Located close to the city center and at the gateway to the nature-rich Maruyama area, just a five-minute walk from Maruyama Koen Station on the subway, was the bustling, long-established marketplace Maruyama Ichiba, which was once known as the "kitchen of the local residents" (after it closed, it was reopened on a smaller scale as Mini Maru Ichiba).

Right next to the market is "Raruhata," a store that sells organic produce and additive-free foods. It has been in business for about 40 years and has been loved by locals for two and three generations of parents and children. The store, whose name means "LOVE + do," has continued to help enrich people's lives through food, while watching over the bustle and changes in the Maruyama area.

A story that began with a mobile sales business

"Laruhata" was founded in 1986, when organic vegetables were still considered rare. At first, they did not have a brick-and-mortar store, but delivered vegetables to customers as a mobile sales style. It was three years later that they opened a store.

At the same time, the Chernobyl nuclear accident across the ocean was a catalyst for raising awareness of food safety in Japan. People who felt a sense of crisis started to take action, such as "Let's make safe products" and "Let's buy and protect our own food."

The founder, Sachiko Hashimoto, went on to become independent after working at Yumeya, a pioneering organic greengrocer in Shiroishi Ward, selling organic produce from a handcart. Her mission to support organic farmers who work in the fields every day to grow safe crops forms the foundation of Laruhata.

Taking over the role after "helping out"

Mahoro Hashimoto, who took over as the store's representative from her mother, the store's founder, in 2022, spoke to us with a warm smile throughout the conversation. She says that she first became involved with the store after being asked to "help out" during a busy season.

"I'm helping my parents, so when the burden increases, it's hard to quit..." Hashimoto frankly admitted that she had negative feelings at first.

"When I actually started helping out, I really enjoyed serving customers. The products were things I had eaten at home, so it was fun to introduce them to customers, and being able to recommend them with confidence made the job more interesting little by little."

The worries I had before I got involved seemed to disappear as I got involved in the practical aspects of the project.

The criteria are things that I love for their particularities and philosophy.

When you step into "Raru Farm," the first thing that catches your eye is the seasonal organic vegetables. Tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkin, lotus root, peanuts, sweet potatoes, potatoes, etc. As the seasons change, colorful vegetables and fruits are lined up, from spring to autumn, Hokkaido vegetables, and from outside Hokkaido during the cold, harsh winter.

"Laruhata" started out by selling a limited number of organic vegetables. In the early days, the store, which was run in parallel with the mobile sales, was not well known, and most of the customers who came to the store were people who had purchased vegetables from the mobile sales.

As times change, lifestyles become more diverse. When it became difficult for customers to wait at home for deliveries, they started focusing on increasing their product lineup. They have made efforts to create an atmosphere that is welcoming to local people.

The criteria for lining the store are "simply delicious" and "love the attention to detail." "When I talk to producers, even if they are producing organic or additive-free foods, which require more effort than regular products, I can sense their determination to devote their lives to this profession, and I am often drawn to that kind of passion and philosophy," says Hashimoto.

Creating a space that values relationships

Today, the store is packed with nearly 2,000 products, including not only organic vegetables, but also essential seasonings for everyday cooking, dried foods such as noodles, refrigerated and frozen goods, alcohol, and daily necessities, making it a place where you can enjoy making new discoveries.

"There are some products that I've been using since there were only a few of them, so I can't just get rid of them, and I want to continue doing business with them for as long as possible."

Although seasonal products may change, once you start a relationship, you take the time to treasure it. This is a value that Laruhata has long held dear.

Towards a "local shop" rooted in the community

Things that are easy on the body and the environment, things made from simple ingredients, things that are useful for living comfortably, things that you won't find at your average supermarket... There are many things at "Raruhata" that have been collected through the interests and curiosity of Hashimoto and the other staff members.

"We gradually started selling things that we thought were interesting or delicious, but since many of our staff like alcohol, we've noticed that we're now stocking more and more snacks," says Hashimoto with a laugh.

The number of unique products has increased, and customers have commented that they are "interesting." There are also more and more people who take their time to look around the store, and more young people, regardless of gender, are visiting the store.

"I want to aim to create a local store that sells products not from mass production, but from small, hard-working local manufacturers. I would be happy if it could become a place like a 'roadside station' that is exciting for both myself and my customers."

Putting "seasonal taste" and "spirit" into your meals

In 2016, Hashimoto-san began selling his long-held dream of making "Raru Gohan" bento lunches and side dishes. Using ingredients and seasonings sold at "Raru Batake", three people, including Hashimoto-san's sister, Chef Hashimoto, plan and cook the menu on a daily basis. You can enjoy "freshly made" meals that are carefully handmade every morning.

"If all the things on display in the store were raw vegetables, we would have to say, 'Please do your best to cook them and eat them.' But everyone is so busy these days, isn't it? That's why we wanted to make it easier for people to eat. Some people have told us directly that 'eating Raru Gohan saved me when I was having a hard time at work,' and it made me happy to know that our food was reaching them."

Hashimoto's words were filled with "respect for the producers and manufacturers who passionately produce crops and processed foods," as well as warm feelings toward people and society, such as "I hope that the ingredients and bento boxes that nourish the body and soul can contribute to a healthier and more peaceful world, even if just a little."

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オーガニック・自然食品専門店「らる畑」
住所：北海道札幌市中央区大通西23丁目2-25 ラメール円山1F
電話番号：011-614-2406
アクセス：地下鉄東西線「円山公園駅」より徒歩6分程度
HP：https://rarubatake.com/
SNS：https://www.instagram.com/rarubatake/
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