[Imabari City Furusato Nozei] The 4th installment of the popular series with over 7,000 total orders. Introducing the new "Premium Non-Twist Yarn Towelket," proudly made by the long-established "Watanabe Pile Textile," achieving a fluff-shedding rate of 0.03%.
Imabari City has launched the fourth product in its popular Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) towel series, a "Premium Non-Twist Yarn Towelket." Developed by the established manufacturer Watanabe Pile Textile, this towelket boasts exceptional softness and an ultra-low fluff-shedding rate of 0.03%. The project aims to promote Imabari's high-quality, domestically-produced towels and revitalize the local industry through the nationwide tax donation program.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 18:20
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 10:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 15:09 (5h 8m after Collected)
Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd. (Location: Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, CEO: Shujiro Abe) announces that it has begun accepting donations for the 'Premium Non-Twist Yarn Towelket,' co-developed with towel manufacturer Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd., as the '4th Furusato Nozei Exclusive Towel Development Project' through Imabari City's Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) program.
The original product series "Furusato Nozei Exclusive Premium Towel Series" developed by Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd. has achieved a cumulative total of 7,432 donation applications. Furthermore, on the Rakuten Furusato Nozei site, it has earned an average review rating of ★4.6 or higher, indicating extremely high user satisfaction, with many donors commenting that it "feels good on the skin," "has high absorbency," and that they "want to buy it again." (*As of April 6, 2026 / company data).
The third installment, the 'Premium Mini Bath Towel,' a collaboration with Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd., has received a great response, recording 92 donation applications in just one week after its launch.
This series aims to provide the value of "experiencing good local products" through the Furusato Nozei program, while also developing products that allow people to feel a sense of high-quality comfort in their daily lives.
By collaborating with businesses that possess regional charm and reliable technology, we are able to offer highly satisfactory products with a focus on quality at an accessible price.
In response to the feedback received so far and aiming to provide further value, we have developed the 4th installment, the 'Premium Non-Twist Yarn Towelket,' as a product that allows people to better experience the "comfort of Imabari towels" in their daily lives.
Click here for the "Premium Towel Series" feature
■ A towel developed from the desire to deliver a special, long-lasting Imabari towel through Furusato Nozei
The national Furusato Nozei donation amount in fiscal year 2024 has expanded to a market exceeding approximately 1.2728 trillion yen (*), and its importance as a sales channel for "towel businesses," the main local industry in Imabari City, is also increasing. Therefore, to have more people use high-quality, safe, and secure Imabari towels in their daily lives through the expanding Furusato Nozei market, towel manufacturer "Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd." and Imabari City's regional trading company "Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd." jointly developed this product.
(*Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Survey on the Current Status of Furusato Nozei")
Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd. × Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd.
■ The quality of domestic (Imabari) towels that "you'll understand once you use them"
You don't know how good a towel, an indispensable part of daily life, is until you actually use it.
According to the Imabari Towel Industrial Association, about 85% of towels currently distributed in Japan are made overseas, and opportunities to use domestic (Imabari) towels in daily life are limited.
In "Imabari City," Japan's largest towel production area, over 70 towel manufacturers adhere to high quality standards and sincerely engage in manufacturing every day to provide towels that satisfy many people.
Imabari towels are made under high quality control standards, in an environment suitable for towel production, and by skilled technicians.
To create opportunities for people to use these attractive domestic (Imabari) towels, Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd. is promoting this project by utilizing the Furusato Nozei system.
An Imabari Towel Brand certified premium non-twist yarn towelket
■ A towelket born from the feedback that "skin feel" is the most important factor
In developing this product, we conducted a survey on social media about preferences when choosing a towelket. The results showed that over 60.3% of respondents considered "skin feel" to be the most important factor.
In response to the real voices of consumers who "don't want to compromise on something that directly touches the skin," product development began with a thorough pursuit of "good skin feel."
Survey on towelkets conducted on social media
■ The exceptional softness created by non-twist yarn
The most significant feature of this product is its use of "non-twist yarn."
Non-twist yarn is a material finished with almost no twisting, which maximizes the original softness of the fibers.
This achieves a "fluffy softness," a "light and comfortable feel," and a "premium touch."
We have finished it as a towelket that is easy to use daily and highly satisfactory.
A towelket using non-twist yarn with a soft texture
■ "Domestic Towelkets" are rare in the market
Currently, many of the towelkets distributed in the market are made overseas, and domestic towelkets are extremely limited.
This product is an "Imabari Towel Brand Certified Product" that has cleared Imabari's technology and quality standards, making it a rare domestic towelket.
