About sonomono company and its core values

In sonomono, we believe in the value of real things,
healthy products without unnecessary fillers and additives.

We make products for people who desire to live naturally. Because food is the source of a healthy life,
we focus on quality ingredients and top nutrition.

Fermented food trusted by Japanese people as a source of health and longevity, made with pesticide-free ingredients.

Each one of our products is time-trusted, enhanced by top-notch technology, and retains all its original nutrients.

By purchasing ingredients from local farmers,
we contribute to sustainable development and culture preservation.

A steady economic cycle prevents people from leaving the countryside and helps to preserve Japanese nature-love culture for future generations.

A new model for regional revitalization.
Connecting people by health.

We collaborate with producers, local governments, and researchers in diverse projects that enhance people’s health, countryside natural resources, and local culture. Through food science, we aim to create a “new model of life” that showcases countryside life’s bounties and attracts people from the cities.

Vision

Income for producers and health for users.
We aim to create value in the countryside and revitalize its economy.

There is an overconcentration of people and resources in the urban centers affecting living conditions in the countryside. The joint work of local governments, private companies, and residents is necessary to reverse this situation and create sustainable development.

In sonomono, we want to be part of the solution to this problem.

One way to support local farmers is by creating a stable income for their products. We contribute to regional revitalization by purchasing raw materials from local producers and manufacturing products appealing to new domestic and international markets.

Concept

1. Whole food without additives is the best option for the body.: We use just pure and natural ingredients in our products.
Japan has a rich heritage of agricultural, marine, and fermented food produced with natural ingredients. We think it is worthwhile to commercialize those products in their purest form without additives, conservatives, and GMOs.
2. We work for preserving the Japanese countryside lifestyle.: People are leaving the countryside because there is no market for their products. We want to support local producers by purchasing their products, raising awareness of its benefits to our customers, and promoting the beauty of the rural landscape.
3. The best products from Japan to the world.: Exceptional goods are produced in harmony with nature by passionate people.

Corporate logo

A vibrant countryside embodied in a image

A field: Agriculture
The sea: Seafood
A road: The future
The sun: Japan
Sunbeams: Fermented food

The five main design elements of our logo convey an ideal image of the countryside bounties.
It also symbolizes nature as the source of human wellness.

The field symbolizes sustainable agriculture and safe products. It comes in contact with the sea, creating a life cycle.
The road’s shape resembles SONOMONO’s initial S, creating a connection between marine and agricultural products and an open road to the future. The mountains and the house symbolize countryside nature and its people. The sun represents Japan and its millenary food tradition. Finally, the sunbeams represent the power of fermentation to create safe and healthy food.

A New Model or Social Development

Supporting local producers

There is a producer-consumer gap hurting both sides. We select and purchase agricultural products, marine products, fermented food, and other goods from local producers. We keep their properties unadulterated and commercialize them through diverse sales channels in Japan and overseas.

Using the Internet and other media, we endeavor to transmit the image of countryside life and its goodness to a wide audience. We expect this action will motivate people to visit rural Japan and experience its rich nature and traditions.

By linking local producers with new customers, we aspire to create an economic synergy that will revitalize the Japanese countryside and bring wellness to people in Japan and overseas.

1 “Sonomono News” is our official information channel.

About sonomono® products

What kind of product is really good for your body?
For us, there is just a right answer
Products free of preservatives and additives

We create products that you can use every day with peace of mind.

To reduce cost, many products contain additives, preservatives, bulking agents, colorants, artificial sweeteners, flavor enhancers, fragrances, etc. You will never find any of them in our products.

You shouldn’t use something that damages your body day after day, your health is priceless.

Your body is wise, some signs of discomfort may be caused by your daily meals or supplements.

We want to follow nature’s wisdom. As humans, we have thrived by eating natural foods for a long time. We believe that wholesome food is the source of a healthy body.

For this reason, we develop products that can be consumed for a lifetime and keep natural food properties.

OUR quality STANDARD

All our products meet the following criteria.

