Experience the Transformation of a 100-Year-Old Japanese Company Near Osaka & Kansai Airport Discover Japanese Innovation Through a Stockings Factory Tour

This article introduces a unique factory tour in Osaka’s Senshu region, located near Kansai International Airport, where a company with nearly 100 years of history continues to evolve through innovation and business transformation. Visitors gain rare access to behind-the-scenes operations not typically open to the public and can hear insights directly from company executives. This experience is ideal for corporate training, educational visits, and international travelers seeking authentic Japanese industrial culture.

2026.07.09

The Power of Transformation Sustaining a 100-Year-Old Japanese Company

Let's take a look at the tour!

Executive Briefing: Insights from Company Leadership

Factory Tour: Inside Japan’s Advanced Manufacturing Process

The process begins with the selection of high-quality yarn materials, which play a crucial role in determining the final product quality. By combining polyurethane and nylon, the company achieves both elasticity and durability. The knitting process follows, carried out in a controlled environment operating 24 hours a day. Temperature is maintained at approximately 27°C in summer and 24°C in winter, with humidity carefully regulated at around 63%. Using advanced knitting machines with 320 to 474 needles, each stocking is precisely crafted from the waist down to the toe, ensuring a smooth and beautifully finished shape.

Next comes the presetting process, where the knitted fabric is shaped and stabilized. The material is heated and compressed under vacuum conditions to ensure consistent mesh structure and accurate sizing—an essential step in maintaining product quality.

In the sewing stage, where robotics and skilled craftsmanship come together, the toe and crotch sections are stitched together with exceptional precision. This process brings the stocking closer to its final form, shaping both its structure and comfort with high accuracy.

After sewing, the fabric moves on to the dyeing process, where every step—from water supply and dyeing to rinsing and drainage—is carefully controlled by computer systems. Using both liquid-flow and drum-type dyeing machines, the company achieves consistent, high-quality results with minimal color variation.

The process concludes with the setting and finishing stage, which determines the overall appearance and shape of the product. Damp stockings are placed onto molds and exposed to steam to refine their silhouette, resulting in a smooth, well-formed finish.

Another key feature of this company’s manufacturing process is its rigorous quality control system. Inspections are conducted twice—once during production and again after completion. While many manufacturers only inspect finished products, this company intentionally incorporates an additional inspection step during the production process. This approach allows for the early detection of potential contamination or defects, ensuring a higher level of safety and product reliability.

Finally, each product undergoes strict quality checks before moving through the inspection and packaging stage, where it is carefully prepared for delivery. Only after passing these standards is a single product considered complete.

Here are some comments from participants

Visitor from Taiwan, Ms. H, in her 30s

I never really thought about how stockings are made, so getting to see the production process up close was a very interesting experience.I was particularly impressed by the company's willingness to adapt and change its business direction over time. It gave me the impression that staying flexible is an important part of long-term success.Overall, it was a great opportunity to visit a manufacturing site that is not usually accessible to the public. I would definitely recommend it to others.