Corporate Museum "Hitachi Origin Park" Opens at Hitachi’s Birthplace

On November 5, 2021, Hitachi, Ltd. opened Hitachi Origin Park, a corporate museum, in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, the place where Hitachi was founded. This facility introduces the spirit of Hitachi’s foundation and its history.

Toshiaki Higashihara, executive chairman of Hitachi, presided over the opening ceremony, saying: “I want people to visit Hitachi’s birthplace and learn about our founder, Namihei Odaira’s founding philosophy. While Hitachi’s operations will continue to expand globally, I don’t want to forget our origins here in Hitachi City.”

Panoramic view of Origin Park

Hitachi, Ltd. was founded as a division that repaired machinery at Hitachi Mine in 1910. Hitachi Origin Park was built to convey Hitachi’s 110 years of history since foundation.

This facility consists of four buildings: the Odaira Memorial Museum, the Sogyo Goya, the Omika Golf Club, and the Omika Club. The facility is available for anyone to use, not just Hitachi employees and local residents. One of the facility’s features is that it uses 100% renewable energy for its power needs.

Hiromi Numata of the Hitachi Origin Park Operation Group said of its purpose: “The facility was built for Hitachi employees to learn about the spirit of our foundation and as a place where new dialogue can be generated with local residents and our business partners from all around the world.”

The Odaira Memorial Museum exhibits Hitachi products and other items, and here visitors can learn about Hitachi’s corporate philosophy, the road to its foundation, and its initiatives toward solving social issues. The facility will be used for field trip activities for elementary school students and for seminars.

The restored Sogyo Goya

A 110-year-old 5 HP induction motor

Sogyo Goya is a restored factory at which Hitachi’s founding product, the 5 HP induction motor, was born. Visitors can see restored tools and a surviving 5 HP induction motor in operation.

Omika Golf Club

Omika Club

The 6-hole Omika Golf Club was built in 1936 as a place where employees can enjoy a game of golf and foreign guests are welcome too as well. Today, anyone can use the golf club.

Moreover, the Omika Club was built adjoining the golf club as a clubhouse. A historical building, it will be operated as a place that serves meals and that fulfills other hospitable functions.

Hiromi Numata, a guide at Origin Park

A virtual exhibition will also be held in 2022 on the web, showcasing the facility’s exhibits.

Numata, who manages the facility, encouraged people to visit, saying: “We convey the roots of the company to Hitachi employees and help local residents learn about Hitachi’s thoughts regarding social contribution. We would like to walk hand-in-hand toward the future with everyone.”