By students of Keio University formed in 1999, Pepin began to expand from a student group with the help of ST Spot in Yokohama, near their campus. They won an award for "Tokyo Rice" in 2002 where they gained instant recognition.
This "Tokyo Rice" story is about three sons return after their father pasted away and pull together to save his poor rice shop in Nippori. Then Yanagiko comes, a girl who can "lay" rice. In an attempt to promote their new product "Tokyo Rice" the three sons decide to live with Yanagiko and her sister Toki soon comes to their house… This production is praised for its humor and cast a critical eye on society with experimental theater in mind. Written by Natsuki Ishigami, awarded for promoter in a young directors' prize in 2002, an outstanding young writer active also in directing and acting.