Native name 株式会社染野屋 Industry food manufacturing Motto "Soybeans Save the World" | Type Public (K.K.) Headquarters Chūō Number of employees 200 (1 April 2016) | |
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Romanized name Kabushiki-gaisha Somenoya Key people Atsuto Ono Hanjiro VIII,
(CEO and President) Products Tofu, eco-friendly soy-based foods Profiles | ||
Someno's Tofu Co., Ltd. (株式会社染野屋, Kabushiki-gaisha Somenoya) is a manufacturer of tofu and eco-friendly soy-based foods located in Chuo Ward, Tokyo. It has six retail outlets and operates a fleet of 130 sales trucks in the Kanto and Tokai regions of Japan.
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Company summary
Somenoya is a manufacturer of tofu and eco-friendly soy-based foods. It was founded in 1862 during Japan’s Edo period. Somenoya applies ancient Edo principles, including the use of Japanese soybeans and nigari and additive-free ingredients. Most business is done by hikiuri, a traditional system of roaming sales. In the old days, hikiuri tofu peddlers walked around towns and villages carrying their wares in large wooden baskets. Mmodern vendors travel in small, refrigerated trucks.
Mission statement
With its philosophy of “Soybeans Save the World,” Somenoya aims to contribute to a more sustainable society and make the world a better place for future generations. A core aspect of that goal is the promotion of a cultural shift from environmentally destructive, meat-based proteins to proteins derived from plants (principally soybeans).
The current CEO, Hanjiro VIII, won the first annual Japan Vegetarian Award Meat Free Monday Prize from the Japan Vegetarian Society (NPO) in February, 2016. He received the award for his ongoing "Soybeans Save the World" lecture series, which he created to spread consciousness on vegetarianism and environmental issues.
Somenoya is an official sponsor of Meat free Monday Japan, the Japanese sister campaign of the international movement spearheaded by Sir Paul McCartney.
History
In 1862 Hanjiro I began making and selling tofu in Toride City, Ibaraki, Japan under the company name, Yamahan Yorozuya. In 1907 Hanjiro II changed the company name to Hanjiro. In 1932 the company split into two organizations, Hanjiro and Someno. In 2004 Hanjiro VIII inherited the company and changed the name to Somenoya.
The first Somenoya retail shop opened in the Boxhill department store adjacent to the train station in Toride City. In 2005 the Hanjiro lines were merged under the name Somenoya.
In 2006 a retail sales branch was opened beside the Toride factory and a distribution centre.
In 2007 Chiba City retail sales branch and distribution centre opened in Chiba Prefecture. In 2008 Saitama City retail sales branch and distribution centre opened in Saitama Prefecture. IN 2009 the Toride factory earned ISO 9001 certification. In 2011 headquarters moved from Toride to Tokyo.
In 2011 Adachi Ward retail sales branch and distribution centre opened in Tokyo.
In 2013 Yokohama retail sales branch and distribution centre opened in Kanagawa Prefecture. A second factory opened in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Yaizu City retail sales branch and distribution centre opened in Shizuoka Prefecture.
In 2015 CEO Atsuto Ono inherited the title of Hanjiro VIII.
In 2016 the Shizuoka factory received HACCP certification.