MEET THE FOUNDER
Hi, I'm Hitomi.
I'm a Certified Gut Health Advisor (腸活アドバイザー®), founder of Koji and More, and a Japanese fermentation specialist based in California.
My passion for fermentation and gut health deepened after losing my brother to colon cancer in 2024 and experiencing my own digestive and stress-related health challenges. As I searched for ways to support my health, I found myself returning to the traditional Japanese foods I grew up with—simple home-cooked meals, seasonal ingredients, and fermented foods such as miso, koji, and amazake.
Today, I share Japanese fermentation through workshops, recipes, educational content, and cultural experiences, with the goal of making these traditions accessible and enjoyable for people around the world.
WHAT WE DO
Workshops & Classes
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In-person and online fermentation workshops
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Japanese cooking classes featuring fermented seasonings
Recipes & Content
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Koji seasoning tutorials and resources
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Gut health and Japanese food culture education
Japanese Cultural Experiences
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Visits to miso, soy sauce, sake, and koji producers and educational fermentation tours in Japan
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Japanese cultural and food-focused events
Community & Collaboration
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Partnerships with fermentation producers and food brands
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Educational and cultural exchange projects
COLLABORATION
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with:
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Miso, soy sauce, sake, vinegar, and other fermentation producers
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Healthy food brands and ingredient companies
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Cultural organizations
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Educational institutions
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Wellness and health-focused businesses
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Media and content projects
Possible collaborations include:
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Workshops and classes
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Recipe development
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Product demonstrations
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Educational content creation
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Cultural exchange programs
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Interviews and speaking engagements
If you are interested in working together, we'd love to hear from you! >> Contact us
COOKING WITH PURPOSE
OUR PHILOSOPHY
All classes are hosted through Humanitix, a nonprofit platform that donates 100% of booking fee profits to support disadvantaged children around the world.
To further support this mission, KOJI & More covers 50% of the booking fees — so every reservation contributes to a greater impact.
We believe food should nourish not only ourselves, but also the communities around us.
At Koji and More, we believe that food is one of the most powerful tools we have to support our health, preserve culture, and connect with one another.
Inspired by traditional Japanese food wisdom, we encourage a return to simple home cooking, seasonal ingredients, fermented foods, and mindful eating habits.
Our goal is to make Japanese fermentation approachable and practical for everyday life through education, recipes, workshops, and cultural experiences.
We envision a future where more people can enjoy the benefits of nourishing foods while appreciating the traditions and craftsmanship behind them.
LET'S CONNECT!
Follow along for recipes, workshops, fermentation tips, and collaborations.
