Kusuhara Bottling & Canning Co., Ltd. – The Company Behind Masanosuke Shoten
Kusuhara Bottling & Canning Co., Ltd. is a Hiroshima-based food manufacturer specializing in canned beverages and seasonings under the “Masanosuke Shoten” brand.
From ingredient blending and filling to quality inspection, packaging, and shipping, every step is carefully managed in-house.
They specialize in soft drinks—products that are directly consumed—which is why they enforce strict quality control standards to ensure safety and peace of mind for our customers.
In 2007, they obtained ISO 22000, an international standard for food safety management systems.
By 2021, they had also acquired FSSC 22000 certification, a more advanced food safety system based on ISO.
They remain committed to delivering safe and reliable products with integrity.
Their Philosophy – Guided by Gratitude, Committed to Continuous Improvement
Now in its fifth generation, Kusuhara Bottling & Canning Co., Ltd. has evolved over time, adapting its business to meet the changing needs of society.
Throughout this journey, they have been supported by many people—customers, partners, and the local community.
With deep gratitude in our hearts, expressed in our motto: “Thanks to your support, we are here today”, they strive every day to give back through our work.
Inheriting the vision of our founder, Masanosuke Kusuhara, they are dedicated to four core areas of continuous improvement:
・Quality Excellence – Delivering safe and secure products
・Flavor Excellence – Pursuing authentic deliciousness
・Personal Growth – Advancing skills and knowledge
・Daily Dedication – Bringing happiness to customers, employees, and families
Founder Masanosuke Kusuhara and the Revival of “Masanosuke Shoten”
Masanosuke Shoten was founded in 1897 (Meiji 30) in Enomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima. Founder Masanosuke Kusuhara learned traditional techniques for making pickles, tsukudani (preserved foods in soy sauce), and canned goods in Osaka.
By 1898, he had launched Hiroshima’s very first bottled and canned tsukemono and tsukudani products.
Tsukudani has long been a beloved staple in Japanese households—served over warm rice or as a savory snack with drinks.
At one point, Hiroshima was one of Japan’s leading production areas for tsukudani, a legacy that began with Masanosuke's pioneering work.
Starting as a street vendor at just ten years old, Masanosuke trained in Osaka and Nagasaki before establishing his own business and working for over 50 years.
His passion for bringing “deliciousness” into people’s daily lives remains at the heart of our company.
Nearly 40 years ago, they began exploring the potential of natural flavorings extracted during the oyster processing stage.
This led to the creation of our professional-use “Oyster Juice”—a natural seasoning born from Hiroshima’s signature ingredient.
In April 2023, to mark our 125th anniversary, they proudly revived the “Masanosuke Shoten” name, honoring the spirit of our founder.
The Story Behind Hiroshima Oyster
Hiroshima Oyster was born from a humble beginning — a byproduct known as "Oyster Juice" created during our company’s former production of canned oysters.
Oyster Juice is a concentrated seasoning made by simmering oyster broth and adjusting the flavor with sea salt.
They use 100% oysters from the Seto Inland Sea, known for their richness and flavor.
Although they no longer manufacture canned oysters, our Oyster Juice has long been recognized in the food industry as a natural umami seasoning — widely used as a base for commercial oyster sauces and in products like instant noodles.
One day, their Oyster Juice was featured on a television program.
After the airing, a viewer contacted us, passionately expressing their desire to get their hands on the product.
At first, we had to decline as it was for industrial use only.
But their enthusiasm moved us — we offered a small sample. Later, they visited our factory in person just to say thank you.
Inspired by this heartfelt episode, we decided to bring the flavor to home kitchens.
They refined the recipe for everyday use, and "Hiroshima Oyster" was born.
In 2023, as we marked 125 years since our founding, we also revived our original brand name: Masanosuke Shoten, honoring our roots and commitment to craftsmanship.
Going forward, they continue to develop, produce, and share authentic, flavorful products made with the finest local ingredients—delivering the true taste of Hiroshima to the world.
