Backed by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry program, TOJI introduces sake kasu bath powders, made from a nutrient-rich byproduct of sake brewing.

For decades, The Gardener has celebrated the artistry and quiet beauty of Japanese craftsmanship. TOJI represents a wonderful continuation of that tradition”

— Mary Gale Gaintner, Head Buyer

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, August 27, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — TOJI, Inc., a Tokyo-based wellness brand rooted in Japan’s fermentation traditions, today announced the start of full-scale U.S. sales with its first permanent retail placement at The Gardener, the acclaimed Bay Area lifestyle store known for its curated selection of beautifully crafted goods for home and garden.
The launch marks a milestone in TOJI’s U.S. expansion, which began earlier this year when the company was selected for the fourth cohort of Japan Innovation Campus (JIC), a Silicon Valley startup hub established in Palo Alto by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). TOJI was chosen in the program’s healthcare category in recognition of its scientific approach to sake kasu (sake lees) and its potential in the global wellness market. A pop-up store in San Francisco in March drew an enthusiastic local response, paving the way for the permanent partnership with The Gardener.

Rediscovering a Centuries-Old Beauty Secret
At the heart of TOJI’s products is sake kasu— the fermented rice solids left behind when sake is pressed. Long prized in Japan for its skin-softening and moisturizing properties, sake kasu is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and fermentation-derived compounds. For centuries, sake brewers were known for their remarkably smooth hands, a folk observation that modern research has begun to explain.

TOJI has developed a specialized process to transform sake kasu into a fine powder, preserving its beneficial compounds while making it easy to use in everyday self-care. The sake kasu is slowly dried to naturally remove the alcohol, resulting in an alcohol-free powder that can be enjoyed by the whole family, from babies to adults.

MORI, one of TOJI’s signature bath powders featuring hinoki cypress and yuzu essential oils from Kochi Prefecture, is now available at The Gardener — turning an ordinary bath into a restorative ritual inspired by toji (湯治), a centuries-old Japanese tradition of extended stays at onsen retreats for healing and rejuvenation.

“Japan has always understood that beauty and wellness begin with daily rituals — the bath most of all,” said Natsuki Matsuda, Founder and CEO of TOJI, Inc. “We are honored to introduce sake kasu to American customers through The Gardener, a store whose philosophy of craftsmanship and natural living resonates deeply with our own. This is only the beginning of our journey in the U.S.”
“For decades, The Gardener has celebrated the artistry and quiet beauty of Japanese craftsmanship. TOJI represents a wonderful continuation of that tradition — bringing an ancient beauty ritual into thoughtfully designed products,” said Mary Gale Gaintner, Head Buyer. “We’re proud to be TOJI’s first permanent retail partner in the United States.”

A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values
Founded in 1984 by Alta Tingle, The Gardener is a beloved Berkeley lifestyle store known for its thoughtful curation and deep appreciation for Japanese craftsmanship. From Japanese hand-forged tools and Sori Yanagi tableware to vintage Japanese chests, the store offers products that bring beauty and meaning to everyday life.
This shared appreciation for craftsmanship and natural materials made The Gardener a natural partner for TOJI’s first U.S. retail collaboration.

The Gardener
Location: 1836 Fourth St, Berkeley, CA 94710
Instagram: @the_gardener_store

From Silicon Valley to American Homes
Through its base at Japan Innovation Campus, TOJI is building its U.S. team, developing local partnerships, and validating its products with American consumers. Beyond bath and body care, the company is reimagining sake kasu as a plant-based, fermentation-derived ingredient for next-generation health products, with development underway in functional beverages and alternative foods.
TOJI sources ingredients from producers across Japan and manufactures its products domestically, working closely with regional sake breweries, farms, and craftspeople.
TOJI products are also available at toji-japan.com.

About TOJI, Inc.

Founded in 2024 in Tokyo, TOJI is a wellness brand bringing Japan’s time-honored beauty and wellness traditions to modern life. Using sake kasu, a fermented byproduct of sake brewing, TOJI researches its cosmetic and health benefits, and develops products that harmonize it with carefully selected natural ingredients. Through collaborations with regional sake breweries and producers across Japan, TOJI also supports local communities and shares their craftsmanship with a global audience.

TOJI is expanding in the U.S. and welcomes inquiries from lifestyle retailers, hotels, spas, and media interested in partnerships. Contact: info@toji-japan.com

Mie Shimoyama
TOJI Inc.
+61 422 643 214
info@toji-japan.com
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