History

Establishment
(of a business, etc.)

Growth in manufacturing, wholesale and OEM

In 1952, the founder, Shoichi Kawakoshi, established Kotobuki Seika Co., Ltd. and started manufacturing and wholesaling tourist souvenirs, starting from the production of caramels and candy balls. The company faced some difficulties, such as the burning down of the head office factory and the voluntary recall of “Tsurushi persimmon,” a souvenir for tourists, but all employees worked together under the management philosophy and overcame these difficulties. The company built on its current foundation by launching “Inaba no Shiro Usagi,” a San’in specialty confectionary that is still loved to this day, and establishing sales subsidiaries mainly in western Japan.

  • Founder Shoichi Kawakoshi
  • A candy vending truck that was active at the time of the company's founding
  • OEM manufacturing of puff pastry
  • 1952

    Kotobuki Seika Co., Ltd. is established in Kakuban-cho, Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, and begins manufacturing candy confections and other products.

  • 1956

    A fire destroys the factory in Kakuban-cho. The following year, the factory is relocated to Hatagasaki, Yonago City.

  • 1959

    Entered the tourist souvenir confectionery category.

  • 1966

    Incident involving a voluntary recall of persimmons. The company adopts the management philosophy of “Creating Joy and Providing Joy.”

  • 1968

    Launched “Inaba no Shiro Usagi”, a famous San’in confectionery, to raise the quality of confectionery for sightseeing souvenirs.

  • 1972

    Kotobuki Co., Ltd. is established in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Ltd. was established in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, followed by the establishment of a series of sales subsidiaries, mainly in western Japan, to expand the sales network nationwide.

  • 1979

    Newly built and relocated the head office and factory to the present location (Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture).

  • 1987

    Tajima Kotobuki Co., Ltd. is established in Shion Onsen-cho, Mikata-gun, Hyogo Prefecture.

The “Kotobuki Castle of
Sweets” was built

Challenge from manufacturing wholesaler to retailer

In the late 1980s, as Japan entered the bubble era, a slowdown in growth began to appear as consumer demand for “quality” over “quantity” changed, and a change in the business model was urgently needed. With the goal of transforming itself from a manufacturing and wholesale company to a manufacturing and retail company, the company opened its first directly managed store, “Kotobuki-no Kotobuki Castle” in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture in 1993. This success led to a stock listing (over-the-counter stock registration) the following year upon Seigo Kawagoe’s appointment as president (current position).

  • Kotobuki-jyo (Kotobuki Castle of Sweets) at the time of its opening
  • Kotobuki-jyo’s famous red and white rice cakes
  • Over-the-counter stock registration (1994)
  • 1993

    Established “Kotobuki Castle of Sweets” in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, a large-scale sales facility where visitors can observe the manufacturing process. Full-scale launch of retail business.

  • 1994

    Registered as over-the-counter stock. President and Representative Director Seigo Kawagoe is replaced by Shoichi Kawagoe. Shoichi Kawagoe is appointed Chairman of the Board.

  • 1996

    In the city of Chitose in Hokkaido, established Kotobuki Chocolate Company Limited (now KCC Co., Ltd.) and entered into Hokkaido in earnest. Added chocolate and langue de chat items to serve as a manufacturing base.

  • 1998

    Acquired a 100-year-old long-established trademark and established Tsukiji Chitose Co., Ltd. in Chuo City, Tokyo. Began developing the Tokyo Japanese confectionery brand.

  • 1998

    In the city of Otaru in Hokkaido, KCC Co., Ltd. established “Otaru Western Confectionery LeTAO.” Launched a retail specialty store for Western confectionery.

Expansion into Hokkaido and
Kyushu

Creation and establishment of confectionery store brands

Since its listing on the stock exchange, the company has set its growth strategy to expand into the two major markets of Hokkaido and Tokyo, establishing the group company “K.C.I.” in Hokkaido and opening the store brand “Otaru Confectionery Shop Lutao” in Otaru City. In 2005, we added the Kujukushima Group in the Fukuoka and Nagasaki areas to our group and expanded into the Kyushu area. In 2005, we expanded into Kyushu with the addition of the Kujukushima Group in the Fukuoka and Nagasaki areas.

  • LeTAO’s representative product “Doble Fromage”
  • Kujukushima Senpei, a famous confectionery in Sasebo
  • LeTAO Main Store in Otaru
  • 2003

    Published the first edition of “Kozuchi,” a management philosophy notebook. Started the “Kozuchi morning meeting” at each workplace.

  • 2005

    By taking over the business, the company inherited the confectionery manufacturing and sales business from Kujukushima SK Farm Co., Ltd. and three other companies, and started Kujukushima Group Co., Ltd.

  • 2006

    Changed the company name to Kotobuki Spirits Co. Transitioned to a pure holding company structure through a corporate split.

Major breakthrough in the
Tokyo metropolitan area

Major breakthrough in the Tokyo metropolitan area through a multi-brand strategy

In 1998, with an eye on expanding into Tokyo, we established Tsukiji Chitose, a Japanese confectionery manufacturing and retailing company. 2011 saw the re-launch of the company as Sucrey, and we began developing multiple brands, mainly Western confectionery. 2016 saw the acquisition of Francais, and the acquisition of its production plant, allowing us to develop products more flexibly. In 2016, we acquired “Francais” and acquired its production plant, enabling us to develop products in a flexible manner. In 2016, we acquired “Francais” and acquired a production plant, which enabled us to develop products in a flexible manner. We expanded the number of stores at Tokyo Station and Haneda Airport, which contributed significantly to the V-shaped recovery of the Group’s sales after the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

  • “THE DROS” to open at JR Tokyo Station Gransta Tokyo
  • Opened “The Maple Mania,” a maple syrup-themed brand, at JR Tokyo Station Gransta Tokyo.
  • Francais factory becomes manufacturing base for Shkreli
  • 2011

    Tsukiji Chitose Co., Ltd. transfers part of its business to Sucrey Co.,Ltd. and dissolves.

    Establishment of Taiwan Beijyushin Co.

  • 2013

    Listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

  • 2014

    Listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
    Jun Ai Co., Ltd. is established in Minato-ku, Tokyo.

  • 2016

    Acquired all shares of FRANCAIS Co., Ltd. and made it a subsidiary.

  • 2017

    Sucrey Co.,Ltd. absorbed Francais Co., Ltd.

  • 2024

    Established KMF Co.,Ltd. in Miyakojima City,Okinawa.