On the final day of my business trip, I visited the Kimura Knitwear Factory in Wakayama Prefecture. This visit was not just a simple tour; it was intended to allow me to confirm the sewing process based on what I had learned upstream and at the knitting site, and to organize my thoughts on future collaborations with Kimura Knitwear Factory and how to communicate our products in stores going forward.

It was a day to reaffirm what "quality that is close to everyday life" truly means, by seeing the craftsmen at work up close. We are making preparations for the event at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , starting on Wednesday, April 8th.

Precision is created by people | Kimura Knitwear Factory continues to refine its underwear manufacturing with technology and a "customer-centric" approach.

Kimura Knitwear Factory is a sewing factory in Wakayama Prefecture that has been developing and manufacturing men's underwear for over half a century, spanning three generations of the same family. With a long track record of undertaking OEM work for clothing manufacturers, their sewing precision is highly regarded in the industry, and they are a factory brand with a well-established reputation for technical skill. Upon arriving at the factory, the chairman greeted us, and we felt the warmth that comes with a family-run business.


At the factory, we observed the entire process, from pattern making and cutting to sewing and finishing. We reaffirmed the delicate work required in making underwear and how that accumulation of effort contributes to the comfort of the garment. The company employs skilled craftsmen as well as young staff from overseas, and it was clear that each individual was contributing their strengths. The chairman always keeps the desire to "deliver truly excellent products for our customers" at the core of his work, paying close attention to the processes and the working environment, and I felt that this attitude is directly linked to the high quality of the products.

Teamwork fosters quality | Developing people and the story of the night before that brought tears

I was very impressed by Kimura Knitwear Factory's commitment to creating a comfortable working environment and providing employee training.
The previous evening, I sat around a round table with the president and his family, and in a warm, family-like atmosphere, I heard firsthand about the president's philosophy, which he described as "uncompromising manufacturing" and "respecting people and always having a sincere heart." Even just during the meal before the factory tour, I strongly felt from his words and demeanor that he is a person who is sincere in his manufacturing, and I was so moved that I couldn't help but shed tears. I believe that this attitude towards developing people is what supports the foundation of their quality.


Understanding the thoughts and feelings of the people behind the manufacturing process was an invaluable experience for me as a buyer, as it helped me consider how to communicate those stories to our customers.

From Wednesday, April 8th, we will be holding an event in-store to introduce items from Kimura Knitwear Factory. This is an opportunity for you to actually hold in your hands items that reflect the comfort you experienced at the factory and the passion of the makers. Please come to the store and try out the "comfort that feels like it was made with heartfelt care."

You can also view products from Kimura Knitwear Factory here.

Everything is done to deliver a pleasant essential to our customers.

From the yarn upstream to the knitting process and then the sewing, everything I witnessed over the three days is connected as a single flow. I am convinced that the choices and accumulations at each stage create an "essential" piece that becomes a part of everyday life.
I believe this business trip was very fruitful, as we were able to advance our planned initiatives and develop new collaborations. From now on, we will utilize that valuable feedback from the field in our manufacturing process and work to make it easier for customers to understand what we are communicating in stores.

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Madoka Kimura

Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , B1F, Underwear, Socks, and Nightwear Buyer

After working as a luxury assistant, she has four years of experience as a buyer. While handling cosmetics and lingerie, she has focused not only on external appearance but also on "inner fulfillment," valuing the time spent relaxing with comfortable loungewear and fragrances.