History & Technology


Harnessing the advanced technology of Yarn Making

Over seven decades, UCHINO has been committed to delivering fine cotton products that bring joy to all of your senses. 

Established in 1947 and Becoming a World-Class Towel Maker

UCHINO was founded in 1947 as a towel wholesaler. We were the first in the world to introduce printed towels. From 1960 through 1970, we produced myriad collections of towels for world-class brands like The Walt Disney Company, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Cardin.

Delivering Comfort and Luxury to the World

UCHINO has continued to develop their signature “Light & Soft” cotton materials, resulting in textiles advanced in both versatility and comfort. In 1988, we shifted from towels-only concept to opening our first lifestyle shop The Body & Bath Shop, expanding our collection to cater to the needs of everyday occasions. In 1997, we opened texture-focused lifestyle store, UCHINO TOUCH, celebrating its 20th anniversary in April 2023 and continues to deliver everyday comfort and luxury through our “touch”. 

Expanding to Making Fine Towels and Beyond

Today, we offer a wide range of wearable cotton including pajamas, resort wear, loungewear, baby products, throws, and pillowcases using light and soft gauze materials.

Our Marshmallow Gauze, made with patented weaving technology, has been acclaimed by our customers for its safety and skincare benefits to those with sensitive skin and people of all ages. 

UCHINO’s collections are the result of our constant advancement in weaving technology combined with our commitment to enhancing your everyday routine.

Global Network

Unparalleled Craftsmanship from Yarn Making to Finish

We ensure excellent quality and safety by supervising everything ourselves from material sourcing, spinning, weaving, to dyeing. 

By developing our own cotton yarn at the facility, UCHINO is able to produce finest cotton products that are new to the market and unmatched in quality. 

We believe that the ultimate ingredient to quality towels is immaculate yarn - it’s crucial to spin the ideal type of yarn for each towel using carefully selected cotton material. 
As the yarn progresses from roving to fine spinning, it is twisted and extended to become thinner and thinner as it is spun to fit the yarn count of the specific towels. Our weaving technologies allow us to spin one of the world’s thinnest yarn which determines the quality of the finished products. 
Dyeing process is just as crucial as the weaving process. Our facilities have the full capacities to dye both the yarn itself and the weaved products where we’re able to be selective with our dye ingredients and continue to advance on the methods. 

Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Our search for the beauty in pure simplicity for sustainable development.

#1

Majority of our products are made using sustainable cotton, ensuring minimal impact on the environment and support of the livelihood of our cotton producers and employees. Our aim is to incorporate sustainable cotton for 100% of our products.

Sustainable Cotton

#2

For our Natural Dye towels, we use discarded byproducts such as coffee grain, wine lees and tea leaf to dye our organic cotton towels. 

Towel Hat

#3

We have donated 841 towel hats to Iwate Hospice Association, a citizen’s group supporting cancer patients. Since 2009 26,235 towel hats and 7,842 towels have been donated around the world. 

Natural dyeing

#4

In 2022, we launched a “Towel Recycle” campaign as an initiative for SDG’s Goal 12 “Responsible Consumption and Production.” Since then, we have collected 3,043 used towels and upcycle them to transform into brand new UCHINO towels. 

Recycling used towels