What Nature & Health & Communication does

Nature & Health & Communication (株式会社NHC) is a privately held Japanese diversified health enterprise group headquartered in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, founded in April 1988 by Sadao Suzuki (鈴木 貞男). The group operates 12 business segments — food, pharmaceutical manufacturing, retail store operations, mail-order, restaurants, real estate, logistics, domestic wholesale, international, insurance agency, elderly care, and hotel — anchored by a vertically integrated health-food business. Core products center on proprietary fermented goods, most notably Oishisu Vinegar (おいしい酢), which uses a static fermentation method requiring a minimum 3-month batch cycle and achieves 3.8 million+ bottles sold annually, and Tensei Kouso (天生酵素) enzyme supplements produced at the Shōkawa Research Institute in Takayama City (elevation 1,050m).

Underlying technology is multi-stage polymerized fermentation (多段階重合発酵), a proprietary process patented in Japan, the United States, and the European Union, supported by pharmaceutical-grade water purification and GMP-compliant manufacturing facilities operated through subsidiary Nihon Seiyaku Kogyo (Japan Pharmaceutical Industrial Co., acquired November 2007). The company generates revenue through a membership-based, in-store consultation sales model across approximately 1,800 directly-managed HAKKOU SHOP retail stores nationwide, supplemented by mail-order and e-commerce (oishiisu.jp), restaurant chains (including Hida Takayama Chalet Mitsuba and Shabushabu On-Yasai), real estate and resort development (Hida Seiryu no Sato), elderly daycare services (Momiji no Sato), Hotel Prism, and an Aflac insurance agency operation. International sales reach Italy, France, Spain, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore via local e-commerce platforms and physical stores.

The group transitioned to a holding company structure on January 1, 2024, with NHC Holdings as parent, and reported consolidated revenue of 472 billion JPY for FY March 2026 with 1,775 employees. Headquartered in Nagoya with regional offices across Japan, the company has received 7 consecutive Monde Selection Gold Medals (2013-2019) for Oishisu Vinegar and a Blue Ribbon Medal from the Prime Minister's Office in 2024 for public welfare contributions, and operates joint research partnerships with Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Gifu Pharmaceutical University.

Name

Nature & Health & Communication

Legal name

株式会社NHC

Website

https://kk-nhc.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

NHC (Nature & Health & Communication) is a private Japanese diversified health enterprise group headquartered in Nagoya, producing patented fermented health foods and operating approximately 1,800 directly-managed HAKKOU SHOP retail stores, mail-order, and 12 business segments serving health-conscious consumers domestically and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Health Foods & Supplements

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311), Specialty Food Retailers (4452)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)

akta.pro primary industry

Health Food & Supplement Stores (CRAHAEAC)

Keywords

• Natural health foods
• Fermented vinegar products
• Enzyme dietary supplements
• Natural cosmetics
• Direct retail health stores

