BRAND HISTORY

With a desire to energize the community

The history of Aki no Shima no Mi, a project born of the united efforts of citizens, local government, and businesses, has only just begun.

Launched as a regional revitalization project

It all started in 2008. The Yamamoto Club, established to restore devastated farmland and revitalize the local community, focused on olives, which can take advantage of the mild climate of the Seto Inland Sea and are resistant to pests and diseases. In cooperation with the local government, we launched the “AKI no SHIMA no Mi Project” to combat abandoned farmland and revitalize the coastal areas of the islands.

  • 2017
  • 2021

Public-private cooperation through olives

In the project, local government sells saplings to citizens at a low price, and the Yamamoto Club buy the olives grown and harvested by the citizens, a circular cycle that is rare in Japan. We are widely recognized throughout Japan and the world, and various actions are being taken to develop and revitalize the region.

The history of AKI no SHIMA no MI

  • Propose olive promotion as a new specialty for Etajima City.
  • Etajima City Decides to Engage in Olive Business as a Countermeasure for Abandoned Land.
  • Yamamoto Club begins olive cultivation. 900 trees were planted in Ondo and Ohkimi districts.
    Ondo Olive Garden
    Ohkimi Olive Garden
  • Started planning for a municipal olive grove complex to serve as a base for the promotion of olives.
  • Etajima City established a model olive grove for public awareness.
  • Etajima City Launches olive sapling distribution project.
  • Started construction of the municipal olive grove as a government-subsidized project.
  • Etajima Olive Promotion Council established.
  • Established Etajima Olive Co., Ltd.
  • First harvest at Yamamoto Club's farmland.
  • The Promotion Council introduces the first olive oil press in Hiroshima Prefecture. First oil pressing.
  • Municipal olive grove complex “Fukae Olive Garden” Phase 1 construction completed (FY2012).
  • Planting in Fukae Olive Garden (Phase 1).
  • Establishment of the Olive Promotion Office within the Etajima City Hall Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Division.
  • Fukae Olive Garden completed (Phase 2 construction completed) (FY2013)
  • Planting in Fukae Olive Garden (Phase 2)
  • Introduction of olive sapling management system
  • Leased the former site of Okimi Elementary School from Etajima City. Etajima Olive Co., Ltd. begins construction of its own olive oil manufacturing factory.
  • Purchase of olives from growers in Etajima City.
  • Began training to acquire world-standard cultivation and processing techniques.
  • Etajima City Olive Promotion Plan formulated. Aiming to be a unique olive island.
  • Etajima City's Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Division has hired two members of “community-reactivating cooperator squad” to work exclusively with olives.
  • Began importing and cultivating Italian olive sapling stock for the purpose of researching new olive varieties and increasing harvest yields.
  • The oil manufacturing area portion of the Etajima Olive Factory in Ogaki-cho, Etajima City was completed.
  • Extra virgin olive oil made from Hiroshima-grown olives completed.
  • Began production and sale of “AKI no SHIMA no MI, ETAJIMA SHIBORI Premium” and “AKI no SHIMA no MI, ETAJIMA SHIBORI”.
  • Etajima Olive Factory with processing, food and beverage, and store functions was completed.
  • Production and sales of new products to promote Etajima olives (production of “AKI no SHIMA no MI World Collection,” a blend of oils with extra virgin olive oil produced overseas).
  • Started selling “AKI no SHIMA no MI ETAJIMA SHIBORI Premium” at Mitsukoshi Department Store in Nihonbashi, Tokyo.
  • Planned and held the “Etaji-Marche” event based at the Etajima Olive Factory. Participated in planning since then.
  • Opened Imegi Olive Garden.
  • Imported 2,100 olive saplings from Italy.
  • Collaboration with Hiroshima Toyo Carp released.
  • Started handling at iLumine, online shopping of "i-Lumine".
  • Opened Ohara Olive Garden.
  • Expanded plantings at Fukae Olive Garden
  • Began production and sales of “AKI no SHIMA no MI Hot Chili Olive Oil Oil,” a flavored olive oil made with Hiroshima chili peppers.
  • Launch of skin care and body care series using Hiroshima-grown olive oil.
  • Imported 4,000 olive saplings from Italy.
  • Higashikawa Olive Garden begins maintenance using the Interim Agricultural Land Management Project.
  • Set up olive sapling greenhouses.
  • Began production and sales of “AKI no SHIMA no MI Pure Olive Oil,” a cooking olive oil suitable for heating dishes.
  • Launch of “God's Ume Jam” using green ume (Japanese apricot) and AKI no SHIMA no MI extra virgin olive oil, which is free of agricultural chemicals during the cultivation period.
  • ETAJIMA SHIBORI won first place in two categories and second place in overall performance at a contest in Italy, beating out world-renowned producers.
  • Yamamoto Club Co., Ltd. and Etajima Olive Co., Ltd. merged for management rationalization.
  • Pickled olives made from 100% Hiroshima-grown olives are released.
  • Renewal of the logo, packaging, and website for the “AKI no SHIMA no MI” series.
  • Released limited quantities of “freshly pressed” olive oil, which can only be tasted during the harvest season.
  • Began production and sales of “Olive Tea.
  • Outsourced production to a social welfare corporation, Kashinoki, and launched “jam” using seasonal fruits.
  • Launched “Garlic Pure Olive Oil” made by marinating low-odor garlic from Hiroshima Prefecture in pure olive oil.
  • Jointly developed and launched “Oysters in Olive Oil” with Kurahashijima Marine Products Co., Ltd.
  • Chef Natsuko Shoji of été, a French restaurant that is attracting worldwide attention as the first Japanese woman to win the Best Female Chef Award in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2022, supervised the launch of the extra virgin olive oil “Chef's BLEND” is launched.