ABOUT

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 Manager

Nakamoto Forestry North America

Headshot for Brett Bottorff, Marketing Manager, Nakamoto Forestry North America
Brett Bottorff

Marketing Manager

Nakamoto Forestry North America

Headshot for Friday Colwell, Production Manager, Nakamoto Forestry North America
Friday Colwell

Production Manager

Nakamoto Forestry North America

Chris Motto

Technical Lead

Nakamoto Forestry North America

Alex Decker

Sales, Logistics, IT

Nakamoto Forestry North America

Sayaka Aoki-Alcerro

Special Projects Creative Lead

Nakamoto Forestry North America

Rainey DeSiervo PR Lead, Marketing Coordinator
Rainey DeSiervo

Digital Strategy

Nakamoto Forestry North America

Aaron Davis

Content Lead

Nakamoto Forestry North America

Chanda Littlefield

Sustainability & Certifications Lead

Nakamoto Forestry North America

James Alver

Graphic Designer

Nakamoto Forestry North America

Lucas Paris

Videographer

Nakamoto Forestry North America

Eric Taylor

Administration Manager

Nakamoto Forestry North America

Tsurue Urase

Administrative Associate

Nakamoto Forestry North America

FACTORY GALLERY

1912~1926

Japan

First written record of the Nakamoto family being involved in timberland production and millwork

1959

Japan

Nakamoto Zourin established in Hiroshima, Japan

1975

Japan

The first Hiroshima mill is completed and yakisugi production begins

1977

Japan

The second Hiroshima mill is completed and begins yakisugi production

1984

Japan

Nakamoto Zourin headquarters moved to current location in Hiroshima, Japan

1985

Japan

Mill in Tokushima, Japan completed and begins production of yakisugi

1988

Japan

Mill in Tomota, Japan completed and begins production of yakisugi

1989

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

1998

Japan

Megahira Ski Resort established on Nakamoto family land near Hiroshima headquarters

2004

Japan

Nakamoto Zourin achieves certification for timber management and production by the Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council (PEFC Japan)

2009

Japan

Nakamoto Zourin 50th Anniversary

2011

Japan

Commissioning of the automated resaw equipment at Tokushima mill

2012

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

2016

North America

The first yakisugi inventory lands in Portland, OR, USA for distribution by Nakamoto Forestry North America

2020

Europe

Martin Gottschlich establishes Goodwood GmbH as Nakamoto Forestry Europe and the first batch of yakisugi arrives in Dusseldorf, Germany