Imabari Towel is an official quality-certified brand from the towel capital of Imabari, Ehime, Japan.
Crucially, “made in Imabari” ≠ “Imabari Towel.” Only products that pass the Imabari Towel Industrial Association’s rigorous tests may carry the tricolor Imabari brand tag.
How the Brand Certification Works
Certified makers only. The regional collective trademark and certification tag may be used only by approved companies and factories.
Product-by-product testing. Not just the factory—each item must pass the official tests to be sold as an Imabari Towel Brand product.
Therefore, a simple “Made in Imabari/Japan” label does not guarantee Imabari brand quality.
Stringent Quality Standards (At a Glance)
Imabari certification examines absorbency, colorfastness, strength, dimensional stability, and safety. The most famous is the “5-Second Rule”—a fabric swatch must sink within five seconds, proving rapid absorbency.
Other required tests include:
Pile retention (resistance to pile shedding)
Colorfastness (resistance to fading/transfer)
Tensile strength (durability by item type)
Dimensional change after washing (shape retention)
Safety checks for restricted substances (formaldehyde limits, etc.)
Standards are updated periodically by the Association.
How to Read the Tag (and Verify Authenticity)
First, locate the logo tag shown below, which is always attached to the product. All certified products feature the Imabari logo tag. On the reverse side of this tag, you will find a four-digit company certification number.
Verification in 30 seconds:
Flip the tag and note the 4-digit number (e.g., 0990).
Search that number in the Imabari Towel Association’s official database.
Confirm the manufacturer/factory and the certified product information.
Heritage Note
The first Imabari Towel brand product in the brand’s history was made by "imabari yokkin "—Factory No. 0990.
What Standards Do Imabari Towels Meet?
Imabari prioritizes first-use absorbency and skin comfort, backed by measurable tests like the 5-Second Rule. Thickness, drying speed, and hand-feel vary by weave, yarn, and GSM (grams per square meter: higher GSM generally means denser, plusher, and more absorbent).
For the best match, choose by use case.
Is It Authentic?
Look for the official Imabari tag.
Check the 4-digit factory number on the back and verify it in the official database.
Only certified companies may use the brand tag or claim Imabari certification.
Example: Factory No. 0990 = imabari yokkin (brand origin).
“Made in Imabari” vs. Imabari Towel Brand
“Made in Imabari” or “Made in Japan” alone does not prove the product passed Imabari tests.
Only items that carry the certification tag and appear in the official registry are genuine Imabari Towel Brand products.
Care Tips to Keep Towels Fluffy
Use mild detergent, avoid fabric softener overuse, wash in net bags when possible, low-temp tumble or line dry, and fluff by snapping the towel to raise the pile. These habits maintain absorbency and softness longer.
To enhance your daily life and elevate your living experience, we invite you to select from our wide range of products the one that best suits your skin.