Headquarters

HQ city

Nagoya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Store Sales (店舗販売): Revenue from approximately 1,800 directly-managed health food retail stores nationwide selling vinegar, enzyme supplements, cosmetics, and health products. Stores operate on a membership-based model with in-store explanation sales.
2. Mail-Order / E-commerce (通信販売): Revenue from catalog and online sales through Tsuuhan Club (不通俱樂部) and the dedicated e-commerce site oishiisu.jp. Fulfilled through proprietary logistics centers with automated warehousing systems.
3. Restaurant Operations (飲食事業): Revenue from restaurant chains including 飛騨高山茶寮 三葉 (Japanese tea house), しゃぶしゃぶ温野菜 (4 locations), 丸源ラーメン, and ひつまぶし一葉.
4. Real Estate (不動産事業): Revenue from real estate sales, leasing, brokerage, and resort development including 飛騨清流の里 villa development along the Seto Rapids Driveway.
5. Pharmaceutical Products (医薬品事業): Revenue from pharmaceutical products manufactured by 日本製薬工業株式会社 using natural ingredients with GMP-compliant production facilities.
6. Elderly Care Services (介護事業): Revenue from daycare (通所介護/デイサービス) facilities including もみじの里, offering bathing, meals, and rehabilitation services.
7. Insurance Agency (保険事業): Commission revenue as an Aflac (アフラック) insurance solicitation agency through the NHC Insurance Support Center.
8. Hotel Operations (ホテル事業): Revenue from Hotel Prism (ホテルプリズム) located near Nagoya Station, a multi-purpose hotel with themed floor designs.
9. International Sales (国際事業): Revenue from overseas sales across EU countries (Italy, France, Spain) and Asian markets (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore) through local e-commerce platforms and physical stores.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NHC plans, manufactures, wholesales, and retails natural foods (primarily fermented vinegar and condiments), dietary supplements (enzyme-based products), and natural cosmetics under proprietary multi-stage polymerized fermentation technology. Sales occur through approximately 1,800 directly-managed HAKKOU SHOP retail outlets, the Tsuhan Club mail-order and e-commerce service (oishiisu.jp), and international channels. The company also operates ancillary restaurant, hotel, elderly care, real estate, logistics, insurance agency, and pharmaceutical businesses that support its core health products ecosystem.

Product overview

NHC (Natural & Health & Communication) operates as a comprehensive health enterprise group centered on food and health products. The core product portfolio includes おいしい酢 (Oishisu Vinegar) - a traditional static-fermented vinegar achieving 3.8 million annual sales - and 天生酵素 (Tensei Kouso) enzyme supplements with patented multi-stage fermentation technology. These are distributed through the HAKKOU SHOP retail chain (~1,800 stores nationwide) and 通販俱楽部 e-commerce platform. The group has diversified into 12 business segments: food manufacturing (日本自然発酵), pharmaceutical (日本製薬工業), retail stores, e-commerce, restaurant (operating restaurants including 飛騨高山茶寮三葉, しゃぶしゃぶ温野菜, 丸源ラーメン), real estate, logistics, domestic wholesale, international business, insurance (Aflack agency), nursing care (もみじの里 daycare), and hotel (ホテルプリズム).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• おいしい酢: 主力商品の飲んで أيضاً酢。温州みかん果汁を発酵・熟成したみかん果実酢を使用。年間400万本以上販売。
• おいしい白だし
• おいしい黒酢
• 天生酵素
• Fruit Vinegar

