Sagami Co Ltd

What Sagami Co Ltd does

Sagami Co., Ltd. (株式会社さが美) is a Japanese kimono specialty retailer operating 72 physical stores across Japan as of April 2026, with headquarters in Totsuka-ku, Yokohama. The company's operating entity was re-established in December 2017 through a corporate split and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Belluna Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange ticker: 3543) in June 2018, resulting in delisting from the TSE First Section in September 2018. Sagami traces its heritage to Furukawa Gofukuten, founded in Yokohama in 1927. As of April 2026 the company reports 465 employees (regular + part-time) and registered capital of 50 million yen.

Sagami sells traditional Japanese kimono — including formal wear (furisode, tomesode, houmongi), casual lines, washable kimono, and denim kimono — alongside obi sashes, accessories, and jewelry. The company operates a vertically integrated kimono lifecycle: retail sales, professional dressing services (1,500+ furisode dressing services performed annually), the Sagami Kimono Culture Gakuen dressing school (established 1986, offering a five-tier curriculum from beginner at 43,450 yen total to master/instructor certification at 343,750 yen), and proprietary kimono care services branded as Kyosen Washing, Ion Washing, and Ultra Harebare Processing. A related subsidiary, Tokyo Masuiwaya (acquired 2003), covers the high-end kimono segment, and the Japanese Kimono Art Museum (opened October 2022 in Fukushima) reinforces cultural positioning.

The revenue model combines one-time retail purchases, unit-priced professional dressing services (4,400-9,900 yen per session), monthly recurring VIP membership (30,000 yen enrollment + 1,500 yen/month as of July 2025), and multi-month dressing instruction courses. Customers are acquired through a content-driven marketing approach — website, YouTube, Instagram, LINE, free 120-minute dressing trials, community "Kimono Wo Kiru Kai" wearing events, and regional kimono fashion shows — followed by in-store conversion across four primary persona segments: formal-occasion wearers, casual kimono enthusiasts, students aged teens through 70s, and a smaller corporate segment.

Name

Sagami Co Ltd

Legal name

株式会社さが美

Website

https://sgm.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sagami Co., Ltd. operates 72 kimono specialty retail stores across Japan, selling formal and casual kimono alongside professional dressing services, a five-tier dressing school (Sagami Kimono Culture Gakuen), proprietary kimono care, and a VIP membership program, serving women interested in formal-occasion, casual, and educational kimono use.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Yokohama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Kimono and accessory retail sales: Direct retail sale of kimono garments, obi sashes, accessories, and related jewelry items across 72 physical store locations. One-time purchase model with optional tailoring and customization services.
2. VIP Membership Program: Monthly subscription program offering exclusive benefits including free Harebare washing, collar replacement service, and priority access to cleaning and care services.
3. Dressing instruction courses: Structured educational programs teaching traditional hand-tying kimono dressing techniques, from beginner to professional instructor certification levels.
4. Professional dressing services: Fee-based kimono dressing services for special occasions including weddings, ceremonies, and formal events. Available both in-store and as home visit services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sagami Co., Ltd. is a traditional Japanese kimono specialty retailer operating 72 stores nationwide. The company sells kimono garments (including washable kimono and denim kimono lines), obi sashes, and accessories, complemented by professional dressing services for weddings and formal occasions, proprietary kimono care and cleaning services, and the Sagami Kimono Culture Academy offering dressing education from beginner to professional instructor certification.

Product overview

Sagami Co Ltd operates as a traditional Japanese kimono specialty retailer offering a comprehensive product and service portfolio. The core offering includes washable kimono (洗えるきもの) and denim kimono (デニムきもの) product lines alongside formal kimono. The company provides professional care services including 京洗い (Kyoto washing), 汗抜き (perspiration removal), シミ抜き (stain removal), and proprietary treatments like ウルトラはえばれ加工 (Ultra Harebare processing) and イオンウォッシュ (Ion wash). The さが美きもの文化学苑 (Sagami Kimono Culture Academy) operates as a subsidiary education division offering kimono dressing courses from beginner to professional instructor levels. The さが美VIPメンバーズカード provides premium membership benefits including discounted care services. Related facilities include the 日本きもの美術館 (Japanese Kimono Art Museum) showcasing kimono culture and art.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• さが美きもの文化学苑: Kimono dressing school and cultural education institution established in 1986, offering courses in traditional hand-tying kimono dressing techniques
• 東京ますいわ屋
• 日本きもの美術館

