Yoshie Doi

Long-established Kyoto Businesses

1. Founded in 587: Ikenobo Ikebana Association, Flower Arrangement Professor
2. Founded in 771: Genda Paper Co., Ltd., Mizuhiki Motoyui
3. Founded in 806: Denrai Kobo Co., Ltd., Casting
4. Founded in 885: Tanaka Iga Buddhist Altar Goods Store, Buddhist Altar Goods Manufacturing
5. Founded in 1000: Ichimonjiya Wasuke, Japanese Confectionery Manufacturer and Sales (the world’s oldest surviving tea shop)
6. Founded in 1160: Tsuen, Tea Manufacturing
7. Founded in 1184: Kiku Ichimonji, Bladesmith, Imperial Blacksmith for Emperor Go-Toba
8. Founded in 1312: Yaneso, Roof Repair for Cultural Properties
9. Founded in 1333: Inui Daibutsu Hall
10. 1466 Honke Owariya, Soba Sweets
11. 1599 Minatoya Ghost Childcare Ame Honpo
12. 1689 Hanbei Fu
13. Founding year unknown, records date from 1769. Hishiroku Co., Ltd. Koji Seed Shop (Japan’s oldest surviving koji seed shop)

*Denrai Kobo Co., Ltd. Inherited the casting techniques brought back from China by Kobo Daishi (Kukai), and since then, the most skilled disciples have inherited the name “Denrai” for generations, to the present day.

　The long-established businesses companies mentioned above are well known to everyone. Kyoto is known as a city of long-established businesses, which is only natural considering it was the capital for 1,074 years. Unfortunately, however, the number of craftsmen supporting traditional industries is rapidly decreasing, and there are hardly any craftsmen making dye brushes. Furthermore, even though those who are trying to preserve traditional industries on a small scale are working hard every day with great passion, the reality is that they are being replaced by cheaper industrial products, and the harsh reality is that they are being replaced by cheaper industrial products.

　Japan has approximately 45,284 “long-established companies” that have been in business for over 100 years (as of 2025), the most in the world. Many of these are in the manufacturing, wholesale, and retail industries, and many of them continue to operate businesses that are rooted in traditional craftsmanship and the local community. The oldest company in Japan is Kongo Gumi, which was founded in 578.

　Companies that have survived for over 100 years mean that they have been familiar to people’s lives, provided value, and been loved for over 100 years.　However, in recent years, a combination of factors, such as the aging of business owners, a shortage of employees, rising raw material costs, and a slow pace of digitalization, has led to a sharp increase in the number of bankruptcies among long-established companies. As the structure of society rapidly changes, the reality is becoming clear that companies cannot survive simply by having a long history.

　Looking at the number of long-established businesses by prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture (5.26%) is at the top. This is due to the fact that it has been the capital since ancient times, flourished as a central area, and suffered relatively little damage during World War II.

　Nikkei BP Consulting’s Anniversary Business Lab conducted a survey by country to find out how many companies around the world have been in business for over 100 years and over 200 years. Japan ranks first in the world in terms of the number of companies it has. The results showed that nearly half of the world’s companies that have been in business for over 100 years are Japanese companies. Furthermore, for companies that have been in business for over 200 years, this proportion rises to 65%.

 (Continued in the next issue)

The end of document
Translated by Masami Otani

Tweet

Pocket