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The 5 Oldest Companies in the World

Tap a company to see just how old it is.

Kongō Gumi

A construction company specializing in temples and shrines, in continuous operation for over 1,400 years and long cited as the world's oldest company. It became a subsidiary of a larger corporation in 2006.

Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan

Certified by Guinness World Records as the oldest hotel in the world, run by the same family across 52 generations.

Staffelter Hof

A winery in Germany's Moselle region, considered one of the world's oldest wineries, producing wine across generations for over a thousand years.

The Royal Mint

An institution that has minted currency for over a thousand years, and continues to produce the UK's official coinage today.

Monnaie de Paris

Reportedly founded by France's first king, this currency-minting institution is one of the oldest companies in the world and continues to operate today.

What These Millennium-Old Companies Have in Common

Remarkably, a large share of the world's oldest companies are concentrated in Japan. A culture of passing the family business down through generations, and a management philosophy that prioritizes steady tradition over rapid expansion, are often cited as the secret to their longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kongō Gumi still operate the way it originally did?

It became a subsidiary of a larger corporation in 2006 due to financial difficulties, but its specialized expertise in temple construction continues on today.

Do these ancient companies tend to be in similar industries?

Yes — many of the longest-surviving companies tend to be in traditional industries with steady, enduring demand across eras, such as construction, hospitality, and beverages.