EAT | 'Chikyu Sodachi Shiawase Banana®,' Cultivated at Extreme Altitudes, Launches

EAT | Jiro Ishikawa and Nendo Oki Sato Discuss Bananas

Introducing "Chikyu-Sodachi Shiawase Banana®": The Ideal Banana, Perfectly Cultivated at Extreme Altitudes

When savored slowly, the banana's unique sweet aroma fills the mouth, complemented by a firm, dense flesh.—Unifrutti Japan, known for "Chiquita Banana" and involved in fruit import and sales, has launched its first original brand: "Chikyu-Sodachi Shiawase Banana®," a banana cultivated at extreme altitudes. To commemorate its release at Isetan Shinjuku Store's basement fresh food section and other locations—available daily in limited quantities for ¥2,160 per pack of three—a talk show was held featuring Jiro Ishikawa, who named the product and served as the founding editor-in-chief of magazines like POPEYE and Tarzan, and Oki Sato, representative of the design office nendo, who designed the packaging.

Photographs by Shimpei SuzukiText by Makoto Kajii (OPENERS)

Bananas Grown Large and Plump at High Altitudes

"Chikyu-Sodachi Shiawase Banana®" is cultivated at altitudes above 1,000 meters on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, a prime banana-growing region. It is produced on a select few farms, accounting for a mere 0.185% of all banana plantations.

Unifrutti, with its deep understanding of bananas, believed that 800 meters was the limit for stable banana cultivation. Yet, these bananas, grown large and plump on farms exceeding this altitude, undergo a special ripening process by Japanese artisans, ensuring thorough sweetening down to the core. "Chikyu-Sodachi Shiawase Banana®" embodies the ideal banana, not only in quality but also through sustainable agriculture that considers the natural environment, ecosystem, and workers of the Philippines.

Bananas Still Bring Happiness—Jiro Ishikawa

At the start of the talk show with Oki Sato, who designed the packaging for this high-altitude cultivated banana named "Chikyu-Sodachi Shiawase Banana®," Ishikawa shared, "When I was asked to name this banana, I immediately decided on 'Shiawase Banana' (Happy Banana). For my generation (born in 1941), bananas were a symbol of aspiration during Japan's post-war poverty. Holding a banana brought such a happy feeling, stemming from those memories."

Responding to Ishikawa's remark, "I never imagined Oki Sato-san would take on that naming," Sato continued, "From the name 'Shiawase Banana,' which is simple yet conveys the essence, I considered how to present this banana."

Let the Banana Speak for Itself—Oki Sato

"This banana is also particular about its growing environment. While it's expensive, we can't put it in a paulownia box (laughs). So, I thought, let's design the sticker itself. When you peel back the sticker, it tells the story of this banana, and when you unfold the packaging, it becomes a banana leaf with detailed explanations on the back," Sato explained.

Ishikawa praised, "Sato-san's ideas are truly remarkable. When I founded Brutus in 1983 and, in issue 64, created a groundbreaking, full-issue feature on design, sending our editorial team to Italy, we were fortunate enough to interview the great designer Bruno Munari. He said, 'The ultimate masterpiece for orange juice packaging is the orange itself.' Seeing the packaging for 'Chikyu-Sodachi Shiawase Banana®,' I was reminded of his words."

Chikyu-Sodachi Shiawase Banana®
Contents: 3 bananas per pack
Suggested Retail Price: ¥2,160
Retailer: Isetan Shinjuku Store, Basement Fresh Food Section, and others
Sales Quantity: Limited quantity daily

Unifrutti Japan Customer Service
0120-830-720
(Reception hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
http://www.unifrutti.co.jp/