Kumano-ya (Akatsuka-chō, Nagoya)

Kumano-ya (熊野屋) is a long-established food retailer located near the Akatsuka intersection in Higashi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. According to its official website and Japanese Wikipedia, the shop traces its origins to the Edo period: the family moved from Mino and from 1725 (Kyōhō 10) operated an oil shop at the present site. For generations it supplied vegetable oil for lamps to Nagoya Castle and the surrounding castle town, and it later shifted with the times—handling petroleum and edible oils, and eventually becoming a food store. Today Kumano-ya sells additive-free basic seasonings, general foods, traditional foods, oils, soy sauce, miso, and confectionery, and it also carries natural cosmetics such as Weleda, Herb Lab, and Okoppe soap. The shop is run by representative Kumada Hiroshi and offers nationwide service through retail, wholesale, and mail order. It is known for its commitment to what it calls the "four conditions of good food," a framework derived from Isao Isobe's book "Food Appraisal" (Iwanami Shinsho), emphasizing safety, honesty, good taste, and fair pricing. The store also maintains a free "Oil Shop Reference Room" displaying historical materials from the Edo period, and its adjacent Edo-period townhouse building received designation as a Nagoya City Certified Regional Architectural Asset in 2025.

Kumano-ya is a food shop in Akatsuka-chō, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, with origins in the Edo period. According to Japanese Wikipedia, the family moved from Mino during the Manji era (1658–1661) and from 1725 (Kyōhō 10) operated an oil shop at the current location. As an oil wholesaler, it had extensive dealings with the castle town, storing and selling vegetable oils such as rapeseed oil brought from Mino and Mikawa for use in lamps. Historical records mention the name 'Kumano-ya Kiheiji' in the Akatsuka-chō section of 'Kinrin Kujū no Chiri,' and a wooden board bearing the shop's regulations from 1814 (Bunka 11) survives, reprinted in 'Aichi Prefectural History, Materials Edition 15.' About 50 historical documents, known as the 'Kumano family documents,' are preserved, including a banner for 'Onokonando goyō' (a procurement role for the shogunate). In 1868 (Keiō 4), the name 'Akatsuka-chō Kumano-ya Kasuke' appears in the 'Goyōdashi Namae-chō.' After the Meiji era, as oil for lighting was replaced by petroleum, the shop began dealing in petroleum and edible oils. The name 'Kumano-ya Kasuke' appears in an 1880 (Meiji 13) directory, and 'Oil products, Akatsuka-chō, Kumada Kiheiji' in an 1884 (Meiji 17) commercial guide. In 1903 (Meiji 36), the shop won a second prize at the Fifth National Industrial Exposition, and a plaque remains. In 1912 (Taishō 1) and 1913 (Taishō 2) directories list 'Petroleum wholesale and retail, Higashi-ku Akatsuka-chō 1-chōme, Kumano-ya, Kumada Kiheiji.' Besides its main business, the family engaged in finance and was involved in the founding of Kinjō Bank, which failed during the Shōwa Depression. After World War II, the shop handled petroleum and food, conducting wholesale and retail. Inside the store, more than ten large earthenware jars holding one koku of oil each were buried, and oil was sold by ladle. The store building, constructed in 1808 (Bunka 5), was rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1974 (Shōwa 49) for petroleum handling; later, following the times, the shop withdrew from the oil business. As a food store, Kumano-ya's current philosophy was shaped by its encounter in 1977 (Shōwa 52) with Isao Isobe's book 'Food Appraisal' (Iwanami Shinsho). Isobe sought to protect disappearing traditional foods and questioned the state of food. The shop also learned from the way of life of Kazumitsu Asai, who ran a food store in Ichinomiya, Aichi, that honest trade prioritizing quality—not just profit and volume—is possible. Kumano-ya joined the 'Association to Make Good Food,' a group of food manufacturers formed in 1975 (Shōwa 50), and has continued exchanges with conscientious producers. The shop's 'four conditions of good food'—safety and peace of mind, no deception, good taste, and fair prices according to quality—are based on Isobe's criteria. The store also maintains an 'Oil Shop Reference Room' in the former earthen-floor space, displaying materials such as old town maps, licenses, and the 'Onokonando goyō' banner, open free during business hours. The building adjacent to the store, retaining Edo-period townhouse features, was designated a Nagoya City Certified Regional Architectural Asset on July 9, 2025, and was opened to the public during the 'Walk! Cultural Path 2025' event (November 1–25, 2025).

• 2025

  Adjacent Edo-period building designated as Nagoya City Certified Regional Architectural Asset on July 9.

• 2013

  Completes switch to 100% domestic soybeans for all miso products.

• 1977

  Encounters Isao Isobe's 'Food Appraisal,' which becomes the origin of its current philosophy (Shōwa 52).

• 1975

  The 'Association to Make Good Food' is formed; Kumano-ya later joins.

• 1974

  Store rebuilt in reinforced concrete for petroleum handling (Shōwa 49).

• 1912

  Listed as 'Petroleum wholesale and retail, Kumano-ya, Kumada Kiheiji' in the Taishō 1 commercial directory.

• 1903

  Wins second prize at the Fifth National Industrial Exposition (Meiji 36).

• 1884

  'Oil products, Akatsuka-chō, Kumada Kiheiji' listed in a commercial guide (Meiji 17).

• 1880

  Name 'Kumano-ya Kasuke' appears in a Meiji 13 directory.

• 1868

  Name 'Akatsuka-chō Kumano-ya Kasuke' appears in the Goyōdashi Namae-chō (Keiō 4).

• 1833

  Tenpō 4 mark confirmed on the ridge beam during remodeling of the storehouse.

• 1814

  Shop regulations written on a wooden board (Bunka 11), later reprinted in Aichi Prefectural History.

• 1808

  Store building constructed (Bunka 5); a board marked 'Bunka 5' was found during the 1974 rebuild.

• 1725

  Begins operating an oil shop at the current site in Akatsuka-chō (Kyōhō 10).

• 1658

  Family moves from Mino during the Manji era (1658–1661).

A trusted, long-established purveyor of safe, honest, additive-free traditional foods and natural cosmetics, acting as a bridge between conscientious producers and consumers.

• Kin-tsubu miso (bean miso)

  Kumano-ya's signature bean miso, now made with 100% domestically grown soybeans.

• Additive-free oils and soy sauce

  Basic seasonings free of additives.

• Traditional foods and confectionery

  A range of traditional foods and sweets.

• Weleda natural cosmetics

  Natural cosmetics brand carried by the shop.

• Herb Lab products

  Natural cosmetics line handled by the shop.

• Okop-pe soap

  Soap product carried by the shop.

1. 1熊野屋 公式ウェブサイトkumanoya.net
2. 2営業時間＆地図kumanoya.net
3. 3営業時間＆地図kumanoya.net
4. 4Kumano-ya (Akatsuka-chō, Nagoya) - Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5熊野屋 (名古屋市東区赤塚町) - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org