Mito — Travelrags

Atlas ObscuraAug 7, 2026

Kongo Gumi in Osaka, Japan

Japan is home to about two dozen businesses over a thousand years old, including Keiunkan ( https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/nishiyama-onsen-keiunkan ) and Wasuke ( https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ichimonjiya-wasuke ). Osaka-based construction company Kongo Gumi is the oldest of those, and the oldest company in the entire world. Its history goes all the way back to 578 AD. The founder of…

10 things in this story

Kōbuntei teahouseSightKongo Gumi contributed to its restoration.
Kairaku-en gardensGarden偕楽園は金沢の兼六園、岡山の後楽園とならぶ「日本三名園」のひとつで、天保13年（1842年）に水戸藩第九代藩主徳川斉昭によって造園されました。斉昭は、千波湖に臨む七面山を切り開き、領内の民と偕（とも）に楽しむ場にしたいと願い、「偕楽園」をつ…
Elsewhere
KeiunkanHotelChūō, JapanThe oldest hotel in the world has been operated by the same family for over 1,300 years, even catering to samurai.
WasukeRestaurantTokyo, JapanEstablished over a thousand years ago, this family-run teahouse continues to serve skewers of sweet rice cake to this…
Kongo GumiPlaceOsaka, JapanOldest construction company in the world, founded in 578 AD.
Hōryū-ji temple complexSightIkaruga, JapanDestroyed several times throughout its history.
Osaka CastleSightOsaka, JapanKongo Gumi contributed to its construction.
Tayasu GateSightTokyo, JapanRestoration contributed to by Kongo Gumi.
Kuon-ji TemplePlace of worshipMinobu, JapanKongo Gumi contributed to the five-story pagoda's restoration.
Shiten’nō-ji TempleSightOsaka, Japan

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