Izutsuya
Retailer / private label
UnclaimedIzutsuya is a Japanese department store chain based in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, operating its flagship Kokura store and satellite shops in Kyushu and Yamaguchi.
Last updated September 26, 2026
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Overview
Izutsuya Co., Ltd. (株式会社井筒屋) is a Japanese department store operator headquartered in Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. It is the only department store business group still operating in Kitakyushu, a designated major city, after all competing department stores withdrew from the city. The company traces its origins to July 1935, when it was established as Izutsuya Department Store Co., Ltd. through joint investment by Keijiro Kanzaki, then mayor of Kokura and owner of the inn 'Umeya', and Yutaro Sumioka, who ran a kimono fabric shop named 'Izutsuya' in Moji. The Kokura main store opened in October 1936. The company was formerly part of the Nishi-Nippon Railroad (Nishitetsu) group, and Nishitetsu remains a major shareholder with 9.2% of shares. Izutsuya operates its flagship Kokura main store in Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, and a store in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, run by an affiliated company, Yamaguchi Izutsuya. It also operates small satellite shops and gift shops, mainly in Fukuoka Prefecture, often located within or adjacent to large shopping centers. In the past, it had multiple stores across Fukuoka and beyond, including the Kurosaki store, which closed in 2020, and the Collet store, which closed in 2019. The company has undergone significant restructuring since the late 2000s, closing unprofitable stores, reducing capital, and focusing resources on its Kitakyushu base. In April 2021, it reduced its capital from 10.532 billion yen to 100 million yen to eliminate accumulated losses and reduce tax burden. Izutsuya is listed on the Fukuoka Stock Exchange (since 1961) and was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (since 1972, moved to the First Section in 1973). It is a member of the Japan Department Stores Association. The company celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2026, as indicated by its official website promoting a '90th Anniversary Commemorative 48th Grand Kyoto Exhibition'.
History
Izutsuya was established in July 1935 as Izutsuya Department Store Co., Ltd. (株式会社井筒屋百貨店) through joint investment by Keijiro Kanzaki, then mayor of Kokura and owner of the inn 'Umeya', and Yutaro Sumioka, who operated a kimono fabric shop called 'Izutsuya' in Moji. The site was provided by Umeya, and the company name inherited the 'Izutsuya' trade name. Kyushu Electric Railway (later Nishi-Nippon Railroad) also invested, and the Kokura main store opened on October 6, 1936. In 1937, it merged with Kyukyu Department Store, a subsidiary of Kyushu Electric Railway, and became part of that group. In 1951, the company changed its name to Izutsuya Co., Ltd. It opened the Iizuka branch in 1949 and the Yahata store (later Kurosaki store) in 1959. It was listed on the Fukuoka Stock Exchange in 1961 and on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section in 1972, moving to the First Section in 1973. In 1966, subsidiary Hakata Izutsuya opened in the Hakata Station building. In 1969, it established Izutsuya Chimakiya with Ube Chimakiya, which became Ube Izutsuya in 1972. The company expanded with stores such as Wakamatsu Izutsuya (1979), Ukiha Izutsuya (1987), and the main store annex (1998). In 2003, it formed a partnership with Isetan. In 2004, it invested 30% in Kokura Isetan, which opened on the site of the former Kokura Sogo. However, due to poor sales, it bought out Isetan's stake for 1 yen per share and reopened as Collet Izutsuya on April 1, 2008, later renamed Collet in 2009. Hakata Izutsuya closed on March 31, 2007, due to the redevelopment of Hakata Station, and the company received 45 billion yen in compensation. In 2007, it opened Salon de Izutsuya U in Hakata Riverain, but closed it in June 2009. The company faced financial difficulties, posting a recurring loss in the fiscal year ending February 2009, and implemented restructuring measures including reducing store hours, cutting executive positions, and closing unprofitable stores such as Iizuka Izutsuya (2009), Kurume Izutsuya (2009), and Ube store (2018). In 2010, it sought financial support from banks. In 2018, it announced the closure of the Ube store, Collet, and Kurosaki store, recording a special loss of 3.4 billion yen. The Kurosaki store was initially downsized but closed on August 17, 2020, due to the bankruptcy of Mate Kurosaki, and reopened as a satellite shop in Aeon Town Kurosaki on September 1, 2020. In April 2021, the company reduced its capital from 10.532 billion yen to 100 million yen to eliminate accumulated losses. As of 2026, the company operates its Kokura main store and Yamaguchi store, along with satellite shops, and celebrated its 90th anniversary.
- 2021
Capital reduced from 10.532 billion yen to 100 million yen
- 2020
Kurosaki store closed; satellite shop reopened in Aeon Town Kurosaki
- 2018
Announced closure of Ube store, Collet, and Kurosaki store
- 2009
Collet renamed; Iizuka Izutsuya closed; Salon de Izutsuya U closed
- 2008
Collet Izutsuya opened after acquiring Kokura Isetan
- 2007
Hakata Izutsuya closed; Salon de Izutsuya U opened
- 2004
Kokura Isetan opened with 30% investment
- 2003
Partnership with Isetan
- 1998
Main store annex opened
- 1987
Ukiha Izutsuya opened
Products and positioning
Regional department store chain focusing on Kitakyushu and Yamaguchi, offering a mix of fashion, food, and lifestyle goods with a concentration on local market.
Product categories. Department store retail · Apparel · Food and groceries · Gift items · Jewelry · Home goods
Sources3 sources
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