Shiono Koryo traces its roots to Shionoya Kitchibe Shoten, a herbal medicine merchant founded in the late Edo Era.
For over 200 years, we have responded to changing times and continued to take on new challenges.
We will continue to pass on tradition and innovation to the next generation, expanding the possibilities of scent.
In the mid-Edo era, Doshomachi in Osaka flourished as a "town of medicine" after the Shogunate officially recognized the guilds of medicine merchants. The history of Shiono Koryo begins with the founding of "Shionoya," a herbal medicine shop established in this district in 1808. Shionoya primarily dealt in traditional Japanese and Chinese herbal medicines, steadily building trust within the local community. As Western culture flowed into Japan from the late Edo era through the Meiji era, and the government promoted Western medicine, the third-generation Kichibe sought to adapt to the new era while preserving tradition.
In an era of great change, Kotaro, the eldest son of the third-generation Kichibe, shifted the company's focus to aromatic raw materials and pivoted the business in 1908. He began importing and selling flavorings for ginger ale and renamed the shop "Shiono Kitchibe Shoten." When World War I disrupted imports, the company began manufacturing its own flavorings. In 1921, Shiono developed Japan's first domestically produced lemon essence. This was followed by orange essence, banana essence, and other products, and by 1924 they were marketed under the "Ogi-jirushi" (Fan Mark) brand.
In December 1929, the fourth-generation Kichibe made a major transition from a sole proprietorship to a corporation. Even amid the harsh economic conditions of the Great Depression, demand for flavorings grew steadily, and the company moved to strengthen its production capacity.
In 1933, a new factory equipped with the latest facilities was built in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, dramatically increasing supply capabilities. In 1935, a branch office was established in Tokyo, accelerating market expansion. During this period, a factory was also built in Taiwan to secure a supply of citrus raw materials, further strengthening the company's operational foundation.
During the war, flavorings and fragrances were considered luxury goods, forcing our company to change its business. In 1941, we changed our company name to "Shiono Chemical Industries Co., Ltd." and redirected its production expertise to fields beyond fragrance. Even under these circumstances, we succeeded in developing polystyrene (styrene resin) and became the first in Japan to achieve its industrialization—a milestone in the history of Japanese chemical industry. After the war, the Osaka factory resumed fragrance production and reintroduced "Ogi-jirushi" essences to the domestic market. The following year, overseas operations also resumed, and we overcame the turmoil of the postwar period to begin our journey once again as a flavor and fragrance manufacturer.
After the war, the flavor and fragrance market became increasingly competitive due to the influx of overseas products. We embraced the belief that "technological capability is our competitive advantage," introducing the latest compound analysis equipment and strengthening our R&D efforts. We also began safety research on flavoring materials at an early stage, promoting the development of highly reliable products.
In 1969, we participated in a joint project to develop "artificial meat" as a response to a beef shortage, contributing its flavor expertise. This became a gateway into the field of savory flavors. At Expo '70 in Osaka, we showcased frozen hamburgers, continuing our forward-looking challenges in the future of food. These experiences brought new dimensions to our flavor and fragrance technology.
In the 1980s, we introduced computer systems for operational efficiency, linking the head office and Osaka factory online and improving the accuracy of raw material and product management.
At the International Garden and Greenery Exposition 1990, we sponsored two pavilions with spatial scent installations, which also led to the development of functional fragrances.
During this period, we also expanded into chemical products beyond flavor and fragrance, including pharmaceutical active ingredients, agrochemical intermediates, and cosmetic materials. In 1996, we established Shiono Finesse Co., Ltd., and in 1998, a production site was built in Fukui to begin manufacturing pharmaceutical active ingredients.
Now more than 200 years since our founding, we carry forward the spirit of challenge cultivated throughout our history, taking on new frontiers in creating value through scent.
Through our in-house venture KITCHIBE, we offer spatial design through scent. We are also engaged in developing products that apply flavor and fragrance technologies to help address environmental challenges, including odor control and influencing the behavior of wild animals. Furthermore, the possibilities of scent continue to expand into the future-from comfort in outer space to wellbeing.
We will continue to take on new challenges, shaping people and culture through scent as we help enrich the world.
