BENTO PROJECT
Japanese Food × Sustainability × Community
How NZ’s BENTO PROJECT is Shaping the Future of Our Planet
About Bento Project
Get to Know Us
Bento Project is a community-based initiative founded in Christchurch, New Zealand.
We share authentic Japanese bento culture with a focus on sustainability, using local organic ingredients to create eco-friendly meals.
Our mission is to connect people, cultures, and the Earth through food.
Our Vision
Bento Project aims to grow into a nonprofit organization supporting environmental and social good initiatives.
By sharing Japanese sustainable food culture, we hope to inspire actions that protect nature and foster inclusive communities around the world.
![IMG_0953[1].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fccfcb_ccb77490793c478c871e9e54de6e0d7c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_543,h_362,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/fccfcb_ccb77490793c478c871e9e54de6e0d7c~mv2.jpg)
Our Philosophy
The profits earned through the activities of the BENTO PROJECT are used to cover event operation costs and are also donated to organisations tackling environmental issues and to support communities in poverty.
At BENTO PROJECT, we believe that food is more than just something to fill our stomachs – it is a way to care for people, communities, and the Earth.
We aim to create a society where every meal becomes an opportunity to make kinder choices for the planet. By sharing authentic Japanese bento made with local and organic ingredients, we hope to inspire actions that protect nature and support those in need.
Our bento is not only about taste and nutrition. It carries a message:
“Even a small action, like choosing what we eat, can create a better future for our world.”
Through our activities, we will continue to:
• Connect people across cultures with the warmth of Japanese food
• Promote sustainability in everyday life
• Support communities by giving back to those who need it most
Together, let’s take small steps towards a happier, healthier planet – one bento at a time.
What We Do
Eco Bento Sales & Events
Authentic Japanese bento made with NZ local ingredients, served at community festivals and markets.
Workshops & Education
Hands-on events teaching food sustainability, Japanese culture, and environmental awareness.
Food Donation Programs
Participation in Onigiri Action, providing meals to children in need globally.
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Our Achievements
October 2024:
Participated in Japan Fiesta (Christchurch,New Zealand)
March 2025:
Returned to Japan Fiesta(Christchurch,New Zealand)
Upcoming Events
Meet the Founder
My name is TAKA(KURETAKA KOMOTO)
Bento with Purpose: Good for You, Good for the Earth
Originally from Hyogo, Japan, Taka is a chef currently based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
He is a former member of the Chiiki Okoshi Kyoryokutai (Regional Revitalisation Team) in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.
Driven by his desire to “create more earth-friendly choices through food,” Taka runs Bento Projecto, offering authentic Japanese bento made with local organic ingredients, as well as hosting food education events.
After managing his own restaurant in Japan, he moved to New Zealand to learn about different approaches to food and environmental consciousness abroad. His passion for travel has taken him on adventures such as cycling across Japan and New Zealand, and riding a motorbike around Australia.
Now, he is expanding his activities internationally under the theme of “Food × Environment × Education,” connecting people, communities, and the planet through his work.
“Through cooking, I believe we can all take more eco-friendly actions.”
Having operated his restaurant in Japan, Taka moved to New Zealand in search of safe, trustworthy ingredients and a way of living in harmony with nature. Inspired by the vast natural landscapes he encountered during his travels, he began to ask himself what he could do as a chef to help protect this precious environment.
For Taka, bento is a symbol of Japanese food culture that allows people to enjoy seasonal ingredients and beautiful presentation, while being easy to carry anywhere. With the support of volunteers, he continues to hold events and market stalls, using bento to build community connections and spread “the first small steps toward eco-friendly living through Japanese food.”
