NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA in Nara Prefecture. Socks add color and richness to your life

Hello, I’m Hakoboya, the souvenir promotion captain of Kodawari Times!
Have you ever taken a look at the socks you wear everyday without thinking about it?

The brand “NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA” is produced by Knit Win, a company that makes socks for people’s daily lives in Nara Prefecture, the birthplace of socks. I went to a preview of the new factory store where you can experience the sock making process!

In this issue, we will show you the thoughts behind the socks and the excellence of Japanese craftsmanship in detail.

Socks born in Nara Prefecture, loved in more than 30 countries around the world

Nara Prefecture is the largest producer of socks in Japan, boasting a 60% share of the national market. In Katsuragi City, the center of the prefecture, there is a sock factory that combines tradition and innovation. Knit Win has been making socks since 1950, and under the concept of “socks that change your day,” the company develops and produces socks that make you feel positive and want to wear them every day.

NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA, a major brand by Knit Win, offers socks that are made with the wearer in mind, using high quality natural materials and knitting techniques.
For example, for walking, they offer “Cotton Cashmere Walk Socks,” which absorb water and keep you cool, and other socks that are best suited to the situation in which you wear them. How kind!

And “NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA” has many overseas fans, not only in Japan but also in more than 30 countries around the world, with over 300 stores! I was surprised because I had no idea that socks born in Nara, Japan had spread all over the world.
If you want to change your everyday life with socks, open the door of “NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA”!

NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA’s factory store opens

This time we visited Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture. In the corner of a peaceful residential area, a clean, pure white building appeared. This is the newly opened NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA factory store.

There is also a heart-shaped sock symbol on the glass door! It’s called a sock heart.

The store on the second floor is a spacious 16-square-meter space that carries about 80 different kinds of Knit Win socks, including NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA.
It’s a very stylish and comfortable space. You can take your time and choose one pair of socks at a time in a relaxing and quiet atmosphere.

Since this was a media preview, Mr. Isato Nishiguchi, the third generation of the company, gave an overview of the company and its brand.
Mr. Nishiguchi’s passion for socks and his ability to do things, such as planning his own socks and dealing directly with buyers through SNS when expanding overseas, really got my heart racing. Amazing!

The reason for opening a new factory store is because we want not only fans of NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA but also those who are interested in Japanese manufacturing to experience the essence of manufacturing through the production of socks, which is usually unseen. He also said that he wants to create a brand that will be loved for a long time!

Factory tours where you can witness first-hand the craftsmanship of our artisans

Now, here is the factory tour you have been waiting for. Across the street from the store is the Knit-Win factory.

We were given a tour in groups of four. I am very excited to see a sock factory for the first time.
To begin with, about 70% of the sock production is done by machine, and the rest is done by hand. Even in this age of robots and machines, I had no idea that each pair of socks is made by hand.

Once the yarn used to make the socks arrives, it is knitted by machine. At Knit-Win, we have about 130 machines that knit a wide variety of socks.

The machines are changed according to the type of yarn and the shape of the socks, and NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA’s special socks are made on old knitting machines called “old machines. ”Some of the oldest machines are 50 years old!

The craftsmen’s high skill in fine-tuning needles and other parts enables them to knit socks made of natural materials such as cotton and wool, which are difficult to handle on old machines.

After the socks are knitted, they undergo a primary inspection. Here, they visually check every inch of the socks for any defects such as broken yarns. I was actually shown a pair of defective socks, but they were so small that you had to look closely to see them. But finding defective items during the primary inspection is what makes the quality so good.

The next process is called Nuki. In fact, socks are not knitted one at a time, but are made in a tube shape that can be used for several pairs (some machines can knit one pair at a time).
The process of separating them into individual pairs, cutting the yarn and pulling it out quickly is a skillful technique. The moment when the yarn is pulled out in a single stroke is said to be an exhilarating experience!

The sock is then taken apart and the two sides are left open to form a cylinder, which is then sewn into a toe seam, called a rosso. When the socks are turned over on the sewing machine and the toes are sewn together, they are formed into the socks you usually see.

