Kanata Seisakusho, a Furniture Factory Celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2027, Dreams of Becoming a 'Catalyst Location' to Reaffirm the 'Charm of Tondabayashi' and the 'Value of Domestic Manufacturing'
Kanata Seisakusho, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2027, announced its dream to become a 'catalyst location' that helps visitors rediscover the deep charm of Tondabayashi and the true value of domestic manufacturing through an 'open factory' concept.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 09:00
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We endorse April Dream, a project that aims to make April 1st a day for companies to announce their dreams. This press release is the dream of 'Kanata Seisakusho Co., Ltd.'
Kanata Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tondabayashi City, Osaka; Representative Director: Keiji Kanata), which develops the original furniture brand 'SWITCH' in Tondabayashi City, Osaka Prefecture, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027. Our dream for the next 100 years is for our factory to become a 'catalyst' that allows visitors to discover the profound charm of Tondabayashi and to reaffirm the true value of continuing manufacturing in Japan.
## 1. 100 Years of 'Honest Craftsmanship' Starting with Zero Fighter Seats
Kanata Seisakusho began in 1927 (Showa 2) when its founder manufactured seats for fighter planes. After the war, the company shifted to 'rattan furniture,' a symbol of peace, and baby carriages, then developed zaisu (legless chair) brands in response to changing times. In 1999, driven by the desire to 'create furniture that we can live with throughout our lives, not just sellable items,' we launched our original brand 'SWITCH.' Throughout these changing times, what we have consistently upheld for 100 years in Tondabayashi is this 'honest craftsmanship.'
Catalog of products carried by the founder
## 2. The Day We Opened Our 'Rural Factory' and Reaffirmed Its Value
In recent years, we faced a challenge. While we supplied products to many interior shops and held exhibitions in Tokyo, the fact remained that 'local people living next to the factory didn't know what we were making.'
'Isn't what's truly important to convey the value at our feet, rather than to someone far away?' With this thought, in 2024, we held our first open factory (marche) involving local businesses in Minamikawachi. On that day, 271 local residents visited, and craftsmen heard directly from customers, 'I can't believe there was such an amazing factory in Tondabayashi!' We became convinced that opening a furniture factory is not merely for selling products, but an opportunity to help people rediscover the 'charm of Tondabayashi' and the 'value of handmade goods, not mass-produced ones.'
2025/12 2nd floor showroom during the event, temporarily full
## 3. Towards the Next 100 Years: Kanata Seisakusho's 'Three Dreams'
As we approach the significant milestone of our 100th anniversary, we envision three 'dreams for the next 100 years.'
- **Becoming a 'Gateway' to Discover the Charm of Tondabayashi:** Fortunately, most people have furniture in their homes, but few pay attention to where or by whom it's made. We want to attract people from outside the city and prefecture through factory events and tours. We aim to be a presence where 'visiting Kanata Seisakusho's furniture' becomes the first opportunity to experience the history, culture, and warmth of the people of Tondabayashi.
- **Creating Lifelong Companions Through 'Made in Japan' Production:** Instead of 'discarding when broken,' we want to make 'urethane replacement' and 'fabric re-upholstery' standard options, possible only because we have a factory and craftsmen in Japan. We nurture furniture where even scratches and fading become cherished memories.
- **Passing on the Value of Japanese Craftsmanship to the Next Generation:** The sound of sewing machines, the smell of wood being planed. Through hands-on experiences, we want local students and children to reaffirm that 'manufacturing is a cool and aspirational profession.' We will pass on the baton of 100 years of accumulated technology to the next generation.
Every manufacturing process is modest and lacks flashiness. To continue making genuine furniture with 100 years of accumulated technology, so that people can truly feel, 'Japanese craftsmanship is indeed wonderful.'
'April Dream' is a project by PR TIMES where companies announce their dreams they wish to achieve on April 1st.
