15 Centuries-Old Companies From Around The World That Are Still In Operation
![15 Centuries-Old Companies From Around The World That Are Still In Operation](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/2/5/888225_320x180.jpg)
There are two things we learned while compiling this list. Lesson one; If you want a long-lasting business, get into hospitality, candy, or booze. And Lesson two; Japanese companies can really go the distance. Excluding governments, educational, and religious institutions, there are currently 5,500 companies on Earth that are over 200 years old. 3,146 of those are Japanese. Not to ruin the ending, but the top 5 oldest still-operational companies right now are located in Japan. That’s pretty impressive.
In recently learning this, there’s something funny about clothing companies sporting Est. 1981 on their shirts (lookin’ at you, Guess Jeans). Not to take away from a newer company’s lasting impact — all the best to ‘em — but like, 42 years? Talk to us in 1,445 years. Man, being a know-it-all about something you learned moments ago is fun! Anyway, that’s the kind of numbers we’re working with, so here are 15 of some of the oldest still-operational companies on planet Earth.
Quality products for almost 1000 years.
![CRACKED THE WORLD'S OLDEST WOODWORKING COMPANY. Benediktinerstift Admont (The Benedictine Abbey of Admont, Austria) has been processing timber and performing woodworking since 1074. Since 1972, they continue to provide wood products and design concepts under the name Admonter. 1074 AD](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/7/0/1/887701.jpg)
When people don’t know an exact date, you know it’s old.
![CRACKED THE WORLD'S OLDEST MILL. The first record of the Otterton Mill in Budleigh Salterton, England was in the Domesday book by King William the Conqueror in 1068 AD. They say that it was milling flour long before then. 1000'S AD](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/7/0/2/887702.jpg)
Their millennial anniversary is coming up!
![CRACKED THE WORLD'S OLDEST BREWERY. The German brewery Weihenstephan was legally licensed to sell beer in 1040 AD, but its roots can be traced to 724 AD when monks began brewing in the Benedictine monastery in Freising, Germany. 724 AD](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/7/0/0/887700.jpg)
Capitalizing on tourism has been done for a long time.
![CRACKED THE WORLD'S OLDEST CANDY SHOP. Ichimonjiya Wasuke is a Japanese confectionary store that opened in the year 1000 AD to sell sweets to visitors of the Imamiya Shrine. As of December 2020, it is still operated by a 24th-generation descendant. 1000 AD EM 24 1 g 8.2349 с D nes S K](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/9/8/887698.jpg)
If only they made the Liberty Bell.
![CRACKED THE OLDEST FOUNDRY IN THE WORLD. A foundry is a factory that casts metal into shapes. No one has done this longer than La Fonderia Pontificia Marinelli in Italy, who began making bells in the year 1000 AD. They still use their original lost wax technique. 1000 AD](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/9/9/887699.jpg)
We bet they’re a little irked that Ireland’s bar is a tad older.
![CRACKED BRITAIN'S OLDEST PUB. The 10th oldest company in the world, The Bingley Arms in Bardsey, England dates back to 953 AD. At the time, England hadn't crowned its first King, and Vikings were conquering parts of the country. 952 AD THE BINGLEY ARMS ... ENTRANCE](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/9/2/887692.jpg)
Sean’s Bar sounds like some dude opened it yesterday.
![CRACKED THE WORLD'S OLDEST BAR. Luain Mac Luighdeach opened Sean's Bar in 900 AD, before the formation of its current town, Athlone, Ireland. A 1970s renovation revealed a wall made of wattle & wicker - wood held together with clay, mud, and horse hair. 900 AD WILLS Bross CA](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/8/8/887688.jpg)
Passed down through 70 generations.
![CRACKED THE WORLD'S OLDEST MERCHANT. Tanaka-lga is a Japanese Buddhist goods merchant founded in 885 AD. They manufacture most of their products, including shrines, altars, and furniture, and are led by 70th-generation descendant, Masakazu Tanaka. 885 AD . R](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/9/7/887697.jpg)
Germany has an older winery than Italy and France.
![CRACKED THE WORLD'S OLDEST WINERY. Staffelter Hof, a winery in the small town of Krov, Germany, was established in 862 AD. In 1805, the government gave ownership to vineyard manager Peter Schneiders, and it has remained in his family ever since. 862 AD CONFERIMVS EIS EXIGVITATEM VINI LA Stavelot vary STYFETTER Ho](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/9/6/887696.jpg)
Don’t worry, we’re sure they’ve changed the menu since 803 AD.
![CRACKED THE OLDEST RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD. Stiftskeller St. Peter in Salzburg, Austria was founded in 803 AD, and claims to have served Christopher Columbus and Mozart. It is the 6th oldest company in the world (and the oldest company not found in Japan). 803 AD](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/9/5/887695.jpg)
The wedding industry and the death industry share a common ancestor.
![CRACKED THE WORLD'S OLDEST PAPER COMPANY. The 5th oldest company is Genda Shigyo, a Japanese ceremonial paper company founded in 771 AD. They specialize in mizuhiki - colorful paper twisted into cords for weddings and funerals. 771 AD 1 474](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/9/0/887690.jpg)
Japan knows how to keep hotels operational.
![CRACKED THE 3RD OLDEST HOTEL. Houshi Ryokan is a Japanese hotel founded in 718 AD. It is said that Buddhist teacher Taicho Daishi instructed his disciple, Houshi, to open it by the hot spring for visitors to enjoy. It has been in the Houshi family for 46 generations. 718 AD](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/9/1/887691.jpg)
When four gods tell you to build a hotel, you build a hotel!
![CRACKED THE 2ND OLDEST HOTEL. Gonnokami Hiuke founded the Koman Hotel in 707 AD after dreaming of four gods who told him he must live in that location to protect his family over the generations. Не built a shrine for the Gods in the hotel (and his descendants own bathhouses in the area). 707 AD](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/9/3/887693.jpg)
What a difference 2 years can make.
![CRACKED THE OLDEST HOTEL IN JAPAN (AND THE ENTIRE WORLD). The Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan hotel edged out Koman by only 2 years. Founded in 705 AD, this hot springs hotel near Mt. Fuji has been family owned and operated for 52 generations. 705 AD](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/9/4/887694.jpg)
This Buddhist temple construction company must be getting pretty good by now.
![CRACKED THE OLDEST COMPANY IN THE WORLD. The Japanese construction company Kongo Gumi was founded in 578 AD by Shigemitsu Kongo, who was commissioned by Prince Shotoku to build a Buddhist temple. Over 14 centuries later, they continue to specialize in Buddhist temples. 578 AD](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/8/9/887689.jpg)