Imabari Towel, a Japan Brand promoted by the Imabari Towel Industry Association (Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, Chairman: Yoshifumi Tanaka), is holding a manufacturer pop-up event at its official shop, "Imabari Towel Minami-Aoyama Store." This 22nd iteration features Kontex Inc., a company that has been pursuing manufacturing that "values individuality over efficiency" since its founding in 1934. This exhibition and sale event, showcasing the "various everyday scenes where each towel is used" that the company envisioned during product development, will be held from Thursday, April 16, 2026, to Monday, April 27, 2026. Kontex has always stood from the user's perspective, pursuing "just right" for the "someone" who will use the product.

22nd Imabari Towel Manufacturer Pop-Up

Exhibition Concept: "A Snapshot of Life with Towels" at the Origin of Manufacturing

This exhibition will visually represent Kontex's constant question during product planning and design: "When, where, and who will use this towel?" through warm illustrations and displays. It aims to create an exhibition space where visitors can intuitively find the "just right" towel for themselves or their loved ones, experiencing the "tactile feel" achieved by intentionally slowing down the speed of Kontex's specialized looms.

▶ Experience Choosing by "Usage Scene"

Illustrations and displays depicting specific scenes where each towel is actually used in daily life, such as in the kitchen, bathroom, or when going out.

▶ Consumer-Centric Product Development

Exhibiting products with rooted backgrounds, such as hooded bath towels born from the wish to "bring a little more ease to child-rearing," and stretchable pillow covers based on actual user experiences.

We invite you to visit the Imabari Towel Minami-Aoyama Store and experience finding your own perfect towel.

Pop-Up Period 2026 April 16 (Thu) - April 27 (Mon)

KIYORA

Example Products for Sale

KIYORA (Antibacterial & Deodorizing Towel)

This popular series achieved 3,400% of its funding goal on the crowdfunding site Makuake. With the concept of the towel itself continuously reducing bacteria, it combines high antibacterial and deodorizing functions with luxurious volume and a soft touch. Each product's size is meticulously designed, making it an unprecedented specialized towel. Based on the common feature of cleanliness, there are two types: "KIYORA Premium," which has luxurious volume and is highly resistant to odors from indoor drying, and "KIYORA Skincare," specialized in minimizing friction against the skin, referred to as "non-rubbing."

About Products for Sale

▶ Mon Fukin (Waffle Weave with 21 Designs)

A dishcloth utilizing Imabari's unique jacquard weaving technique, which received significant acclaim at this spring's exhibition. It features 21 artistically designed patterns expressed in a waffle weave. Beyond the design, the most important aspect is its functionality as a dishcloth: "it firmly absorbs water from the day you buy it." Experience the absorbency that you can feel from the start and the pleasant texture unique to waffle weave.

▶ Assortment of Everyday Companion Classics

We will exhibit and sell numerous long-selling hit products with backgrounds based on real-life experiences, such as hooded bath towels created with the wish to "bring a little more ease to child-rearing," and easy-to-put-on stretchable pillow covers. We offer many items that embody "just right for someone, somewhere."

Gift Campaign: Enjoy a New Encounter with "Towel Gacha"

Customers who spend ¥5,000 (excluding tax) or more on Kontex products during the event period can enjoy our "Towel Gacha," a first-time initiative.

[Sustainable Spirit]

High-quality products that narrowly missed our strict inspection standards but retain their functionality and comfort will be used as prizes.

[Accidental Encounter]

This project was born from the desire "not to waste carefully woven items," allowing you to discover products you might not usually pick up.

Limited to the first 200 customers. Distribution ends when prizes run out.

Comment from Kontex Representative ~Kontex's Philosophy~

We are truly delighted to host this new initiative, including an exhibition visualizing "scenes of life" and our first "Towel Gacha," at Imabari Towel's direct store. We want to transform our "desire not to waste carefully woven products" into an opportunity for people to encounter new items. Please come to the Imabari Towel Minami-Aoyama Store to enjoy interacting with our products and find your own "just right."

About Kontex

"Valuing individuality over efficiency."

Since our founding in 1934, we have cherished manufacturing that "values individuality over efficiency." In our own factory, we use a variety of looms, from different eras and with different drive mechanisms, to bring out the individuality of our diverse products. We have pursued a "tactile feel" that cannot be quantified, sometimes by intentionally slowing down the loom's speed. We believe in accumulating small, meticulous efforts at every stage to maximize the potential of the materials.

Company Name: Kontex Inc.

Representative: Takafumi Kondo

Founded: 1934

Location: Takuma Kou 854-1, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture

Phone: 0898-23-3921

Capital: 10 million JPY

Number of Employees: 100

Business Description: Towel manufacturing and sales

Company URL: https://kontex.co.jp

Online Store: https://www.kontex-shop.com

X: @kontex_towel

Instagram: @kontex_official

What is Imabari Towel Manufacturer Pop-Up?

The Imabari Towel Manufacturer Pop-Up focuses on manufacturers that produce Imabari Towels, allowing for direct interaction between the manufacturers who create these products and the users.

Imabari Towels have been produced in the Imabari region of Ehime Prefecture for over 130 years. In 2006, the "Imabari Towel" project was launched. Imabari Towels bearing the logo mark are recognized domestically and internationally as representative products of Japan's quality, signifying "safety, security, and high quality." There are 74 manufacturers of Imabari Towels, and the characteristics of the products vary by company. Through the Imabari Towel Manufacturer Pop-Up, we aim to inform consumers that "Imabari Towel is not just one manufacturer," allowing them to experience the distinct features of each maker and find their personal favorite towel or manufacturer.

Venue: "Imabari Towel Minami-Aoyama Store"

Address: Room 203, 2F, FROM-1st, 5-3-10 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Phone: 03-6427-2941

Business Hours: 10:30 - 19:00

Regular Holidays: 2nd Tuesday of each month

Closed: 3rd Sunday in February / August, Year-end and New Year holidays

*Please check the website for temporary closures.

https://www.imabaritowel.jp/store#aoyama

A 5-minute walk from Exit A5 of Omotesando Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Chiyoda Line, and Hanzomon Line, turning right.

Past Imabari Towel Manufacturer Pop-Up Events

Past pop-up event records for each manufacturer can be found on the official Imabari Towel brand site IMABARI LIFE.

Official Imabari Towel Brand Site IMABARI LIFE: https://www.imabaritowel.jp/imabari_life/popup

Imabari Towel Industry Association Overview

Representative: Chairman Yoshifumi Tanaka

Location:

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: News