ENGLISH
Our company was founded in the Senba district of Osaka and has continued to grow steadily for over 75 years as a specialized towel trading firm, even amid he ebbs and flows of economic change. This enduring progress is driven by our meticulous approach to product development and our commitment to generating new demand beyond conventional ideas.
In the 1950s, we were among the first in Japan to import towels from Europe and the United States. Today, premium brands such as JMA from Portugal and IBENA from Germany have earned strong support from our customers. We have also launched original brands in collaboration with designers both in Japan and abroad, expanding the appeal and possibilities of towels.
Our cotton mufflers and Japanese-style towels inspired by tenugui—designed from perspectives beyond just “wiping,” such as “wrapping,” “wearing,” and “adorning”—received the Good Design Award in 2011. In 2020, our cocochiena brand was again honored with the award, and we have also secured patents for our proprietary and innovative manufacturing technologies.
In 2000, we acquired certification for environmental management standards, taking an early lead in eco-conscious towel production. Looking ahead, we aim to offer products and services that not only fulfill tangible needs (mono) but also enrich experiences (koto) and moments in time (toki), contributing to more comfortable lifestyles.
Today, under our renewed concept—“Enriching everyday life,” “Connecting hearts,” and “Creating excitement”—we are committed to value creation as a towel manufacturer that brings small moments of joy and color to daily living. At the heart of this lies our corporate spirit: wholeheartedly dedicated to creating delight.
Guided by our management philosophy of “Delivering joy and inspiration” and “Realizing employee happiness,” we strive to be a company—and individuals—that contribute meaningfully to society, approaching our work with sincerity and warmth, much like “the gentle comfort” of a towel.
- The teachings of our founder: “Never lose sight of your founding spirit” “Harmony and cooperation”
- We pursue customer satisfaction and the well-being of all employees, both materially and spiritually.
- We continuously develop innovative products that bring joy and inspiration to our customers.
- We strive to create a workplace where employees can work with pride and peace of mind.
- Through sound growth and sustainability, we aim to contribute to society.
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We are committed to enhancing quality so that every customer who uses our products is fully satisfied.
Our products are designed to offer lasting comfort and enjoyment, even with everyday use.
As we use cotton—a natural fiber—we are deeply conscious of our coexistence with the global environment. We strive to create products that are gentle on both people and the planet.
| Company name | Nissen Shoko Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Representative | Mr. Taichi Matano, President |
| Capital | JPY ￥100,000,000 |
| Establishment | July 24, 1942 |
| Business conducted | Import/export, overseas operations and domestic wholesale of towels, bath towels, oshibori, sport towels, beach towels, sheets, blankets made of toweling, robes and sleep fashion, towel-related goods, and miscellaneous accessories. |
| Brands | Fila, OLIVE des OLIVE, JMA, IBENA, etc. |
| Employees | 130 Employees (Jan 1, 2019) |
| Wholesale oriented marketing | Through wholesale businesses throughout the country, we work to meet the needs of retail businesses by providing a wide selection of goods, quick delivery, and support, among other services. |
|---|---|
| Retail oriented marketing | We conduct operations such as providing a variety of goods as well as lifestyle suggestions to quickly respond to and meet the needs of department stores, volume sellers, and specialty stores. |
| Overseas-oriented marketing | We distribute high-end Japanese-made towels through retail stores currently centered in Southeast Asia. |
| Mail/Web order oriented marketing | We offer a selection of products in order to respond to our clients’ ever-changing needs in real time. |
| Osaka Head Office | 3-11 Kitakyuhojimachi, 2 Chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0057 Tel : 06 – 6261 – 8251 Fax : 06 – 6264 – 6690 |
|---|---|
| Mino Office | 3-16 Senba Higashi, 2 Chome, Minoh, Osaka 562-0035 Tel : 072 -729 – 7271 Fax : 072 – 728 – 7736 |
| Nichiwa Senba | 1-7 Senba Chuo, 3 Chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka. 541-0055 Tel : 06 – 6252- 6361 Fax : 06 – 6252 – 6362 |
