Underground farm in Japanese office building

MAKE visited the Pasona’s amazing underground farm in Tokyo, here’s a bit about them from “Trend in Japan” and the pictures… –

An underground rice and vegetable field has been planted beneath an office building in Tokyo’s Otemachi business district. This urban farm – in what used to be the vault of a major bank – is maintained using computer-controlled artificial light and temperature management. It was brought into being by a personnel company as a means of providing agricultural training to young people who are having trouble finding employment and middle-aged people in search of a second career.

New Use for Former Bank Vault. The hi-tech vegetable patch, called Pasona O2, is located in the Otemachi Nomura Building in the Tokyo district of Otemachi, where many major corporations have their headquarters. The building, which has 27 floors above ground and five below, used to be home to Tokyo Life Insurance and Resona Bank (formerly Daiwa Bank). But these firms have left, and office space in the building is now leased to several different companies. This project was launched by the temporary staffing agency Pasona Inc. When Pasona moved its headquarters to this building, it decided to lease the second basement floor – formerly the Resona Bank vault – and turn it into a vegetable garden.

Underground farm in Japanese office building – Link & photos.

Special thanks to Chris for suggesting it!