Company Profile

Looking around the town, there are many developed surrounding industries, such as finishing factories (ironing), large box factories (boxes that can pack socks in groups of 10) and dyeing factories, and each company is connected to circulate work, making it one of the most vibrant towns in the area in the past. However, after the war, with the rise of cheap overseas products and a lack of successors, production has been steadily declining.

Yamaya Co., Ltd. is one such factory in Koryo-cho. While many factories have relocated their bases overseas, Yamaya Co., Ltd. remained in Nara Prefecture and continued to face the challenge of manufacturing. The factory also faced a crisis and was forced to close temporarily. However, having overcome many crises, the company now uses high-quality materials and the skilled craftsmanship of its artisans, and is involved in OEM (collaborations) with Japan's leading brands and selling its own brand in select shops. The company works hard every day to make socks, taking pride in its place of origin.

History

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1820 Bunsei 3	Nomura Yabei ran a cotton business in Hikai village, Hirose county, Washu (present-day Hikai, Koryo town, Kitakatsuragi county, Nara prefecture).
Mid-Meiji Period	In 1896, import duties on cotton were abolished. Cotton cultivation rapidly declined.
Late Meiji Period	The shift from handlooms to mechanical looms begins. Yamato cotton goes into decline.
1910 Meiji 43	Taijiro Yoshii of Hikiso, Mamimura (now Hikiso, Koryo-cho) began manufacturing socks using a hand-cranked knitting machine.
1921 Taisho 10	Nomura Shotaro begins manufacturing socks.
1941 Showa 16	Due to the control orders during the Second World War, the companies were merged to form Toa Socks Limited.
1943 Showa 18	Due to the second corporate restructuring, Toa Socks Limited was dissolved.
1950 Showa 25	Keiji Nomura begins manufacturing socks.
November 1959 (Showa 34)	Received the Osaka Governor's Award at the "All Japan Composite Material Socks Evaluation Points Competition."
1975 Showa 50	The company shifted to manufacturing using warp knitting machines, but was temporarily closed due to changes in fashion.
1980 Showa 55	Yoshiteru Nomura resumes sock manufacturing.
November 1981 (Showa 56)	Received the Nara Prefecture Governor's Award at the "Nara Sock Production Area New Product and New Technology Competition."
October 1983	The company was reorganized as a legal entity and named Yamaya Co., Ltd. Keiji Nomura was appointed President and Representative Director.
April 1992	The head office and factory were relocated to a new building at 97-1 Hikiso, Koryo-cho, the current location.
June 1992	The company name was changed to Yamaya Co., Ltd. Yoshiteru Nomura was appointed president and CEO.
December 1993	The Hoffmann Division was established and sales began under the Hoffmann brand.
September 1994	Participated in the establishment of the NS Cooperative.
November 2007	The company took over management of ORGANIC GARDEN, a shop directly operated by the association in Higashimukaminamicho, Nara City.
June 2008	Tokyo sales office opened in Ebisu Minami, Shibuya Ward.
April 2013	The directly managed shop "Shiki" opens in Naramachi, Nara City.
October 2020	The Tokyo office was moved to Kiyosumi Shirakawa, Tokyo, and the Tokyo branch was opened.
October 2020	Selected as a "Regional Future Driving Company" by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
October 2020	Opened direct store "yahae" in Kiyosumi Shirakawa, Tokyo.
June 2024	Yoshiteru Nomura was appointed Chairman and Representative Director. Yasutaka Nomura was appointed President and Representative Director.