Japan is home to about 33,000 companies with more than 100 years of history. Many operate in the food and craft industry and are part of Japan's cultural heritage. Unfortuntely, many of these companies are in danger of disapearing. The reason for traditionl companies to close are numerous, but the main two reasons are shrinking domestic markets driven by changing consumer habits and a shrinking population as well as lack of successors.
Our mission at NIHON ICHIBAN is to help preserving such companies by opening up international markets for their products and jointly developing contemporary products. We even aspire to acquire companies without successors. Below is a list of Japanese traditional family businesses sellling their products on NIHON ICHIBAN (in no particular order).
INDEN-YA
Deer Leather Accessories since 1582
EJIMA
Tea since 1662
TAKEDA KAHEI
Tie-Dye Tenugui since 1608
FUJISO
Banko Ware since 1907
IEDA PAPER
Hand-made Paper since 1889
SHINSEIDO
Ink sticks since 1889
HIROTA GLASS
Glassware since 1899
OKUI KAISEIDO
Kombu Seaweed since 1871
RIENZOME
Hand-dyed textiles since 1872
MATSUZAKI
Senbei Crackers since 1870
IICHI MISO
Craft Miso since 1850
NOUSAKU
Metalwork since 1916
ISHIKAWA LACQUER
Lacquerware since 1887
MARUSHO
Vinegar since 1879
CHINRIU HONTEN
Umeboshi since 1871
WADAMAN
Sesame since 1883
KASHIWAGI ART FOUNDRY
Casting since 1702
BENRIDO
Art Printing since 1887
KANEKO KOHYO
Ceramics since 1921
KAGADANE
Monaka Shells since 1877
BEPPU BOXWOOD ATELIER
Boxwood Brushes since 1919
SUGIURA MIRIN
Mirin since 1924
SUEHIRO SOY SAUCE
Soy Sauce since 1879
ANDO CLOISONNE
Cloisonne since 1880
GATO MIKIO
Lacquer Ware since 1908
MORIHAN
Seaweed since 1884
HANANOMAI BREWERY
Sake since 1864
IZUMIBASHI BREWERY
Sake since 1857
NARUMIYA
Senbei Crackers since 1923
SAIKYO MISO
Miso since 1830
YUASA SOY SAUCE
Soy Sauce since 1881
ISHII BREWERY
Sake since 1870
