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The company CHOYA was founded in 1914 by Sumitaro Kondo, originally focusing on grape cultivation and wine production. In 1959, after visiting Europe, where he was impressed by the quality of local wines and brandies, Kondo decided to focus on the traditional Japanese drink – umeshu (plum wine) – and launched the first authentic umeshu from CHOYA.

The name "CHOYA" was created by combining the words "cho" (butterfly) and "ya" (tip of an arrow), which refers to the local fauna and archaeological finds in the Komagatani area, where the company's headquarters is located.

In the following decades, the company expanded, opening branches in Tokyo (1971) and Germany (1990) and in 2000 changed its name to CHOYA UMESHU CO., LTD.

Today, CHOYA is a leader in umeshu production, with deep roots in Japanese tradition and a strong presence in the global market, constantly seeking new ways to bring the taste of ume to people around the world.