History & Milestones

1935
Shibagoro begins operations and establishes Shibataya Liquor Store as a private business.

1969
Company formally established. Shinichiro Shiba becomes the representative director.

1993
Shiba Building completed, with the company office located on the second floor.

1998
Retail sales for home use discontinued, shifting fully to commercial wholesale due to alcohol becoming widely available in convenience stores and supermarkets.
Low-temperature control room for local sake opened, strengthening professional-grade quality control.

1999
Wine cellar opened.

2000
Tobacco sales discontinued due to low profitability and cash flow challenges.

2001
Wine boom begins.
Company positions wine as its main product to become the top supplier for commercial clients.
Declared “No.1 in Japan for commercial wine.”

2002
Product exhibitions introduced.

2003
Business plan presentations launched.
Business plan documentation introduced.
Specialty communication initiatives started.
Shiba Day established.

2005
Company philosophy and vision revised.
Yasuhiro Shiba appointed as the new representative director.
NPO The Road to Prosperity established.

2006
S1 Server Grand Prix launched.
“Taiyo no Kai” management school for restaurant owners established.
Sharing meetings and thank-you card culture introduced.

2007
Leadership Seat program launched.
Recreation facility SHIBATA-SO opened.

2008
Shift from top-down to bottom-up management system.
President’s Advice Sheets (interview-style feedback) introduced.
“Dining Festa” exhibition launched.

2009
Growth Sheet evaluation system implemented.

2010
Nerima Center opened (site approx. 1,000 tsubo, wine cellar 100 tsubo).

2011
Tasting BAR Shibataya Sake Store Main Branch opened.
Introduced Cuvee Kizuna, Kizuna Sake and Seasons Beer, beginning operations as both a manufacturer and wholesaler.
Started purchasing wine containers for direct handling.

2012
Declared the first year of sake expansion, strengthening sales focus.
Heiwajima Center opened (site approx. 1,220m², wine cellar 330m²).

2013
SHIBATA-YA THAILAND opened.
Won the 2012 Dining Award.

2014
Full-scale new graduate recruitment begins.

2015
SHIBATAYA ITALY opened.
Japan Sake Association established.
Started direct import of wine and beer.

2016
All company vehicles refurbished.
Nerima and Heiwajima branches expanded.
Overtime hours reduced.

2017
Overseas training and sake brewery training introduced.
CLUB SHIBATA-YA opened.
Internal infrastructure platform Shibataya Maru launched.

2018
Beer Planning Co., Ltd. joins the group.
SHIBATA-YA KOREA opened.
Shibataya Holdings Co., Ltd. established.
Full low-temperature control implemented at Nerima Center.

2019
Strengthened craft beer sales and launched SAKE-YA ONLINE.
Quarterly pit-in meetings introduced at each branch to review performance and plan next quarter actions.

2021
Shibataya’s original LINE ordering system Cross Order launched.
Official LINE account launched for regular communication, including Specialty Communications.
Ameba Management introduced, allowing all departments to monitor profit and loss accurately.
Substitute delivery alliances formed to improve logistics.

2022
Marketing Department established under Shibataya Holdings, integrating manufacturing functions and supporting original product development, promotions and sales management.
Special Sales Department launched.

2023
Hasayama Warehouse newly constructed for direct import operations.
Heiwajima Warehouse upgraded to full active centre. 

2024
Mishima Sake Co., Ltd. (Hiroshima), Masumura Sake Co., Ltd. (Gunma) and Matsuda Sake Co., Ltd. (Kagawa) established.
Monthly tasting events started.
Nishi-Tokyo Warehouse opened as a new active centre.