Our Story
Our Founding Spirit
UTokyo Bakers' Lab was founded in winter 2025 to solve the "Bakery 2024 Problem."
Japanese bakeries today face many challenges, but their essence is not yet well understood.
Guided by Gauguin's question "Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?", we work with a view toward bread's past, present, and future.
Our Mission
"Redefining Japanese food culture, centered on bakeries"
This is our philosophy. Domestic wheat has long been said to be scarce, unstable in quality, and difficult to handle.
But is this really true? Through listening to wheat, dialoguing with it, and embracing its regional character, we reframe food not as "consumption" but as "relationship."
Three Projects
Activities spanning past, present, and future
Bakery 2024 Problem Definition Committee
Reexamining the industry today through bread history. Publishing books and conducting PR activities to spread know-how from ZOPF and Prologue and define industry challenges.
22nd Century Bread Committee
Elevating Japanese bread culture to global 'BUNKA'. Promoting Japanese bread culture worldwide through overseas training and strategic PR, transforming it into a culture that will last 100 years.
Wheat Festival Management Project
Participating in Wheat Festival management with cooperation from NPO Shin-Mugi Collection. Responsibly managing to include bakeries and ramen shops from various regions.
Our Values
On-Site Focus
We don't stop at theory. We visit actual bakeries and value hearing from the field.
Passion & Integrity
We hold deep love for bread and Japanese food culture, and face it with sincerity.
Community
As a newly-born organization, we create our culture together with all members.
Long-term Vision
To create culture that will last 100 years, we pursue long-term value over short-term gain.
Our Journey
From our founding in 2025 to now, and beyond
Initiative
Hiroaki Ikeda and the founding president initiated the project
Club Launched
Officially started activities as UTokyo Bakers' Lab
Wheat Festival Joint Participation (Scheduled)
Scheduled to participate in Wheat Festival with NPO Shin-Mugi Collection
European Bread Training (France) Scheduled
Promoting Japanese bread culture globally through on-site training in France
Activity Information
Regular Meetings
Once a week if you are to join as a core member.
Location
Komaba Campus (Online participation available)
Bakery Visits
Weekly pace (Over 10 visits in Dec-Jan alone)
Membership Benefits
- Learn from actual bakeries in the field
- Participate in practical projects like book publishing and event management
- Deep learning environment about domestic wheat and food culture
- International opportunities like France training programs
- Meet companions with diverse backgrounds
- Real experience tackling social issues
Create Culture Together?
As a newly-born organization,
we can create this organization's culture together