Nakamoto Forestry
We craft the highest-grade yakisugi siding in the world — And we’ve been doing it diligently for 50 years.
The Nakamoto Zourin group is owned and managed by the Nakamoto family and headquartered in western Japan. We have managed sugi and hinoki forest in Hiroshima since the 1920’s, and have four main mills in Hiroshima and Tokushima prefectures that mill siding and flooring from sugi, hinoki, pine, oak, cherry, cedar, spruce, larch, and other species. Nakamoto Zourin is the largest siding mill in Japan and the largest manufacturer of yakisugi in the world. We are affiliated with WoodOne, the largest flooring manufacturer in Japan and the largest radiata pine timberland owner in New Zealand. Additionally, in cooperation with Sumitomo Forestry we supply our off-grade logs to the biomass fuel market in Japan.
Nakamoto Forestry North America distributes jobsite-direct throughout North America from a stocking warehouse and prefinish shop in Portland, Oregon. Nakamoto Forestry Europe distributes throughout the European region from a stocking warehouse in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Nakamoto Zourin is PEFC certified, a chain of custody sustainable forestry compliance standard. Worldwide we mill and ship 650,000-810,000 square feet (60,000-75,000m2) of yakisugi every month, and have a surge capacity double these numbers. We can handle any size project you would like to specify our products for.
Meet the Team
William Beleck
President - Nakamoto Forestry North America
Yoshiyuki Itotani
Head of Sales, Mill Chief - Nakamoto Zourin
Saori Willis
Sales Team Supervisor - Nakamoto Forestry North America
Chris Motto
Assistant Production Manager - Nakamoto Forestry North America
Chanda Littlefield
Sales Associate - Nakamoto Forestry North America
Alex Decker
Sales Associate - Nakamoto Forestry North America
Sayaka Aoki-Alcerro
Creative Lead - Nakamoto Forestry North America
Rainey DeSiervo
Marketing and Outreach - Nakamoto Forestry North America
Aaron Davis
Digital Marketing Lead - Nakamoto Forestry North America
Lucas Paris
Videographer - Nakamoto Forestry North America
James Alver
Graphic Designer - Nakamoto Forestry North America
Eric Taylor
Administration Manager - Nakamoto Forestry North America
Tsurue Urase
Administrative Associate - Nakamoto Forestry North America
FACTORY GALLERY
Japan
First written record of the Nakamoto family being involved in timberland production and millwork
Japan
Nakamoto Zourin established in Hiroshima, Japan
Japan
The first Hiroshima mill is completed and yakisugi production begins
Japan
The second Hiroshima mill is completed and begins yakisugi production
Japan
Nakamoto Zourin headquarters moved to current location in Hiroshima, Japan
Japan
Mill in Tokushima, Japan completed and begins production of yakisugi
Japan
Mill in Tomota, Japan completed and begins production of yakisugi
Japan
Nakamoto Zourin timberland management group awarded the Ministry Prize by the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Nakamoto Zourin timberland management group awarded the Emperor’s Cup by Emperor Heisei
Japan
Megahira Ski Resort established on Nakamoto family land near Hiroshima headquarters
Japan
Nakamoto Zourin achieves certification for timber management and production by the Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council (PEFC Japan)
Japan
Nakamoto Zourin 50th Anniversary
Japan
Commissioning of the automated resaw equipment at Tokushima mill
Japan & North America
Commissioning of the automated resaw equipment at Hiroshima headquarters mill
William Beleck establishes Nichibei Global, Nakamoto Forestry North America’s parent company
North America
The first yakisugi inventory lands in Portland, OR, USA for distribution by Nakamoto Forestry North America
Europe
Martin Gottschlich establishes Goodwood GmbH as Nakamoto Forestry Europe and the first batch of yakisugi arrives in Dusseldorf, Germany