Precisely because it's an everyday item, people want to choose a safe, secure, and high-quality domestic towelket.
This towelket caters to that desire.
A safe and secure domestic towelket
■ "Specialty quality and price" made possible only by Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd.
A quality and an accessible price point as a Furusato Nozei return gift, made possible only by Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd., which is particular about high-quality cotton and traditional, careful weaving methods.
By being particular about material selection and manufacturing methods, we have achieved both high quality and ease of use for daily life.
It has cleared the Imabari Towel quality standards and is a piece that you can feel the comfort of every time you use it.
■ Four key points of the Premium Non-Twist Yarn Towelket
Through carefully selected materials and manufacturing methods, we have achieved high water absorbency, a soft touch, and low fluff shedding.
Despite being a non-twist yarn, we have achieved an excellent quality with a fluff-shedding rate of 0.03%.
It is a fluffy, light, and comfortable towelket certified as an Imabari Towel Brand product.
1. Luxurious Skin Feel
The use of non-twist yarn creates a soft, light touch.
It features a premium, comfortable texture that makes you want to press it against your cheek.
2. Surprising Lightness
With a light finish as if it contains air, it provides a comfortable feel that gently snuggles up to your body.
3. High Absorbency that Clears Imabari Towel Standards
Its high absorbency quickly soaks up sweat during sleep, maintaining a dry and comfortable feel.
4. Fluff-Shedding Rate of Just 0.03%
Despite being non-twist yarn, the fluff-shedding rate is an astonishing 0.03%.
Thanks to carefully selected materials and manufacturing methods, the comfortable texture lasts even with long-term use.
■ Product Overview
This product can be applied for as a Furusato Nozei return gift from Imabari City on the following sites
Application Sites
■ Rakuten Furusato Nozei
URL: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f382027-imabari/i004500/
■ Furusato Choice
URL: https://www.furusato-tax.jp/product/detail/38202/7014405
■ Satofull
URL: https://www.satofull.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=1729053&query_id=c02d97d7-628f-4f29-a5e1-84d9c1bd3a43
Return Gift Name
(Imabari Towel Brand Certified Product) Furusato Nozei Exclusive Premium Non-Twist Yarn Towelket
Size/Quantity
Towelket (approx. 150×185cm) × 1 piece
Color
Light Gray / Gray / Gray Beige
Material
100% Cotton
Production Area
Manufacturer: Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd.
Seller: Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd.
Imabari Towel Certification No.: 2026-694
Revitalization of Imabari City's main industry through the Furusato Nozei system
This product brings together the technology and wisdom of "Imabari," Japan's largest towel production area, and is sold exclusively through Furusato Nozei.
Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd. has put into this project the desire to "contribute to the revitalization of local industry through the Furusato Nozei system," while also widely promoting the appeal of domestic (Imabari) towels.
By delivering the high-quality "Premium Non-Twist Yarn Towelket" into the daily lives of many people, we aim to have them recognize the appeal of the towel manufacturing industry, which is a major local industry, and connect this to the revitalization of the regional economy.
The first collaboration between Imabari's towel manufacturer "Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd." and Imabari's regional trading company "Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd."
■ About Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd.
Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd. is a long-established towel manufacturer with over 50 years of history.
It has been selected as one of the "100 Textile Industry Companies to Lead the Next Generation" certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and its advanced initiatives have been evaluated in all five fields.
They understand the characteristics of cotton from all over the world and carefully select the optimal materials. They carefully address each aspect of cotton, yarn, processing, weaving, and design to create high-quality towels whose texture lasts even with daily use. The manufacturing philosophy of Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd. is to maximize the goodness of the materials and deliver comfort to the user.
Click here for the Watanabe Pile Textile website
■ About Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd.
Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd. is a regional trading company established on June 2, 2023, to realize the "Setouchi Cross Point Concept." This concept aims to create a cycle of income within the region by transforming the outflow of funds, consumption, and investment into an inflow, taking advantage of Imabari City's location at the "navel" of the Seto Inland Sea.
Through the Imabari City Furusato Nozei program, the company aims for regional revitalization by promoting attractive local products and tourism resources outside the city.
Click here for Imabari City Furusato Nozei (Rakuten Market)
■ From Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture
We sincerely thank you for your support (donations) through the Furusato Nozei program and will use them carefully to promote the development of an attractive and livable city that is "centered on its citizens."