| Tokyo Office | Iwasei Nihonbashi Building 4th Floor, 6-5 Ohdenmacho,
Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0011 Tel : 03 – 5695 – 6221 Fax : 03 – 5695 – 6233 |
| Sapporo Office | 1-3 Kita 5 Joh Nishi, 13 Chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0005 Tel : 011 – 231 – 3061 Fax : 011 – 231 – 3635 |
| Fukuoka Office | Hakata Plaza Bldg No.2 1F,8-3,2-chome Hakataekihigashi,Hakata-ku,Fukuoka 812-0013 Tel:092-482-4567 Fax:092-482-4569 |
| July 24, 1942 | Established as Nissen Mora Products |
|---|---|
| May 30, 1949 | The company name is registered as Nissen Shoko Co, Ltd. |
| February 9, 1953 | Direct export operations begin |
| July 3, 1957 | The headquarters location (Osaka-shi, Nishi-ku, Kita Kyuhouji 2 Chome, 26) is transferred (4-floor, reinforced) |
| February 13, 1960 | The Tokyo Office is established (Tokyo-to, Chuo-ku, Higashi Nihonbashi 2 Chome, 1-13) |
| May 1, 1963 | Direct import operations begin. The start of American-made ‘MARTEX’ brand towels in Japan. |
| October 31, 1963 | Construction of the Tokyo Nissen Building (9 floors, one basement floor, steel-frame, reinforced) |
| October 6, 1965 | Established ‘Thai Towel Co., Ltd.’ (joint venture) in Bangkok, Thailand |
| March 12, 1970 | Nichiwa Senba Center Building is established, opened for business |
| October 1, 1974 | The Minoh Logistics Center is built in Minoh City, Senba Higashi 2 Chome 3-16 |
| March 22, 1976 | Company capital exceeds JPY ￥ 100,000,000 |
| April 1, 1977 | Sale of the Jumbo Ozaki Jumbo Fashion Terry begins |
| September 1, 1978 | 30th anniversary celebration of the Hiroko Koshino brand license |
| April 29, 1979 | Chairman Heizo Matano is decorated with the Fifth Order of Merit for his business services |
| May 10, 1981 | The Fukuoka Office is established |
| July 1, 1987 | The new headquarter building is completed |
| March 9, 1988 | Company tour to Singapore in celebration of the 40th anniversary |
| September 17, 1990 | Remodeling of the Tokyo Office building completed |
| November 19, 1991 | Completion of the Sapporo Office 4-floor building |
| March 11, 1992 | Contracted a licensed agreement for the MCM brand, Michael Cromer Munich (Germany) |
| October 7, 1993 | Company trip to Hawaii in celebration of the 45th anniversary |
| January, 1995 | Contracted a licensed agreement with Katharine Hamnet (Itochu Corporation) |
| February 9, 1995 | Purchase of XIV Shirahama Annex as a recreation center |
| March, 1997 | Completion of additions to the headquarter building |
| March 11, 2000 | ISO14001 Certification received |
| April 21, 2002 | The Tokyo Office moves to Nihonbashi, Odenmacho |
| September, 2003 | Contracted a licensed agreement with Guy Laroche |
| November 3, 2003 | President Fumio Matano is awarded a yellow ribbon in the autumn ‘Houshou’ |
| April 1, 2004 | Contracted a licensed agreement with the Elmer brand (Plazastyle) |
| September 20, 2005 | The Nichwa Office moves to Senba and begins business operations |
| September 5, 2008 | 60th anniversary celebration held at XIV Biwako |
| October 1, 2009 | 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Sapporo Office |
| January, 2010 | Internship training |
| March 19, 2010 | 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Tokyo Office |
| September, 2010 | Internship training |
| 2010 | Contracted a licensed agreement with ROSE HIPS |
| January, 2011 | Mr. Fumio Matano is appointed as company chairman, and Mr. Taichi Matano is appointed as company president |
| April, 2011 | XIV Arima Villa, Grand XIV Naruto purchased and established as recreation centers |
| May, 2011 | 30th anniversary of the Fukuoka Office |
| November, 2011 | The Japanese Style brand receives a 2011 Good Design Award |
| April, 2012 | Chairman Fumio Matano receives both a gold and silver award in the spring ‘Houshou’ |
| September, 2013 | 65th anniversary celebration held at the Yase, Kyoto villa |
| November, 2013 | lllworks brand wins a 2013 Good Design Award |
| November, 2015 | Concluded a licensed agreement for "AVOCA" brand |
| December,2016 | Concluded a licensed agreement for "MERCURYDUO" brand |
| March, 2017 | "Tenshi no gauze" brand won Omotenashi Selection Award 2017 |
| September, 2018 | 70th anniversary of the establishment. Celebration event was held in Fukuoka・Oita in November |
| December, 2018 | Concluded a licensed agreement for "Journal standard furniture" brand |
| September, 2023 | “Kazukuma” brand line begins |
| October, 2023 | New Sales Management System Launches |
| January, 2025 | 20th anniversary of “Japanese Style” brand |
