In Japan, train station allotments let commuters garden on the move

The Soradofarm scheme is placing allotments on top of train stations, to allow commuters to more seamlessly fit growing their own vegetables into their busy lifestyles.

Rooftop gardens are not only a solution to enabling space-scarce cities to create produce locally, but — when combined with specific venues — can be especially convenient, such as Dakboerin‘s farms atop restaurant kitchens in the Netherlands. Now Japan’s Soradofarm scheme is placing allotments on top of train stations, to allow commuters to more seamlessly fit growing their own vegetables into their busy lifestyles.

Developed in collaboration with station entertainment company Ekipara and JR East trains, there are currently five Soradofarms located across the country’s rail network. The largest, which is part of the Ebisu Green Garden space on top of the JR Ebisu station in Tokyo, is 161 meters squared and is open to anyone, whether they’re skilled at farming or not. For the basic price of JPY 100,440 a year, users get a 3 meters squared section along with use of garden tools and equipment, but can pay more to have their plots weeded regularly as well as expert advice.

JR East has plans to open up an allotment service on top of or near to each one of its stations in Japan in the coming years. Could this project work in your part of the world?