Products and services

• Oishisu Vinegar (おいしい酢) NHC's flagship static-fermented vinegar using a proprietary multi-stage polymerized fermentation method. It is mild, smooth, and non-pungent, suitable for daily consumption, with annual sales of approximately 3.8 million bottles, a Rakuten No.1 ranking in the seasoning/vinegar category, and 7 consecutive years of Monde Selection gold medals. Targeted at health-conscious Japanese consumers seeking preventive health through fermented foods.
• Tensei Kouso (天生酵素) Plant-based enzyme dietary supplement produced via multi-stage polymerized fermentation at the Shōkawa Research Institute. Holds patents in Japan, USA, and EU, including Japan's first 'anti-aging agent' human body function patent (2016). Targeted at health-conscious adult consumers seeking enzyme supplementation.
• Amo Enzyme 77 (あもう酵素77) Enzyme supplement product featured in NHC's mail-order and e-commerce channels (oishiisu.jp), fulfilled through the Kasugai Logistics Center with automated warehousing. Targeted at mail-order health food consumers.
• Oishii Brand Food Seasonings (おいしい seasoning line) Line of natural food condiments and dashi seasonings under the Oishii brand, including white dashi, black vinegar, Japanese-style dashi, soy sauce, chicken dashi, tomato dashi, and root kombu dashi. Uses carefully selected ingredients such as Hokkaido Hidaka kombu, Yaizu bonito flakes, Nagasaki sardines, and Mikawa white soy sauce. Targeted at home cooking consumers seeking restaurant-quality flavor.
• Fruit Vinegar (フルーツビネガー) Four-variety fruit vinegar line with balanced fruit juice content, finished with fresh aroma and mellow acidity. Designed to be mixed with carbonated water or milk, or served with ice cream and yogurt. Targeted at health-conscious beverage consumers.
• Oishisu Vinegar Tensei Moromi (おいしい酢 天生もろみ) Plant-based fermentation moromi extract from the Tensei Kōso production process, available exclusively at HAKKOU SHOP retail locations. Can be diluted with water, carbonated water, milk, or soy milk for beverages or cooking. Targeted at HAKKOU SHOP members.
• Tsuhan Club Mail-Order Service (通販倶楽部 / oishiisu.jp) National mail-order and e-commerce service operated by Nihon Shizen Hakko, including catalog sales and the dedicated oishiisu.jp platform. Fulfilled through proprietary Kasugai Logistics Center with automated warehouse and picking systems. Targeted at Japanese health-food consumers preferring home delivery.
• HAKKOU SHOP Retail Network Direct retail store brand selling Oishisu Vinegar, enzyme supplements, and related fermented health foods. Stores offer product tastings and operate on a membership-based in-store consultation sales model. Approximately 1,800 locations nationwide, with a target of 2,000 stores. Targeted at Japanese consumers preferring in-person consultation and trial.
• Momiji no Sato Kamado Cooked Rice Day Service (もみじの里 かまと炊きご飯のデイサービス) Day care service for elderly users featuring rice cooked in traditional kamado (stone pot), rehabilitation equipment, karaoke space, cafe lounge, and bath facilities. Located in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture. Targeted at elderly Japanese consumers and their families needing daytime nursing care support.
• Hotel Prism (ホテルプリズム) Multi-purpose hotel near Nagoya Station Shinkansen exit with theme-colored floors and three guest room types, serving accommodation, business meetings, and events. Targeted at business travelers and event attendees in the Nagoya area.
• NHC Insurance Support Center (Aflac Agency) Insurance solicitation agency operating as an Aflac partner through the NHC Insurance Support Center, offering cancer and medical insurance products. Targeted at NHC retail and mail-order customers seeking supplemental health-related insurance.
• NHC Restaurant Operations Restaurant chains under NHC's food service business, including Hida Takayama Sanryo Mitsuba Japanese tea house, Shabushabu Onyasan (4 locations), Nidaime Marugen Ramen, Hitsumabushi Ichiba, and the Kominka Cafe Sakakibara in Takayama's historic district. Targeted at local diners, tourists, and consumers in the Takayama and broader Nagoya/Chubu region.
• Nihon Seiyaku Kogyo Pharmaceutical Products (日本製薬工業) Pharmaceutical products manufactured by Nihon Seiyaku Kogyo (Japan Pharmaceutical Industries) using natural ingredients at GMP-compliant facilities in Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture. Targeted at domestic pharmaceutical distribution and wholesale customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• おいしい酢 annual sales of 380万本+ (approximately 1 bottle every 10 seconds)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered moderate, minor and major.