As one example, our policies for migration and settlement have been recognized, and we have won first place in all four categories for four consecutive years in the "Best Countryside to Live In Ranking (towns with a population of 100,000 to less than 200,000)," solidifying our position as a "chosen city." In the field of child-rearing support, our "Imabari Version of Neubola" initiative, which provides seamless support for all aspects of child-rearing from pregnancy and childbirth until the age of 18, has been recognized, and we became the first municipality in Ehime Prefecture to receive the "Japan Child-Rearing Support Grand Prize."
We will continue to strive to be a city chosen by everyone.
2026 Edition, 14th Best Countryside to Live In Ranking
Inquiries
Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd.
Phone Number: 0898-35-4641
The original product series "Furusato Nozei Exclusive Premium Towel Series" developed by Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd. has achieved a cumulative total of 7,432 donation applications. Furthermore, on the Rakuten Furusato Nozei site, it has earned an average review rating of ★4.6 or higher, indicating extremely high user satisfaction, with many donors commenting that it "feels good on the skin," "has high absorbency," and that they "want to buy it again." (*As of April 6, 2026 / company data).
The third installment, the 'Premium Mini Bath Towel,' a collaboration with Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd., has received a great response, recording 92 donation applications in just one week after its launch.
This series aims to provide the value of "experiencing good local products" through the Furusato Nozei program, while also developing products that allow people to feel a sense of high-quality comfort in their daily lives.
By collaborating with businesses that possess regional charm and reliable technology, we are able to offer highly satisfactory products with a focus on quality at an accessible price.
In response to the feedback received so far and aiming to provide further value, we have developed the 4th installment, the 'Premium Non-Twist Yarn Towelket,' as a product that allows people to better experience the "comfort of Imabari towels" in their daily lives.
Click here for the "Premium Towel Series" feature
■ A towel developed from the desire to deliver a special, long-lasting Imabari towel through Furusato Nozei
The national Furusato Nozei donation amount in fiscal year 2024 has expanded to a market exceeding approximately 1.2728 trillion yen (*), and its importance as a sales channel for "towel businesses," the main local industry in Imabari City, is also increasing. Therefore, to have more people use high-quality, safe, and secure Imabari towels in their daily lives through the expanding Furusato Nozei market, towel manufacturer "Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd." and Imabari City's regional trading company "Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd." jointly developed this product.
(*Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Survey on the Current Status of Furusato Nozei")
Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd. × Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd.
■ The quality of domestic (Imabari) towels that "you'll understand once you use them"
You don't know how good a towel, an indispensable part of daily life, is until you actually use it.
According to the Imabari Towel Industrial Association, about 85% of towels currently distributed in Japan are made overseas, and opportunities to use domestic (Imabari) towels in daily life are limited.
In "Imabari City," Japan's largest towel production area, over 70 towel manufacturers adhere to high quality standards and sincerely engage in manufacturing every day to provide towels that satisfy many people.
Imabari towels are made under high quality control standards, in an environment suitable for towel production, and by skilled technicians.
To create opportunities for people to use these attractive domestic (Imabari) towels, Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd. is promoting this project by utilizing the Furusato Nozei system.
An Imabari Towel Brand certified premium non-twist yarn towelket
■ A towelket born from the feedback that "skin feel" is the most important factor
In developing this product, we conducted a survey on social media about preferences when choosing a towelket. The results showed that over 60.3% of respondents considered "skin feel" to be the most important factor.
In response to the real voices of consumers who "don't want to compromise on something that directly touches the skin," product development began with a thorough pursuit of "good skin feel."
Survey on towelkets conducted on social media
■ The exceptional softness created by non-twist yarn
The most significant feature of this product is its use of "non-twist yarn."
Non-twist yarn is a material finished with almost no twisting, which maximizes the original softness of the fibers.
This achieves a "fluffy softness," a "light and comfortable feel," and a "premium touch."
We have finished it as a towelket that is easy to use daily and highly satisfactory.
A towelket using non-twist yarn with a soft texture
■ "Domestic Towelkets" are rare in the market
Currently, many of the towelkets distributed in the market are made overseas, and domestic towelkets are extremely limited.
This product is an "Imabari Towel Brand Certified Product" that has cleared Imabari's technology and quality standards, making it a rare domestic towelket.
Precisely because it's an everyday item, people want to choose a safe, secure, and high-quality domestic towelket.
This towelket caters to that desire.
A safe and secure domestic towelket
■ "Specialty quality and price" made possible only by Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd.
A quality and an accessible price point as a Furusato Nozei return gift, made possible only by Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd., which is particular about high-quality cotton and traditional, careful weaving methods.
By being particular about material selection and manufacturing methods, we have achieved both high quality and ease of use for daily life.
It has cleared the Imabari Towel quality standards and is a piece that you can feel the comfort of every time you use it.
