News

Osaka-Gunze Limited (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan, President: Takahiro Oka) [TOKYO: 3002] is pleased to announce the complete renewal of the "Mirai-Gura" (Future Hall) at the Gunze Museum in Ayabe City, Kyoto—the birthplace of Gunze. The newly upgraded interactive exhibition, which showcases Gunze's cutting-edge technologies and future initiatives, will open to the public on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
In addition, a special mini-exhibition commemorating Gunze’s 130th anniversary runs from October 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, featuring rare historical photographs and milestone memorabilia.

Exhibits on the Renovated Plastic Resource Recycling Roadmap

■Overview and Highlights of the “Mirai-Gura” Renovation
The renovation transforms the museum from a passive "viewing" experience into an active, "participatory" journey. Designed for visitors of all ages, the new space aims to inspire curiosity and deepen understanding of Gunze’s sustainability initiatives and future business ventures through engaging, hands-on exhibits.
(1)The Future of Plastic Films & Eco-Friendly Management
This zone marks the completion of Gunze's Plastic Resource Recycling Strategy exhibits, which have rolled out in phases since 2025.
•Visualizing the Plastic Circular Economy: A deep dive into Gunze's "Plastic Circular Factory" and the step-by-step process of raw material recycling (originally introduced in 2025).
•Future Roadmap & Interactive Quiz (New): A brand-new segment highlighting Gunze's long-term vision for the plastic film industry, paired with a fun, interactive quiz to keep visitors engaged.
Through this seamless integration, Gunze makes complex sustainability efforts accessible and relatable to everyone.

(2) Interactive Floor Guide: “Let’s Go! Take the Challenge! The Future Maze”
This fully immersive, gamified activity invites visitors to navigate a physical maze by answering simple questions. At every fork in the road, the visitor's choices seamlessly connect them to a specific Gunze business segment featured in the hall. This creates a personalized "business-matching" experience tailored to each individual's unique interests and real-world concerns.

■Concurrent Event: Highlights of the 130th Anniversary Mini-Exhibition
This special exhibition features a curated collection of rare historical materials, reflecting on Gunze’s rich legacy and its deep, enduring ties to the local community.
•[Highlight 1] Nostalgic "Factory Photos" Bringing History to Life
Step back in time with a curated selection of photographs from the extensive archives of Gunze Museum Park. The collection showcases manufacturing facilities from across Japan, ranging from nostalgic glimpses of currently operating plants to rare images of long-forgotten "phantom factories" that closed after only a few years. Together, they tell the powerful story of Gunze’s manufacturing journey.
•[Highlight 2] "Milestone Celebrations & Memorabilia" Shared with the Community
Explore the vibrant history of Gunze’s anniversary celebrations—including the milestone 50th, 70th, and 80th anniversaries. These historic events brought together employees and local residents alike. Visitors can view lively photos of the festivities—complete with traditional festival floats (dashi), portable shrines (mikoshi), costume parades, and dances—alongside a rare display of the actual commemorative items distributed during those historic moments.

(left)A Grand Gathering of Factories Nationwide
(right)Anniversary Event Photos and Commemorative Items

■Event Overview

"Mirai-Gura" Grand Opening

November 1, 2026 (Sun)
*Preview exhibition underway since October 21 (Wed)

130th Anniversary Mini Exhibition

Thursday, October 1, 2026 – Wednesday, March 31, 2027

Location

Gunze Museum (Aono-cho, Ayabe City, Kyoto ; located within Ayabe Gunze Square)

Fee

Free of charge

■About Gunze and Gunze Museum
Gunze was founded in 1896 by Tsurukichi Hatano in Ikaruga Ward (now Ayabe City) to promote the local sericulture industry. The founder was determined to contribute to the development of his hometown by promoting the local silk industry. He believed this should be Ikaruga's policy, so he named his company Gunze Silk Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (later renamed Gunze Limited), where "Gunze" means "district policy" in Japanese. Today, Gunze is a leading designer and manufacturer of plastic films, engineering plastics, medical devices, apparel, and other products.
The Gunze Museum was established in 1996 to celebrate Gunze's 100th anniversary. It was renovated from a silk cocoon storage facility used during the Taisho era.
The museum has three historic Kura-style exhibition halls that showcase Gunze's history. The Sogyō-Gura (Establishment Hall), the Gendai-Gura (Present Hall), and the Mirai-Gura (Future Hall).
The museum also has a Tsudoi-Gura. "Tsudoi" means "gathering" in Japanese, and it's a great place for workshops, local events, seminars, and educational programs.