Ito En Co., Ltd.

Founded Japan Family Service Co., Ltd., the origin of Ito En. The following year, began handling tea (leaf).

Founded in 1964.

Established Frontier Tea Co., Ltd., the predecessor of Ito En, in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Specialized in tea sales and started a business using a "route sales" method, selling packaged tea directly to supermarkets and grocery stores.

Established "Frontier Tea Co., Ltd." in 1966, predecessor of Itoen.

Developed "packed tea" by dividing tea leaves into small portions and packaging them, and spread it widely to many customers through the sales style "route sales" directly selling to supermarkets and grocery stores.

Broadcasted the first television commercial in the tea industry. The CM featuring renowned actor Masao Shimada spread the catchphrase "O~i Ocha" nationwide. Opened the first sales branch, Kanagawa Branch (now Yokohama Midori Branch).

Changed the company name to Ito En Co., Ltd.

Introduced a high-speed automatic packaging machine (made by Swiss Industrial Gesellschaft). Developed vacuum pack technology to preserve tea leaf freshness.

Relocated headquarters to Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Constructed the Shizuoka Sagara Factory in Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture, consolidating the production system (renamed "Shizuoka Factory" in May 2025).

Started a tea production area development project.

Opened the first direct-operated specialty store "Cha Jutoku" in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Signed the first import agency agreement for oolong tea with China Tongjian Animal Husbandry Import-Export Co., Ltd. in Japan. Commenced full-scale sales of oolong tea (tea leaves).

Developed the world’s first "canned oolong tea" and began sales in selected regions.

Commenced nationwide sales of "canned oolong tea". Established Okinawa Ito En Co., Ltd. and began selling Sri Lankan direct-imported black tea.

Established green tea cultivation technology using organic fertilizer. Introduced "manufacture date" and "best before" labels on packaged tea.

Established the "T-N Blow" method to remove oxygen inside the can, preserving green tea quality, and successfully developed "canned sencha" (the predecessor of "O~i Ocha").

Commenced sale of the world’s first green tea beverage "canned sencha". Held the "1st Ito En Ladies Golf Tournament."

Established a Central Research Institute in Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Canned sencha received the "Nikkei Annual Excellent Product Award" from the Nikkei Newspaper. Established a joint venture in Hawaii, USA, and began sales of unsweetened tea beverages.

Established a joint venture in Fujian Province, China, and began production of oolong tea raw materials. Established the subsidiary "ITOEN (USA) INC." in Hawaii, USA, and began local production and sales of unsweetened tea beverages.

Received an award from China Tea Import-Export Company for spreading oolong tea in Japan.

Renamed "canned sencha" to "O~i Ocha". Initiated the "O~i Ocha New Haiku Prize". Signed a contract with professional golfer Ikuyo Shioya.

Commenced sale of the world’s first PET bottle green tea beverage.

Shares listed on the market. "Rich Vegetables" launched. Headquarters moved to Shibuya, Tokyo.

Coffee roasting plant completed within the Shizuoka Sagara factory. First industry Natadecoco beverage "Nat·de·Coco" launched.

Established "ITO EN AUSTRALIA PTY. LIMITED" in Australia, began tea plantation development. Joint venture established in China. Awarded Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for developing canned green tea.

Revenue surpassed 100 billion yen. Received the 2nd "Radio Tanpa Stock Blue Chip Award" for excellence.

Listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Launched 500ml "O~i Ocha". New green tea packaging plant established in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture. Patent obtained. Awarded Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Received FDA approval and cooperated with the clinical trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas.

Designated as First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Received the "Disclosure Award" from the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Launched Hot PET (hot‑compatible PET bottle) ahead of competitors. Obtained ISO14001 certification at Shizuoka Sagara factory and Central Research Institute.

Revenue surpassed 200 billion yen. Started tea cultivation business in Miyazaki Prefecture, Tokuyama area. Obtained special health food labeling approval. Established consolidated subsidiary in the United States. Expanded research building.

ITO EN (North America) INC. opened flagship store "ITO EN New York" (closed in 2010). Signed sales contract with Calpis and mineral water. Obtained ISO9001 certification.

Obtained zero‑sugar tea beverage certification from FDA. Launched "O~i Ocha" in North America.

Launched "O~i Ocha Strong Flavor" and "One Day's Vegetables". Constructed rough tea factory in Australia. Started mail‑order business. Received environmental activities and awards.

Launched handle‑equipped PET bottle. Tea shell recycling system won Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries award in Eco Service category. Signed contract with golfers.

Consolidated Food X Globe and Mason Distributors as subsidiaries. Started tea cultivation business in Oita Prefecture. Achieved zero‑waste emission. Obtained ISO14001. Received environmental award.

Revenue surpassed 300 billion yen. Launched new product with Tully's Coffee. Obtained ISO14001. Listed on First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Secured domestic exclusive sales rights for Evian with Danone Group. Merged Itochu and Ito En. Received environmental award.

20th anniversary of "O~i Ocha" launch. Sold 15 billion units. Expanded ISO14001 acquisition. Brand certified by Guinness World Records.

Established tea bag factory in Australia. Certified by Guinness World Records for two consecutive years. Started tea cultivation business in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Certified by Guinness World Records for three consecutive years. Partnered with Eisai for dementia prevention business. Agreed on PET bottle recycling.

Certified Guinness record for 4 consecutive years. Developed rough tea quality estimation technology and picking time judgment technology. Full-scale start of tea cultivation project in Saitama Prefecture.

Certified Guinness record for 5 consecutive years. Health mineral wheat tea received Guinness certification. App launch. Joint venture company established in new market. Received recycling award.

30th anniversary of green tea beverage invention. Opened "Tea House Itoen" at Haneda Airport. Received environmental award.

Released global brand "ITOEN MATCHA GREEN TEA". Became a subsidiary.

Built matcha workshop at Shizuoka Sagara factory. Constructed Kobe factory.

Signed affiliation contract with golfer. Surpassed 30 billion bottles sold. New Haiku Award certified by beyond2020 program.

Agreed on clinical trial for dementia prevention effect. Signed affiliation contract with golfer.

"O~i Ocha" 30th anniversary. Brand certified by Guinness record. Wheat tea shell recycling system awarded.

Established new factory in Australia. Certified Guinness record for 2 consecutive years. Started tea cultivation project in Shizuoka.

Certified Guinness record for 3 consecutive years. Partnership with Eisai for dementia prevention. Signed recycling agreement.

Certified Guinness record for 4 consecutive years. Developed rough tea quality estimation and picking time judgment technology. Full-scale start in Saitama.

Certified Guinness record for 5 consecutive years. Health mineral wheat tea certified. App launch. New joint venture company established.

Certified Guinness record for 6 consecutive years. Established new overseas factory. Established Itoen in Hokkaido. Opened museum.