Shimokitazawa's Doughnut: A Local Vision

On July 5, 2025,  a "Doughnut Economics Workshop in Daita" was held in Shimokita College in Tokyo's Shimokitazawa district to envision a sustainable future where everyone can thrive. The event brought together around 25 people from diverse backgrounds. Participants included high school students, university students, local gardening community members, fair-trade experts, a local politician, a massage therapist, a farmer, and community managers specializing in placemaking. They all gathered to learn about doughnut economics and explore how its principles could be applied to the local community of Daita and its surroundings.

Creative Ideas from Shimokitazawa
The workshop participants were divided into four themes: Food, Education, Energy & Architecture, and Mobility. Drawing on Shimokitazawa's unique culture, they generated innovative ideas for a more sustainable community. The results of the workshop were illustrated in a graphic recording by Shino Kajita.

Food
The group focused on reducing food waste. Ideas included a "Shimokita Curry" made from misshapen vegetables and a "Shimokita Camp" to help residents become more conscious of their food sources. The group noted that curry, which originally used spices to preserve food, was a perfect fit for the theme and a great complement to the many curry restaurants in the Daita district.

Energy & Architecture
Discussion centered on creating community spaces that foster human connections. A key idea was a "community library where people can recharge," designed not just for books but as a place for residents to gather, charge their devices, and share local information. The community library would be made from bamboo, an abundant material currently encroaching forests in Tokyo.

Education & Health
Participants suggested leveraging the power of local festivals and existing groups like the Shimokita Engeibu, a local gardening community that manages a large area of green spaces in the Daita district and runs local compost bins. By collaborating with Parent-Teacher Associations and other organizations, they envisioned creating educational opportunities that encourage intergenerational exchange and foster a stronger sense of community pride.

Mobility
This group generated some of the most unique proposals. Inspired by the area's green spaces and spontaneous community feel, they envisioned transforming Shimokitazawa into a "car-free town." Their ideas included reducing asphalt to increase green spaces and boost biodiversity, and they even proposed using "horse-drawn carriages" and other slow-mobility options. They described the area as a unique, farm-like location within Tokyo, creating a town that coexists with both humans and animals.

The Next Steps
The workshop was a fantastic opportunity to use doughnut economics as a lens for solving local challenges and building a brighter future. The results are on display for three months at Minna Showten, a store that promotes sustainable products. Furthermore, one of the most promising ideas—the Shimokita Curry—is now being explored as a delicious way to combat food waste.

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The workshop was led by Yu Kato and hosted by Krisna Totani.

Yu Kato has previously hosted a Donut Economics meet-up in Tokyo:
https://doughnuteconomics.org/stories/tokyo-meets-the-doughnut