■ Four key points of the Premium Non-Twist Yarn Towelket
Through carefully selected materials and manufacturing methods, we have achieved high water absorbency, a soft touch, and low fluff shedding.
Despite being a non-twist yarn, we have achieved an excellent quality with a fluff-shedding rate of 0.03%.
It is a fluffy, light, and comfortable towelket certified as an Imabari Towel Brand product.
1. Luxurious Skin Feel
The use of non-twist yarn creates a soft, light touch.
It features a premium, comfortable texture that makes you want to press it against your cheek.
2. Surprising Lightness
With a light finish as if it contains air, it provides a comfortable feel that gently snuggles up to your body.
3. High Absorbency that Clears Imabari Towel Standards
Its high absorbency quickly soaks up sweat during sleep, maintaining a dry and comfortable feel.
4. Fluff-Shedding Rate of Just 0.03%
Despite being non-twist yarn, the fluff-shedding rate is an astonishing 0.03%.
Thanks to carefully selected materials and manufacturing methods, the comfortable texture lasts even with long-term use.
■ Product Overview
This product can be applied for as a Furusato Nozei return gift from Imabari City on the following sites
Application Sites
■ Rakuten Furusato Nozei
URL: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f382027-imabari/i004500/
■ Furusato Choice
URL: https://www.furusato-tax.jp/product/detail/38202/7014405
■ Satofull
URL: https://www.satofull.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=1729053&query_id=c02d97d7-628f-4f29-a5e1-84d9c1bd3a43
Return Gift Name
(Imabari Towel Brand Certified Product) Furusato Nozei Exclusive Premium Non-Twist Yarn Towelket
Size/Quantity
Towelket (approx. 150×185cm) × 1 piece
Color
Light Gray / Gray / Gray Beige
Material
100% Cotton
Production Area
Manufacturer: Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd.
Seller: Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd.
Imabari Towel Certification No.: 2026-694
Revitalization of Imabari City's main industry through the Furusato Nozei system
This product brings together the technology and wisdom of "Imabari," Japan's largest towel production area, and is sold exclusively through Furusato Nozei.
Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd. has put into this project the desire to "contribute to the revitalization of local industry through the Furusato Nozei system," while also widely promoting the appeal of domestic (Imabari) towels.
By delivering the high-quality "Premium Non-Twist Yarn Towelket" into the daily lives of many people, we aim to have them recognize the appeal of the towel manufacturing industry, which is a major local industry, and connect this to the revitalization of the regional economy.
The first collaboration between Imabari's towel manufacturer "Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd." and Imabari's regional trading company "Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd."
■ About Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd.
Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd. is a long-established towel manufacturer with over 50 years of history.
It has been selected as one of the "100 Textile Industry Companies to Lead the Next Generation" certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and its advanced initiatives have been evaluated in all five fields.
They understand the characteristics of cotton from all over the world and carefully select the optimal materials. They carefully address each aspect of cotton, yarn, processing, weaving, and design to create high-quality towels whose texture lasts even with daily use. The manufacturing philosophy of Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd. is to maximize the goodness of the materials and deliver comfort to the user.
Click here for the Watanabe Pile Textile website
■ About Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd.
Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd. is a regional trading company established on June 2, 2023, to realize the "Setouchi Cross Point Concept." This concept aims to create a cycle of income within the region by transforming the outflow of funds, consumption, and investment into an inflow, taking advantage of Imabari City's location at the "navel" of the Seto Inland Sea.
Through the Imabari City Furusato Nozei program, the company aims for regional revitalization by promoting attractive local products and tourism resources outside the city.
Click here for Imabari City Furusato Nozei (Rakuten Market)
■ From Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture
We sincerely thank you for your support (donations) through the Furusato Nozei program and will use them carefully to promote the development of an attractive and livable city that is "centered on its citizens."
As one example, our policies for migration and settlement have been recognized, and we have won first place in all four categories for four consecutive years in the "Best Countryside to Live In Ranking (towns with a population of 100,000 to less than 200,000)," solidifying our position as a "chosen city." In the field of child-rearing support, our "Imabari Version of Neubola" initiative, which provides seamless support for all aspects of child-rearing from pregnancy and childbirth until the age of 18, has been recognized, and we became the first municipality in Ehime Prefecture to receive the "Japan Child-Rearing Support Grand Prize."
We will continue to strive to be a city chosen by everyone.
2026 Edition, 14th Best Countryside to Live In Ranking
Inquiries
Imabari Akinai Shosha Co., Ltd.
Phone Number: 0898-35-4641