Products and services

• Sagami Main Retail Brand (きもののさが美) Traditional Japanese kimono specialty retail chain offering kimono garments, obi sashes, and related accessories. Operates 72 stores nationwide as of April 2026, providing sales, dressing services, and kimono care. Targets women seeking formal kimono for special occasions and casual kimono for everyday wear.
• Washable Kimono Line (洗えるきもの) Easy-care kimono line designed for home washing, tailored for modern lifestyle convenience. Sold across Sagami's 72 retail locations targeting women seeking low-maintenance kimono options.
• Denim Kimono Line (デニムきもの) Kimono made from denim fabric that combines Western and Japanese aesthetics for casual everyday wear. Marketed to consumers new to kimono culture or seeking contemporary casual styling.
• Kyosen Washing (京洗い) Professional kimono cleaning service using petroleum-based solvents to remove oil-based stains such as foundation, butter, and oil-based pen marks without disassembly. Designed to prevent shrinkage and fabric damage. Available through Sagami's care services for kimono owners.
• Ultra Harebare Processing (ウルトラはればれ加工) Advanced fabric protection service combining water-repellent, oil-repellent, antibacterial, antifungal, deodorizing, and stain-removal properties using ultra-micro particle technology. Preserves silk texture and breathability while protecting kimono from environmental damage.
• Ion Washing (イオンウォッシュ) Water-washing service using negative ion technology, effective for cotton and linen yukata and other water-soluble stain removal. Gentle on fabric while removing sweat and water-based stains.
• Sagami VIP Members Card (さが美VIPメンバーズカード) Premium monthly membership program with 30,000 yen enrollment fee and 1,500 yen/month (effective July 2025). Benefits include free Ultra Harebare processing for purchases over 30,000 yen, free Harebare Kyoto washing up to 3 items per month, and free half-collar replacement service. Targets recurring kimono owners seeking ongoing care benefits.
• Sagami Kimono Culture Academy (さが美きもの文化学苑) Kimono dressing school offering traditional hand-tying (te-musubi) dressing instruction using only towels and strings without special tools. Operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary providing certified instruction. Targets students from teenagers to seniors seeking structured dressing education.
• Basic Dressing Course (本科着付けコース) Comprehensive kimono dressing course covering 5 progressive levels: initial course (3 months, 43,450 yen), intermediate (3 months, 56,650 yen), advanced (6 months, 122,100 yen), high-level (6 months, 169,400 yen), and instructor course (11 months, 343,750 yen). Includes certification exams and certificates at each level.
• Professional Dresser Course (着付け師コース) Advanced professional course for experienced dressers covering ceremonial dressing throughout the year and practical professional techniques. 24-month course leading to professional dresser certification.
• Professional Kimono Dressing Service Fee-based kimono dressing services for special occasions including weddings, coming-of-age ceremonies, and formal events. Available both in-store and as home visit services. Pricing varies by kimono type: furisode 9,900 yen (basic) plus 4,400 yen home visit; tomesode 8,800 yen; houmongi/tsukeshage/iromuji/komon/tsumugi/shichi-go-san/male formal wear/hakama 7,700 yen; yukata 4,400 yen.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 furisode dressing services performed annually
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Japanese Kimono Museum (日本きもの美術館)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 October 2022Cultural facility opened October 2022 in Koriyama, Fukushima. First floor houses cafe, second floor features Meisen exhibitions, third floor displays Oiran Dochoko costumes and related accessories. Partner in kimono culture promotion.
• Tokyo Masuiwaya (東京ますいわ屋)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2003High-end kimono specialty store acquired in 2003 through Sagami Kimono Culture Gakuen subsidiary. Operates as related company within Sagami Group, representing premium kimono retail segment.
• Sagami Group Holdings (さが美グループホールディングス)coreOthersParent holding company established in December 2017 through company split. Sagami Corporation operates as wholly-owned subsidiary focusing on kimono retail and dressing education.
• Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (三井住友カード)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCredit card partner for Sagami Card program until discontinuation in August 2024. Card conditions migrated to Mitsui Sumitomo Card standards.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Yumemi Kimono Rental: Tourist-focused kimono rental business concentrated in Kyoto and Tokyo tourist districts. Comparable to Sagami in kimono category but addresses a different use case (tourist short-term rental vs. Sagami's ownership/education model). Emerging segment capitalizing on inbound tourism.
• Sou·Sou: Modern Japanese textile and kimono-inspired apparel brand targeting younger and fashion-forward customers with innovative kimono products and patterns. Comparable to Sagami as a kimono-adjacent player but differentiates through contemporary fashion positioning rather than traditional retail.

Broad incumbents

• Belluna Co., Ltd. Parent company of Sagami since 2018 (TSE ticker 3543). Diversified Japanese retail and mail-order conglomerate operating catalog, e-commerce, and retail businesses. Relevant as Sagami's controlling shareholder and broader strategic context rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Tanakaya Co., Ltd. Major Japanese kimono specialty retailer with chain store presence, dressing instruction schools, and kimono care services. Closely matches Sagami's integrated retail + education + care business model and target customer segments across Japan.
• Kimono Yoho (Marutaka Co., Ltd.): Kimono specialty retailer with both physical stores and e-commerce focus, serving similar customer segments for formal and casual kimono. Comparable to Sagami's modernized retail approach, with somewhat stronger digital presence.
• Iwatani Co., Ltd. Long-established kimono specialty chain offering kimono retail, dressing lessons, and Japanese apparel. Comparable to Sagami across product mix, customer segment, and physical store distribution model.
• Chikuma Co., Ltd. One of Japan's largest kimono specialty retail chains with nationwide physical store presence and educational programs. Directly comparable to Sagami in core product (kimono, obi, accessories), customer base (women seeking traditional and casual kimono), and service model (retail + dressing instruction). Both compete for the same formal-occasion and casualizing customer segments in Japan.

Regional players

• Komehyo Co., Ltd. Japanese secondhand luxury goods dealer with kimono, jewelry, and watch resale. Comparable to Sagami's kimono and accessories categories but operates on a resale model rather than new-product retail, serving adjacent customer demand for affordable kimono access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@KimonoSagami_official
• Instagraminstagram.com/sagami_koushiki
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sagami-co-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries7 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 →

Frequently asked questions about Sagami Co Ltd