• Gifu Pharmaceutical University (岐阜薬科大学)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026NHC Group company 日本自然発酵 entered joint research with Gifu Pharmaceutical University on brewed vinegar (醸造酢). Research conducted under the newly established 'Brewed Vinegar Health Science Endowed Chair' (醸造酢健康科学寄付講座), investigating the 'deliciousness' and 'health' properties of vinegar scientifically. Coverage by Chunichi Shimbun newspaper.
• Gifu City (岐阜市)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2024NHC made a donation to Gifu Pharmaceutical University's campus development project via the corporate local tax contribution system (企業版ふるさと納税), honoring the late Professor Mizuno Mizuho who contributed to NHC's enzyme product development for over 25 years.
• Takayama City (高山市)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2023NHC Holdings made donations to Takayama City via the corporate local tax contribution system (企業版ふるさと納税), supporting the Shōkawa region integrated nursery/elementary/middle school development project and Riverside Park restoration, in the region where the Shōkawa Research Institute is located.
• Nagoya City (名古屋市)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2023Nihon Shizen Hakko made a donation to Nagoya City via the corporate local tax contribution system. The donation was allocated to the Nagoya Castle main tower wooden reconstruction project (名古屋城天守閣の木造復元事業). Mayor Kawamura presented the gratitude award.
• Aichi Prefecture (愛知県)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2022NHC received a gratitude award from Aichi Prefecture commemorating the 150th anniversary of prefecture governance, recognized for contributions to Aichi's industrial development.
• Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine (京都大学医学研究室)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2020Joint research on plant fermentation food-derived compounds for controlling β-lactamase-producing multidrug-resistant bacteria (抗菌薬多剤耐性菌の制御), from August 2020 to March 2021. Research led by Associate Professor Osamu Tokuno (Kyoto University) and Masahiro Nakanishi (Nihon Shizen Hakko Shōkawa Research Institute Director).
• Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) / MAFFmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2019NHC participated in the 'Japan Food Export EXPO' (日本食品輸出EXPO) co-sponsored by JETRO and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (农林水産省). 700+ exhibitors, 20,000+ domestic and international buyers attended.
• Aflac Japan (アフラック)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNHC operates as an Aflac solicitation agency through the NHC Insurance Support Center (保険サポートセンター), offering cancer and medical insurance products to customers.
• Niihama Reon (新浜レオン)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerEnka singer appointed as official brand ambassador (アンバサダー) for Nihon Shizen Hakko in October 2023. Appeared in TV commercial produced March 2025.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FANCL Corporation: Listed Japanese supplements and cosmetics company with mail-order (kyodotoku) and direct sales model. Closely comparable to NHC's supplement/DTC health product business and member-driven consultation sales approach.
• Ito En (伊藤園): Japan's largest health-focused beverage company (green tea, vegetable juices) with broad retail distribution. Comparable as a Japanese health/beverage brand operating its own retail and mail-order channels, including tea-house restaurant concepts.
• Mizkan Holdings: Japan's leading vinegar and condiments producer (Kikkoman's vinegar rival). Directly comparable as a Japanese vinegar manufacturer competing in the same category as NHC's flagship おいしい酢, with similar retail distribution and product breadth.
• DHC Corporation: Major Japanese mail-order supplements and cosmetics brand with vertically integrated manufacturing and e-commerce. Comparable business model to NHC's mail-order and supplement portfolio, especially on the e-commerce and cosmetics side.
• Marukin (Marukin Shoyu & Vinegar): Long-established Japanese vinegar and soy sauce maker competing head-to-head with NHC's fermented vinegar product line. Similar heritage-driven fermentation technology and Japanese retail focus.
• Amway Japan: Japan subsidiary of Amway, the global direct-selling health and home products company. Closely comparable to NHC's membership-based in-store explanation sales and member-recruitment model in the Japanese market.

Broad incumbents

• Yakult Honsha: Iconic Japanese fermented health beverage maker with proprietary Lactobacillus science and large R&D footprint. Broader incumbent in fermented functional foods overlapping NHC's fermentation health-product positioning.
• Asahi Group Holdings: Major Japanese food and beverage conglomerate. Relevant as a broad incumbent with health-and-wellness product lines and large retail distribution that overlap with NHC's fermented health food offering.
• Kikkoman Corporation: Japan's flagship soy sauce and sauce manufacturer with significant vinegar operations internationally. Comparable as a leading Japanese fermented condiment maker with strong retail and international presence, competing in overlapping product categories.
• Kobayashi Pharmaceutical: Major Japanese OTC healthcare and household products company with strong consumer brand portfolio. Comparable as a broad incumbent in Japanese consumer health adjacent to NHC's health-food and supplement categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsNJW0wpz4E0Nf51KRUUGsA
• Instagraminstagram.com/nhc_recruit

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

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