From a purely culinary perspective, Perus may still be evolving. Within the values of the We’re Smart® Green Guide, however, it deserves attention for its role within one of Japan’s most ambitious sustainability projects. Perus is located at Kurkku Fields in Kisarazu, around an hour from central Tokyo. Spanning approximately 30 hectares, the site brings together organic farming, grazing land, biotopes, composting, solar energy, water purification, education and hospitality. Sustainability is not simply presented as a philosophy here; it is integrated into the infrastructure and daily operation of the entire estate. Chef Akiyuki Yamana works closely with the farm and surrounding landscape, selecting ingredients according to the seasons and what is harvested on site. The short distance between field and kitchen gives the vegetables an exceptional freshness. Italian culinary traditions meet contemporary techniques, fermentation and wood-fire cooking, with vegetables playing a central role throughout the menu. Perus is therefore interesting not only for what is served on the plate, but for the larger ecosystem of which it forms part. Kurkku Fields demonstrates how agriculture, gastronomy, energy and environmental responsibility can be brought together in one ambitious project. For the We’re Smart® Green Guide, this makes Perus a particularly relevant destination in Japan’s evolving sustainable food landscape.
