History of OGINOYA

History of OGINOYA

chronology event wrapping paper
October 15, 1885 In-premises operations begin at Yokokawa Station.
Ekiben "Omusubi" (station bento) goes on sale.
Ekiben sales are the second oldest in Japan after Utsunomiya
the way the world works
  • October 15, 1885 Shinetsu Main Line opens between Takasaki and Yokokawa.
July 8, 1937 Katsuichi Takamizawa becomes the second president.
the way the world works
  • May 1937 World Exposition in Paris
August 12, 1946 Kazushige Takamizawa becomes the third president.
1947 Started selling sweet potato lunch boxes and croquettes.
the way the world works
  • May 3, 1947 Japan's Constitution goes into effect.
1948 Began selling grilled squid in mineral spring water.
1949 Started selling black tea (with salt due to unavailability of sugar).
1950 Started selling specially selected rice "Makunouchi Bento".
the way the world works
  • July 1950: Kinkakuji Temple burns down.
May 12, 1951 Mineji Takamizawa becomes the fourth president.
1957 President Mineji originated the idea of "Touge no Kamameshi".
the way the world works
  • January 1957 Antarctic observation team establishes Showa Station.
November 1, 1957
Received the Minister of Health and Welfare Award.
February 1, 1958 1958 120 yen
1958 120 yen
(Image courtesy of the Railway Culture Institute)
1960, 120 yen
1960, 120 yen
"Touge no Kamameshi" is launched at Yokokawa Station. The product becomes a big hit, gaining popularity through reviwe promotion among passengers, which leads to its publication in a well-known magazine.
On October 18 of the same year, Emperor Showa visits the Toyama National Athletic Meet, and is honored to load "Touge no Kamameshi" at Yokokawa Station.
the way the world works
  • December 1958 10,000 yen bill issued
  • September 1960 Full color TV broadcasting begins.
1961 "Touge no Kamameshi" was exhibited at the Yokohama Takashimaya Ekiben Festival.
April 20, 1962 "Touge no Kamameshi" Drive-in (later OGINOYA Drive-in Yokokawa) opens on the south side of Yokokawa Station along Route 18.
the way the world works
  • October 1963 Nuclear power generation begins in Tokai Village
 Showa 37, 120 yen
Showa 37, 120 yen
October 29, 1964 Reorganized from a limited liability company to a joint stock company.
the way the world works
  • October 10, 1964 Tokyo Olympics begin
  • February 7, 1965 Vietnam War begins.
  • June 29, 1966 The Beatles arrive in Japan
June 1967 1968, 200 yen
1968, 200 yen
1969, 200 yen
1969, 200 yen
1970, 250 yen
1970, 250 yen
1973, 300 yen
1973, 300 yen
TV drama "Kamameshi Married Couple" (Fuji Television's Saturday Theater) begins airing, based on President Mineji. "Touge no Kamameshi" became well-known throughout Japan.
the way the world works
  • May 1969 Tomei Expressway fully opened to traffic
  • July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 lunar landing
  • March 1970 Japan World Exposition, Osaka, Japan
  • February 3, 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympic Games
  • March 15, 1972 Sanyo Shinkansen Line opens between Tokyo and Okayama
  • November 16, 1973 First Oil Shock Oil Crisis
  • October 14, 1974 Shigeo Nagashima of the Giants retires.
  • April 30, 1975 Vietnam War ends.
March 29, 1978 Newly built OGINOYA Drive-in Yokokawa store opened. Completed full reconstruction and large septic tank.
the way the world works
  • May 20, 1978 Narita New Tokyo International Airport opens
October 1, 1978 Inauguration of OGINOYA Drive-In, Inc.
Tadaaki Takamizawa is appointed president.
March 25, 1979 Mineji Takamizawa, the fourth president, becomes chairman of OGINOYA Inc.
Kyoko Takamizawa becomes the fifth president of OGINOYA Inc.
the way the world works
  • June 28, 1979 Tokyo Summit held
July 1, 1980 Karuizawa store opens.
the way the world works
  • June 23, 1982 Tohoku Shinkansen Line opens between Omiya and Morioka
 1981, 700 yen
1981, 700 yen
April 21, 1983 OGINOYA Drive-in Suwa Interchange store opens.
the way the world works
  • January 27, 1983 Seikan Tunnel penetrated
September 17, 1983 Passing away of the Chairman, Mineji Takamizawa.
the way the world works
  • October 3, 1983 Miyakejima erupts
July 12, 1985 OGINOYA Drive-In Yokokawa Completely remodeled inside and outside of the facility.
the way the world works
  • April 1, 1987: Japanese National Railways divided and privatized; JR begins operations March 13, 1988: Seikan Tunnel opens
  • January 8, 1989 New era name "Heisei" comes into effect.
  • April 1990 Bubble economy collapses
 1986, 700 yen
1986, 700 yen
1989, 800 yen
1989, 800 yen
July 20, 1994 OGINOYA Drive-in Sakuno OGINOYA opens in front of Saku Interchange on Joshinetsu Expressway.
July 15, 1995 Cumulative sales reach 100 million units.
January 20, 1997 OGINOYA Drive-in Nagano opened near Nagano Interchange on Joshinetsu Expressway.
the way the world works
  • February 1997 Birth of cloned sheep
  • April 1997: 5% consumption tax introduced
October 1, 1997 1997, 900 yen
1997, 900 yen
Yokolawa Station became a departure and arrival station when the JR Shinetsu Main Line between Yokokawa and Karuizawa was discontinued.
Shinkansen bullet train to Nagano opens. "Touge no Kamameshi" onboard sales begin between Takasaki and Karuizawa. (Sales consigned to Japan Restaurant Enterprise Co.)
the way the world works
  • February 7, 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics begin.
October 1999 Suwa Interchange store Receives Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Award
the way the world works
  • September 10, 2001: Cattle suspected of having mad cow disease confirmed.
  • September 11, 2001: The 9/11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
  • May 31, 2002 World Cup Korea/Japan
  • May 27, 2003 Five laws related to personal information protection enacted.
November 2004
Participated in the National Famous Ekiben Competition held in California, U.S.A.
First overseas production and sales of "Touge no Kamameshi"; sold out 2,000 servings in 4 days.
the way the world works
  • October 23, 2004 Chuetsu Earthquake
  • February 16, 2005 Kyoto Protocol enters into force.
  • January 9, 2007 Defense Agency transitions to Ministry of Defense.
October 1, 2009 Cumulative sales exceeded 150 million units.
October 2009 Central Kitchen Awarded Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Award
October 2010 Nagano store Receives Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Award
December 2010
Central Kitchen Gunma Prefecture Food Voluntary Hygiene Control Certification
April, 2017 Opened a store at the GINZA SIX commercial facility. This is the first store in Tokyo.
December 2028 Factory and store OGINOYA Hachimanyama opened in Suginami , Tokyo 2028 1,100 yen
2028 1,100 yen

en_USEnglish
ja日本語 en_USEnglish