Sachiumi Heroes: A Seaweed-Powered Revival from the Ocean Floor

On 2025/8/5

What if seaweed could help save the planet and revitalize the local economy?

Meet Sachiumi Heroes, a marine restoration project in Yokohama’s Kanazawa Ward that turns kelp farming into an act of climate action and community empowerment.

In Japan, a growing concern called iso-yake, underwater deserts caused by disappearing seaweed beds, has devastated marine ecosystems. But kelp, a powerful blue-carbon plant, can change that. By working with local fishers to cultivate kelp during the fishing off-season, Sachiumi Heroes helps absorb carbon dioxide, bring back biodiversity, and create jobs—all while building a thriving “underwater town.”

Circularity isn’t just a concept here. It’s in every kelp strand. From delicious kelp products like cookies and ponzu to unexpected collaborations like kelp baths and vegan ramen, the project transforms seaweed into a local treasure that fuels economic, ecological, and social regeneration. It’s ocean care with a splash of fun and flavor.

Sachiumi Heroes: Protecting and Reviving the Ocean through Kelp Farming

https://circular.yokohama/en/projects/sachiumi-heroes/

Asia, blue carbon, Circular economy, circularity, decarbonization, farmiing, Japan, Kanagawa, Kanazawa Ward, kelp, Kelp farming, net zero, ocean environmet, ocean pollution, Pacific ocean, seaweed, sustainable agriculture, Yokohama, zero carbon

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室井梨那（Rina Muroi）

Rina was born and raised in Yokohama, and brings a ENG/JP bilingual edge to the Circular Yokohama team. With a background in second language acquisition and international education, she leads collaborative initiatives and storytelling projects that connect local efforts with global audiences, building friendships through circularity.