Then, after a process called “set processing,” in which the elastic threads that make up the elastic of the socks are adjusted, the socks undergo a final inspection process. Here, too, the meticulous work of human hands and eyes is repeated, resulting in high-quality socks that are made with NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA’s heart and soul.

The finished socks are then delivered from the shipping center on the first floor of the factory store to each store, where they are delivered to us, the buyers!
I learned for the first time that there are many more processes and a lot of time and effort that go into making socks from yarn than I thought. I thought, “I want to use these socks with care for a long time because they are made with such care.

Applications for the NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA Factory Tour are accepted through the official Instagram (@nishiguchikutsushita).
Number of participants: Up to 4 people per tour, about 45 minutes
If you would like to see Japanese sock making up close and personal, please join us!

NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA Recommended Products

Next, I will introduce some recommended socks from NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA. All socks are available in S/M/L sizes, so you can choose one regardless of gender! Please try to find a pair to your liking.

EGYPTIAN COTTON PLAIN SOCKS

“Giza Cotton” from the Giza region of Egypt, a rare material in the world, is used. The softness and luster of this superfine material with a fiber length of 35 mm or more are appealing. By twisting the yarn as sweetly as possible, you can enjoy the softness of Giza cotton, which is also known as the king of cotton. They are thin and easy to wear, making them perfect for sandals!

SILK COTTON LOUNGE SOCKS

Silk Cotton Home Socks are, as the name suggests, home socks for home use only. The outer layer is made of durable cotton, while the pile that touches the skin is made of silk cotton, which has high moisture absorption and heat retention properties.
They absorb water even when you perspire, so they keep your body heat in, and the comfort of being wrapped in a fluffy towel is irresistible! Since almost no elastic is used, you can wear them loosely and spend your home time relaxing.

Linen Cotton Pile Anclet

The linen pile absorbs perspiration, and the crisp, fresh feel is like walking on grass! The addition of cotton to the pile ensures that the socks remain soft and fluffy even after repeated wear. These short ankle socks are perfect for wearing with sneakers or in hot weather.

LINEN RIBBED SOCKS

Ribbed short socks made of 100% linen yarn. These socks are carefully knitted on an old machine. Highly breathable and wicking, they keep you feeling fresh and comfortable as they do not get stuffy even when sweating. The shiny and crisp texture is easy to match with sandals, sneakers, loafers, and any other shoes! The color range to brighten up your feet is also attractive.

LINEN RIBBED SANDAL SOCKS

Linen ribbed sandal socks with an open toe made of 100% linen yarn. Highly breathable and wicking, these socks are refreshing to wear as they do not get stuffy. They are shiny and crisp, so they are recommended as a point of interest on your feet even on hot days!

Available at directly managed stores in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nara!

NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHUTA socks can be purchased not only at the newly opened factory store in Nara Prefecture, but also at the official online store and other physical stores in Tokyo and Osaka. If you would like to try our socks in person, please visit one of our physical stores!
They make a great Japanese souvenir, a treat for yourself or a gift for your loved ones!

NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA STORE TOKYO

Address: Tom-1 Building 1F, 3-2-10 Asakusabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0053
Access: 4-minute walk from Asakusabashi Station on JR Sobu Line and Toei Asakusa Line, 6-minute walk from Kuramae Station on Toei Asakusa Line and Oedo Line
Phone: 070-1732-5090
Open: 11:00-19:00 (11:00-18:00 on Sundays and holidays)
Closed: Unscheduled holidays

NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA STORE OSAKA

Address: Nagahori Building 103, 1-17-21 Minami-Senba, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 542-0081
Access: 2-minute walk from Nagahoribashi Station on the Subway Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line and Sakaisuji Line, 8-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station on the Subway Midosuji Line and Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line
Phone: 070-1745-9900
Open: 11:00-19:00
Closed: Unscheduled holidays

NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA FACTORY STORE

Address: 210-8 Kido, Katsuragi, Nara, 639-2161
Access: 15-minute walk from Shakudo Station on the Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line, 10-minute walk from Iwaki Station, parking lot available
Phone: 0745-43-5090
Open: 10:00-16:00
Closed: Sundays, national holidays, and other irregular holidays

Official online store

URL: https://11-11.jp/en/