5ivePlanets is increasing local food production capabilities through our AquaPonics demonstration and education programs.    We offer tours of our demonstration unit and consulting and design services for schools and hotels wishing to establish their own systems. The amazing yields of Aquaponic systems is being proven in small urban spaces around the world.

AquaPonics is a state-of-the-art growing system, combining aqua-culture (growing fish in tanks as a food source) with hydroponics (growing vegetables in nutrified water, without soil).   The fish raised in tanks provide highly fertilized waste water which is fed to the plants as nutrition.  The plants in turn filter  and aerate the water which is returned to the fish as clean water.

To bring this technology to the community of Asahi Ward in Yokohama City, we have created a demonstration unit in the 5iveplanets Interpretive Center.  This domestic scale system is in a small greenhouse attached to the main home and can easily be maintained by a family to provide fresh, organic and safe food year round.  Please Contact Us for tours and more information.

Our unique design, The Aquaponic Home; Domestic food Production System received the prestigious Eco Japan Cup 2010 Design Award.

(Aquaponic Home images © Jacob Reiner 2010)

In order to allow our members to share information and learn from each other we have aso set up an interactive members site at http://www.5iveplanets.ning.com. Become a members and meet our community!

Buy a Koi Nobori and send us an email via message2Tohoku@gmail.com with a message you would like to send to children who are living in shelters in the affected prefectures. Our volunteers will write your message on a white Koi Nobori and we will fly it in Yokohama’s Port on

Some well-known environmentalists have speculated that by 2050, if we don’t change current lifestyle and development trends that we may need the equivalent of 5 planets or more to support the growing demands we are placing on our fragile Earth. This is not an assessment backed by solid science but

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The Headquarters of 5ivePlanets is a house in Asahi-ku, Yokohama generously donated by the Ogura Family. The Center which is due to open in May 2011, will feature an interpretive center introducing the potential of aquaponics and biochar as technologies that have the potential to enhance food production capacity in