[Company Information] Company Name: Kanata Seisakusho Co., Ltd. Location: 1-2-41 Miyamachi, Tondabayashi City, Osaka Representative: Keiji Kanata, Representative Director Founded: 1927 Business Activities: Planning, manufacturing, and sales of original furniture and interior goods Brand Site: https://www.switch-works.com/
Kanata Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tondabayashi City, Osaka; Representative Director: Keiji Kanata), which develops the original furniture brand 'SWITCH' in Tondabayashi City, Osaka Prefecture, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027. Our dream for the next 100 years is for our factory to become a 'catalyst' that allows visitors to discover the profound charm of Tondabayashi and to reaffirm the true value of continuing manufacturing in Japan.
## 1. 100 Years of 'Honest Craftsmanship' Starting with Zero Fighter Seats
Kanata Seisakusho began in 1927 (Showa 2) when its founder manufactured seats for fighter planes. After the war, the company shifted to 'rattan furniture,' a symbol of peace, and baby carriages, then developed zaisu (legless chair) brands in response to changing times. In 1999, driven by the desire to 'create furniture that we can live with throughout our lives, not just sellable items,' we launched our original brand 'SWITCH.' Throughout these changing times, what we have consistently upheld for 100 years in Tondabayashi is this 'honest craftsmanship.'
Catalog of products carried by the founder
## 2. The Day We Opened Our 'Rural Factory' and Reaffirmed Its Value
In recent years, we faced a challenge. While we supplied products to many interior shops and held exhibitions in Tokyo, the fact remained that 'local people living next to the factory didn't know what we were making.'
'Isn't what's truly important to convey the value at our feet, rather than to someone far away?' With this thought, in 2024, we held our first open factory (marche) involving local businesses in Minamikawachi. On that day, 271 local residents visited, and craftsmen heard directly from customers, 'I can't believe there was such an amazing factory in Tondabayashi!' We became convinced that opening a furniture factory is not merely for selling products, but an opportunity to help people rediscover the 'charm of Tondabayashi' and the 'value of handmade goods, not mass-produced ones.'
2025/12 2nd floor showroom during the event, temporarily full
## 3. Towards the Next 100 Years: Kanata Seisakusho's 'Three Dreams'
As we approach the significant milestone of our 100th anniversary, we envision three 'dreams for the next 100 years.'
- **Becoming a 'Gateway' to Discover the Charm of Tondabayashi:** Fortunately, most people have furniture in their homes, but few pay attention to where or by whom it's made. We want to attract people from outside the city and prefecture through factory events and tours. We aim to be a presence where 'visiting Kanata Seisakusho's furniture' becomes the first opportunity to experience the history, culture, and warmth of the people of Tondabayashi.
- **Creating Lifelong Companions Through 'Made in Japan' Production:** Instead of 'discarding when broken,' we want to make 'urethane replacement' and 'fabric re-upholstery' standard options, possible only because we have a factory and craftsmen in Japan. We nurture furniture where even scratches and fading become cherished memories.
- **Passing on the Value of Japanese Craftsmanship to the Next Generation:** The sound of sewing machines, the smell of wood being planed. Through hands-on experiences, we want local students and children to reaffirm that 'manufacturing is a cool and aspirational profession.' We will pass on the baton of 100 years of accumulated technology to the next generation.
Every manufacturing process is modest and lacks flashiness. To continue making genuine furniture with 100 years of accumulated technology, so that people can truly feel, 'Japanese craftsmanship is indeed wonderful.'
'April Dream' is a project by PR TIMES where companies announce their dreams they wish to achieve on April 1st.
[Company Information] Company Name: Kanata Seisakusho Co., Ltd. Location: 1-2-41 Miyamachi, Tondabayashi City, Osaka Representative: Keiji Kanata, Representative Director Founded: 1927 Business Activities: Planning, manufacturing, and sales of original furniture and interior goods Brand Site: https://www.switch-works.com/
FAQ
What exactly does Kanata Seisakusho mean by a "catalyst location"?
It's a hub where the factory becomes an "open place" through events and tours, allowing visitors to rediscover the charm of Tondabayashi and the value of domestic manufacturing in Japan.
What kind of project is "April Dream"?
It's a project by PR TIMES where companies announce their future dreams and visions on April 1st.
What are the characteristics of Kanata Seisakusho's "SWITCH" brand?
Based on the concept of "furniture we can live with throughout our lives, not just sellable items," it offers high-quality original furniture designed for long-term use.