Did You Know the World’s Oldest Company Is in Japan? (The 1,400-Year-Old Builders)

What is “Old” in Business?

In the United States, a company founded in the late 1800s is considered incredibly historic. But if you cross the Pacific to Japan, the standard for corporate history completely changes. The oldest continuously operating company in the entire world is located in Osaka, Japan.

The Year 578

The company is called “Kongo Gumi,” and it was founded in the year 578 AD. To put that into perspective, this Japanese construction company was established centuries before the Viking Age began in Europe. They have been in business for over 1,400 years!

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Building the Gods’ Homes

What kind of business survives that long? Temple construction. Kongo Gumi was originally brought from Korea to Japan to build Shitenno-ji, the country’s very first government-supported Buddhist temple. Ever since then, they have specialized in the highly complex, traditional wooden architecture of shrines and temples.

Surviving the Centuries

Over 14 centuries, Kongo Gumi survived the rise and fall of samurai warlords, multiple devastating earthquakes, World War II, and modern economic bubbles. They adapted by keeping the business strictly in the family and occasionally making wooden coffins during times when nobody was building temples.

The “Shokunin” Spirit

Today, while they are now a subsidiary of a larger construction group, Kongo Gumi still exists, operating with the same traditional craftsmanship. It is the ultimate, mind-blowing example of the Japanese “Shokunin” (artisan) spirit—prioritizing mastery and legacy over short-term profit.