@OKUYAMATO NARA 奥大和 奈良

The Ever-Evolving Forms of “Wrapping”

—Could you tell us about Takagi Hoso’s business?

Takagi:
Our company’s origins trace back to dairy farming, but the real beginning lies with my grandfather, who started a rope-making business around 1935. In those days, rope was essential for farming, packaging, and transportation. Over time, as needs changed, rope gave way to materials like polypropylene bands, and after World War II, the demand for cardboard grew rapidly. That shift led us to transform our business into cardboard manufacturing.
During Japan’s period of rapid economic growth, logistics advanced dramatically, and cardboard became indispensable across many industries. In step with these changes, our company expanded as well, serving as a trusted local manufacturer of packaging materials. Since becoming president, I have carried this history forward with a focus on creating cardboard products with higher added value.
Today, we are a team of about 100 people, united in a system that handles everything from planning and production to delivery in-house, allowing us to continue responding to changing needs with care and consistency.

Connecting People and Feelings with Love and Dreams

—What inspired you to make “wrapping” the core of your corporate philosophy?

Takagi:
Our corporate philosophy is to wrap with love and dreams. For us, creating packaging isn’t just about making boxes — it’s about imagining the joy, surprise, and feelings of the people who will open them.
We strive to build an environment where employees can work with passion. At the same time, we want cardboard to be seen not simply as packing material, but as something that connects people and emotions.
The thrill of opening a gift, the expression of a brand’s world — these human experiences can also be conveyed through packaging. Although cardboard may seem like a behind-the-scenes material, we believe it has the potential to carry deep meaning. Our ongoing challenge is to infuse as much thought, care, and value into it as possible — transforming “wrapping” into something that truly matters.

Imagination at the Heart of Planning

—What are the strengths of your one-stop system, from planning and manufacturing to delivery?

Takagi:
One of our greatest strengths lies in our ability to handle everything in-house — from planning and production to final delivery. At the core of this process is imagination, especially at the planning stage. This is not a job one can continue without genuine interest and care, and it also requires the ability to recognize each person’s strengths and place them where they can thrive.
With this in mind, we have long placed importance on employee development, focusing not only on skills but also on cultivating character and perspective. By strengthening our design department and enhancing our planning capabilities, we are now able to propose packaging that goes beyond functionality — packaging that adds value to a customer’s brand rather than serving merely as a shipping material.
Another essential element of our story is the foresight of the previous generation. At a time when it was still uncommon, we introduced inkjet printing early on, seeking to give cardboard new possibilities. Adding color and design to boxes that were once plain and utilitarian marked a significant shift — transforming packaging from a background material into a medium for brand expression. That decision continues to shape our approach today, guiding our commitment to delivering added value through design.

—In the role of packaging, often seen as being behind the scenes, what do you value most?

Takagi:
“Cardboard cases are indispensable. By repeatedly conveying their importance to our employees, we help them approach their work with a sense of pride and purpose.”

—What does ‘packaging that connects hearts’ mean to you?

Takagi:
“We aim to create packaging that conveys the joy of receiving a gift and expresses a brand’s unique worldview. By carefully considering how people’s feelings are delivered, and by fully exercising our creativity, we bring our idea of ‘packaging that connects hearts’ to life.”

Nurturing People, Connecting with the Community

—In an organization of around 100 people, how do you make the most of the energy of a younger team?

Takagi:
We place great importance on communicating our values to each individual employee. Through an annual kickoff meeting and weekly morning gatherings, we regularly share our philosophy, ensuring that everyone—including younger team members—is moving in the same direction. Our participation in the Osaka–Kansai Expo also became a meaningful opportunity for employees to experience our philosophy firsthand.
In addition, we actively host factory tours and workshops for local children and visitors from overseas. Local elementary school students, for example, visit our factory to see up close how cardboard is made. Watching their eyes light up as they say, “I didn’t know cardboard involved so much ingenuity,” or “I never realized boxes could have design,” has left a strong impression on us.
Seeing their reactions has also helped our employees rediscover a sense of pride in their work. By opening ourselves to outside perspectives, awareness within the company has clearly shifted, fostering a culture that continues to generate new value.

—What do you value most when it comes to people and company culture?

Takagi:
Above all, we value people. We have inherited from the previous generation the belief that “if it isn’t enjoyable, it isn’t truly work.” If I, as president, am not enjoying my work, that feeling cannot be passed on to the team.
Creating a workplace where employees feel it is a place they genuinely want to be is the company’s role. We believe that such an environment naturally leads to greater value for our customers and for the wider community.

Opening the Future Together with the Community
The New Factory “TKG LAND”

—How have you built relationships with the local community?

Takagi:
We are currently planning the TKG LAND project, which will encompass our new office, TKG Station, as well as the first and second studios at our headquarters, and the newly constructed Third Studio (Future Creation Hall), scheduled for completion in 2026.
The Third Studio, in particular, is envisioned not only as a place where our employees gather, but also as an open innovation factory—a gateway to the OKUYAMATO region.
By working in collaboration with Kurotaki Village, Kawakami Village, and Higashiyoshino Village, we aim to create a place where people of all generations can come together, co-create, learn, and grow.
Utilizing local resources such as Yoshino cedar, we hope to develop TKG LAND as a hub for the OKUYAMATO area. Going beyond the conventional role of a cardboard manufacturer, we aspire to be a presence that nurtures the future together with the region.

Toward the World — Cardboard as a Platform for Value Creation

—What challenges would you like to take on as Takagi Hoso in the future?

Takagi:
Looking ahead, we plan to further strengthen our global outreach, sharing our technology and philosophy with people around the world. The Third Studio (Future Creation Hall) has already begun to take shape, and through a series of new initiatives, we are seeing our circle of collaborators steadily expand.
What inspires us most is transforming cardboard—often perceived as a behind-the-scenes material—into a platform for value creation. Driven by deep care for our employees, the community, and our customers, we will continue to embrace new challenges and move forward together.

ーAfter the Interview

While centered on cardboard manufacturing, Takagi Hoso is a company that seeks to coexist with people and communities, turning bold dreams into reality. President Mika Takagi leads the company with the belief that “if it isn’t enjoyable, it isn’t truly work,” striving to create an environment where every employee can fully express their creativity.
Through close collaboration with the local region and the vision of TKG LAND, Takagi Hoso is opening new paths toward the future.
Behind its efforts to elevate cardboard from a supporting role to a stage for value creation lies a deep passion for craftsmanship—and a sincere dedication to employees, communities, and customers alike.