The PennZone

TOKYO, Japan - PennZone -- Tobu Railway and Tobu Hotel Management have begun collaborating with Spice Cube. The latter is a start-up company that provides commercial support for plant factories and designs and develops agricultural equipment. Jointly, on September 1, 2022, they initiated trial operations of a vegetable plant factory creating photosynthesis with LED light at the Verdure restaurant in the Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo.

This project aims to increase the quality of the hotel restaurant by using a verifiable hydroponic system that can stably provide a wide variety of superior fresh vegetables not readily available in the market for restaurant use. In fact, there are 35 kinds of seedlings including kale and red mustard greens. This near-future style of agriculture has been installed in a visible location where restaurant guests can see the incubating plants. "I want our patrons to enjoy the crispiness of fresh leafy greens and the natural taste of vegetables without any bitterness," said Hideyuki Hayashi, Executive Chef, from Tobu Hotel Management.

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In addition, to its in-house produced vegetables, Verdure also serves up plant-based meat dishes. Customers can enjoy meals with a high level of meat flavor and texture, in healthy, eco-friendly vegetarian selections.

This is the fourth project adopted under the "TOBU Open Innovation Program," a business co-creation program utilizing open-call innovation ideas that have been implemented by the Company since November 2021. The intended outcome is to increase the added value of the facilities owned by the group member companies and further the possibility of creating new businesses.

Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo and Area Attractions

Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from JR Kinshicho Station, where the surrounding area is still full of a historic, downtown atmosphere. TOKYO SKYTREE® can be viewed from some guest rooms and the Ren Restaurant & Bar. The Verdure restaurant offers all-day lavish buffets prepared right in front of guests. The nearby Sumida Hokusai Museum, which exhibits a collection of works by world-renowned ukiyo-e artist Katsuhika Hokusai (1760-1849), is a must visit. And the Ryogoku Kokugikan, home to the Tokyo sumo tournaments, is walking distance. Kokugikan hosts national sumo tournaments three times a year in January, May and September. You can also venture out and explore TOKYO SKYTREE® in person! The world's tallest freestanding broadcast tower offers tours, exhibition floors, shopping, and spectacular views. Also checkout unique Japanese contemporary and cultural gifts at Tokyo Solamachi. This large complex features 300 established and original shops and restaurants, plus an entire floor of souvenir shops offering character goods, interior design and snacks.

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About Tobu Railway

TOBU Railway Co., Ltd. is a major Japanese corporation consisting of approximately 80 companies. The Tobu Railway covers the longest operating distance in Metropolitan Tokyo, leading to numerous tourist attractions including: Asakusa and TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN in Tokyo; Nikko and Kinugawa-Onsen, famous for its world heritage sites and hot springs; the Tatebayashi and Ashikaga areas, known for their blooming flower fields; and Kawagoe and Tochigi City, where the atmosphere of the old Edo era lives on. Tobu is also invested in a portfolio of hotels, including the newly opened The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko and FUFU Nikko Onsen Resort.