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Tsu Konbu was created by Masakazu Nakano, born in Kyoto in 1912 (Meiji 45, Taisho 1).
Masakazu Nakano became independent at the age of 19 in 1931 (Showa 6) and founded Nakano Shoten in Sakai.
Developed a confectionery using kelp as the main ingredient, which was the prototype of the current 'Tsu Konbu'. It is made of pickled kelp with brown sugar syrup, and Nakano named it 'Tsu Konbu' to express his longing for his hometown.
Nakano Shoten initially targeted the sales channels of cheap sweets to sell the newly born 'Tsu Konbu'.
At that time, with mainly candy shops for children, they started selling to Tennoji and Matsuya-machi, where confectionery wholesalers lined up. Nakano also targeted popular picture-story shows, which were centers of entertainment for children, and aggressively promoted, gradually making the name 'Tsu Konbu' known nationwide.
Founder Masakazu Nakano established Nakano Shoten in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture
Package and counter display from around 1965.
Nakano believed that 'Tsu Konbu' was not just a product for children but also a confectionery that adults could accept. The next sales venue he thought of was the railway.
Nakano thought, 'There are shops at stations of the Japan National Railways across the country. Small 'Tsu Konbu' could be placed there.' Based on this idea, a small vertical paper box with a bright red color, cherry blossom petals, and the characters 'Tsu Konbu' was born, which could fit in a pocket or handbag and was the prototype of the current product.
Sales at the Activity Railway Mutual Aid Society (now Kiosk) increased awareness nationwide. To make 'Tsu Konbu' a snack that could be found anywhere, they actively used TV commercials and radio broadcasts, which were rare at the time.
Commercials featured popular comedian Senpei Hayashiya (deceased in 1980) and talented and well-liked Edess Hanson, using theme songs for promotional activities.
Advertising was carried out at each station of Osaka Metro Midosuji Line (Shin-Osaka to Nishi-Tanabe), a key transportation route in Osaka City.
Opened Tokyo Sales Office
Founded Nakano Bussan Co., Ltd. (Capital: 2 million yen)
Built a factory in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture
Opened Nagoya Sales Office
Increased capital to 8 million yen
Received Fisheries Agency Director General Award
Increased capital to 12 million yen
Increased capital to 18 million yen
Opened Fukuoka Sales Office
Received Minister's Award at the 17th National Confectionery Exposition
Increased capital to 20 million yen
The 'Tsu Konbu' gained popularity around the time of the Osaka Expo, which was the largest event at that time.
Increased capital to 30 million yen
Increased capital to 45 million yen
The Niirohama Factory in Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture, completed in 1997, produces 'Tsu Konbu' and 'Oshaburi Konbu' series by about 100 staff members using traditional methods by hand.
Completed Niirohama Factory in Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture
Expansion of Niirohama Factory in Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture
Completed Sennan Rinku Factory in Sennan City, Osaka Prefecture
Nakano Bussan decided on a voluntary recall because a yeast-derived off-odor occurred in part of "Nakano's Miyako Konbu Unsorted Value Pack 45 g." Customers are asked to send the product cash on delivery, and a QUO card equivalent to the product price will be sent. No health damage has been reported.
The Tokonbu Nakano Bussan PR model audition was held at the AWA Lounge, and four livestreamers were appointed as PR models. Advertisements were placed at Shibuya Station and Osaka Station, but the placements have ended.
Due to the supply situation of raw kelp, Nakano Bussan Co., Ltd. plans to release a new Miyako Konbu for a limited time in early April. Until now it has insisted on kelp from Hokkaido and Sanriku, but this is a measure to cope with changes in the natural environment and reduced supply.
From the production batch of June 2, 2025, Nakano Bussan will gradually switch the internal packaging of boxed products such as 'Toku-nobu' to 'Deep-Press Packaging'. By sealing with a film that has low breathability, we aim to deliver the product in a state close to its condition at the time of shipment. The target includes various 15g 'Toku-nobu' products, while 6g 'Toku-nobu' is excluded.
Nakano Bussan Co., Ltd. has resumed sales of the konjac rice crackers "Miyako Konbu Flavor" and "Oshabu Konbu Ume Flavor," which had been suspended. It apologizes for the inconvenience during the suspension and asks for continued patronage.
Nakano Bussan Co., Ltd. apologized after it was found that, although the back label of its konjac rice crackers stated "made with domestic kelp," Chinese kelp may have been mixed into the ingredients for the Japanese-style dashi. It determined that there are no allergen issues or health damage and that a product recall is unnecessary. Sales of the applicable products are suspended until packaging with the corrected labeling is completed, and it will announce again when sales resume.
Nakano Bussan Co., Ltd. announced that it confirmed that something resembling mold may have occurred in kelp confectionery it manufactured and that it will voluntarily recall the applicable product and refund the price. No health damage has been reported at present, and it says there are no problems with other products. It says it will strengthen quality control to prevent recurrence.
OFFICE MINAMIKAZE Co., Ltd. and six Osaka confectionery manufacturers launch the "Da-gashi Egao Project" to bring smiles to the world with da-gashi (traditional Japanese sweets). The da-gashi idol "da-gashi☆" will debut, and a press conference and unveiling are scheduled in Osaka on August 31, 2018.