TM sonomono
natto bacteria

Preservatives free

Sugar-free

non-GMO

Vegan

Company Profile

Company name	sonomono Inc. (Japanese: そのもの株式会社）
Address	2-16-26 Kego, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka, Japan ARK M’s-1 Bldg. 701 Apt. 810-0023
Established	March 13, 2017
Capital	10 million yen
Business lines	Planning, development, and sales of foods, health foods, traditional crafts, etc.
Number of employees	10

Board members

Representative Director: Tetsuro Maeda
CEO: Emi Hidaka
NR/Supplement Advisor certified by the Japan Clinical Nutrition Association and Fermented Food Sommelier certified by the Fermentation Culture Promotion Organization
Production and Development Advisor: Ayako Miyanohara
Academic Advisor: Kazuya Ogasawara
Scientist / Graduated from Kumamoto Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Education / Research and development of functional food raw materials such as nattokinase / 35 years of research and development of microbiology, fermentation, and enzyme science mainly for natto bacteria.

Advisory board members

Shunsuke Managi: Ph.D. in Economics / Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University / Director of Urban Research Center, Kyushu University / United Nations SDGs Representative of “New National Wealth Report” / Youngest Member of Japan Academic Conference.
Teruaki Mori: Graduated from Tohoku University School of Medicine / University of Toyama Pharmaceutical School / Certified Specialist of Japan Neurosurgery Association / Former Japan Table Tennis Association National Team Doctor / National Hospital Organization Nishibeppu Hospital Honorary Director / Social Medical Corporation Keiwakai Advisor / Former Director of Yufuin Welfare Pension Hospital / Certified Sports doctor.
Takehiko Fujino: Doctor of Medicine / Graduated from Kyushu University School of Medicine / Department of Internal Medicine / Cardiology / Professor Emeritus of Kyushu University / Chairman of Medical Corporation Books.
Yasufumi Murakami: Doctor of Pharmacy / Completed doctoral course at Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University / Professor, Tokyo University of Science / Secretary, Genome Drug Discovery and Medical Forum.
Kazuko Sato: Excretion / Geriatric Nursing Scientist / Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University of Design / Graduated from Faculty of Economics, Hosei University / Graduated from Aichi University of Education / Former Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University Former Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Seitoku University / Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Seitoku University.
Hiroaki Masuyama: Representative Director of Symbiosis Solutions Co., Ltd./Editor of “Patent Shikiho” / Representative Director of Japan Agricultural Frontier Development Organization.
Mitsuo Koga: Koga Management Research Institute Co., Ltd. Representative Director / Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Creative Technology R & D Expense Subsidy Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Judging Committee Jury / Kumamoto Prefecture Industrial Policy Advisor Kyushu Prefecture Policy Advisor.
Yuichi Hasegawa: Hasegawa Co., Ltd. / Japan New Business Council Federation 2nd Chairman / Tokyo University of the Arts “Hasegawa Award for Buddha” Foundation.

Company History

2017.03	Company establishment.
2017.12	Launched natto capsules.
2018.05	Launched natto powder.
2018.06	Launched mulberry leaves tea.
2018.12	Started selling Hakata-ori pouch (our first traditional craft product).
2019.06	Natto snacks crowdfunding project (927% of crowdfunding goal achieved).
2019.08	Launched natto snack.
2019.09	Started overseas sales in Singapore.
2019.11	Concluded a comprehensive cooperation agreement between Kohoku Town, Saga Prefecture, and the Kohoku Town Organic Study Group.
2020.05	Started sales operations in the United States
2020.05	Launched of “Natto Chocolate ZERO”. Developed in collaboration with a renowned chocolate shop.
2020.11	Started natto capsules clinical trial called: Kohoku Town Health Project.
2021.11	Presentation of results of the Kohoku Town Health Project.
2022.09	An article on sonomono Bacillus natto health effects was published in the international academic journal “Nutrients”.
2023.07	Introducing overseas efforts Featured on NHK Good Morning Japan due to our efforts disseminating natto overseas(national coverage)
2023.08	Winner of Gold Award in Immunology/Nutritional Balance Category of The Wellness Food Awards 2023
2023.08	Achieved 1st and 2nd place in the Health and Wellness category of Amazon US JAPAN STORE, first semester of 2023
2023.08	Awarded The Best Buy Award by the prestigious product review magazine LDK
2024.02	Won the Excellence Award at the 2024 Cool Japan Platform Awards, sponsored by the Cabinet Office

About us

A new model for regional revitalization.Connecting people by health.