[Behind the Scenes of the Branch Delivery Service] Like a forest! A report from the fresh green branch shipping site

Everything we can do before shipping to deliver branches in the best possible condition

At SiKiTO's "Branch Subscription Service," all hydration and packaging work from procuring branches to shipping is handled by our in-house staff.

We never outsource to ensure we deliver branches in excellent condition, and we'll introduce you to the continuous improvements we make at our shipping facility.

Our shipping base is located in Heiwajima, Ota Ward, Tokyo, right near Ota Market, Japan's largest flower and plant market. Currently, over 20 staff members work there daily.

While the number of branches purchased continues to increase with our expanding service, our motto remains "meticulous work."

Among the market's "busy days" (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), branches for our subscription service are procured on Mondays and Fridays.

On procurement mornings, numerous branches packed in cardboard boxes arrive from all over the country. There probably aren't many companies in Japan that procure this many branches!

① Unpacking

On this day in mid-May, we received branches such as Enkianthus and Deutzia. We open the tightly packed cardboard boxes and check the quality and quantity.

If the quality isn't up to par, we immediately rush to the market to find additional stock or arrange for other varieties. Working with living things is always a flurry of activity!

② Inspection & Cleaning

Branches cultivated in nature may still have traces of coexisting organisms. We check the underside of the leaves for insects or dirt, and at the same time, we cut off any unwanted side branches (such as thick branches branching out at the base) that would interfere with arranging them in a vase.

These side branches are actively repurposed as "branch bouquets" sold at EDA STAND, etc. We are committed to initiatives that minimize waste as much as possible.

③ Hydration

These branches have been transported without being submerged in water. We quickly re-cut the stems, let them absorb a hydration accelerator, and then place them in buckets. You can see the branches quickly absorbing water and revitalizing. Depending on the variety, we sometimes use a hammer instead of shears! Increasing the surface area helps them absorb water more easily. During periods when insects are active, we spray natural insect repellent.

④ Set Assembly

Next, we bundle the branches according to the number per order. On this day, we bundled three Hime Mizuki branches per set.

Even for the same variety delivered on the same day, the branch shape and leaf distribution can vary depending on the producer and region, so we assemble them to ensure consistent volume.

After hydrating thoroughly for half a day to a full day, the branches are placed in a plastic bag with water mixed with an activating agent, tied with hemp string to prevent leakage, and then wrapped tightly with stretch film. This process requires effort and strength, but we are committed to delivering them in water to maintain freshness.

However, no matter how much effort we put in, individual differences in living branches are unavoidable. To ensure you can use them with peace of mind, we offer replacements if the condition deteriorates immediately after delivery.

The Heiwajima base, always bustling with staff who all "love branches," is a lively place. Today, too, they are working diligently to bring joy to our customers.

Staff Interview

Sumi: It's deeply moving to see our branch subscription service grow from scratch to a service sought after by customers nationwide in about two years.

All of us here are truly happy to be involved in a job where we earnestly work with "branches," hydrating them to breathe life into them, and finding healing ourselves, all while eagerly anticipating how our customers will cherish them!

Inano: I work each day as if I'm choosing a gift, imagining where and how the branches will be displayed. It's a joyful moment when I see wonderful posts or receive comments on Instagram, making me glad to be part of this job.

I, myself, am invigorated by a workplace filled with seasonal branches.

枝もの定期便｜自宅で待つだけ、飾るだけ。

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