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We’re gonna keep it going!
- 2023.8
Tokyo office relocates & Casa ZIZO opens
We have relocated our office from Aoyama 1-chome to Gaienmae. A regular office is not exciting, so we created a space with a bar counter, a professional kitchen, and a walk-in wine cellar that can stock 2,000 bottles of wine. The name is “Casa ZIZO - studio&wine”.
DetailDetail - 2023.4
Revamping Project
We want to set the bar higher. So, for the first time in several years, we revamped our logo and company website. With the mission to “create the best website possible without a budget limit”, the team worked under a lot of pressure and thanks to their effort, the revamp turned out incredible.
- 2022.10
Kick-off at Mt. Rokko
We gathered at Ren-Est, five cottages nestled in the Rokko Mountains, to kick off the second half of the year. In the evening, we had a BBQ, drank wine around the wood stove, and had a great time.
- 2022.10
Establishment of ZIZO BRAND LOCALIZATION
ZIZO BRAND LOCALIZATION, a company that helps promote Asian brands in Japan and Japanese brands in Asia. It is a joint venture with a partner in Singapore. We will have more opportunities to visit Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan for future projects.
- 2022.4
Annual Training Trip Resumes in Japan
Although COVID seemed to be settling down, going abroad was still a bit of a hurdle, so we organized a study tour in Japan. Planners from the fictional ZIZO TRAVEL AGENCY created various travel plans, and those who liked what they saw joined in, resulting in an event with a high degree of freedom typical of ZIZO. The trip was shared via Instagram.
DetailDetail - 2022.4
“Golden Pawn Cup” Sponsored by ZIZO & Shogi Federation
As we began a new year, we were inspired by Sota Fujii—Japan’s youngest ever professional shogi player—to have a Japanese chess (shogi) tournament. We learned and did our best to keep our brains in full gear. The winner received a “golden piece (Osho)” and the member who guessed the winner received another “golden piece(Kinsho)” signed by the winner.
- 2021.12
ZIZO AWARD 2021
At the last FES of 2021, we held the ZIZO AWARD 2021 where everyone voted for the “most exciting project of the past year” an award determined by simple vote tally. Since each project was so different and had its advocates, the voting reached an almost martial arts-level of intensity and competition.
- 2021.11
BANZAI BREWERY Launch
We launched “BANZAI BREWERY”, a service that allows you to brew your own original craft beer. The beer is produced by 26K Brewery, a microbrewery in Musashisakai, Tokyo. You can brew your own craft beer while having fun, using your favorite ingredients, and watching the brewing process up-close.
DetailDetail - 2021.10
First Members Take Paternity Leave
Two male ZIZO members took paternity leave for the first time at ZIZO. The members who took leave received 50-67% of their base salary from the government, and ZIZO also receives a subsidy, making everyone happy. Since the handover of work went smoothly and there were no problems at all, ZIZO has committed to continue to be a company that actively works to be a part of the solution in the complex problem of declining birthrates.
- 2021.7
TOKYO2020
ZIZO (ZIZO Media Coordination) was in charge of local coordination for the Australian TV stations that broadcasted and covered the TOKYO 2020 event, which was delayed by one year due to COVID. We filmed the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the various competition venues. The staff worked hard under extremely harsh conditions, far too busy to enjoy our casual custom of after-work drinks.
- 2020.10
The “Party System” Begins
The “Party System” began to strengthen collaboration. Members with the same expertise and orientation got together to share know-how and work on the same projects. Until then, leaders were responsible for gross profit targets for their teams, but this new system switched the responsibility to the individual, making the situation fairer and more positive for everyone.
- 2020.9
Launch 2nd 3D website “ZIZO Party”
French Brothers Joce (Joceyln) & Renaud created a second 3D website, ZIZO Party. The site is now even more powerful than the last one and is now a maximal technical site where you can choose a character and complete the game. It won FWA, Awwwards, and CSS Design Awards.
DetailDetail - 2020.3
303 (Lawn Square) Completed
The number of members in the Osaka office increased and the workspace became too cramped, so we rented another floor in the same building and created a “lawn square”. The concept was a campsite. Top-grade artificial turf was laid out and a wonderful space was created where people could work while relaxing or take a nap in a tent when they got tired. At the time, no one expected that soon COVID’s arrival meant no one would come to the office for some time.
- 2020.1
Launched 1st 3D Website “WE ARE ZIZO”
French brothers Joce (Joceyln) & Renaud of ZIZO combined their skills to create the 3D site “WE ARE ZIZO”. The site has won FWA, Awwwards, and CSS Design Awards.
DetailDetail
- 2019.11
Held UX Izakaya
In collaboration with UX MILK, we held “UX Izakaya”, an event to discuss UX over drinks. We set up a stall, a counter, and table seating in a corner of our Osaka office, and ZIZO members served as waiters and entertained guests. Many people from outside the company attended the event, making it a meaningful gathering.
- 2019.9
“FACT BOOK” Released
We made a “FACT BOOK” which contains basic information about ZIZO. It is a convenient booklet that gives you a general idea of what ZIZO is all about. The illustration on the cover depicts ZIZO as an island, where everyone is enjoying their lives and creating waku-waku.
- 2019.5
1st ZIZO FES
We used to have a serious “general meeting” once a month when all members gathered in the office, but we decided it didn’t offer enough waku-waku, so we evolved it into ZIZO FES. At this two-day event, we not only shared projects and know-how, but also held a “campfire goodbye”, memorial service for projects that had gone up in flames. On the second night, a party was held with a chef from a neighborhood restaurant.
- 2019.4
Annual Training Trip in San Francisco (Apple Headquarters Meet-Up)
The fourth overseas training trip was to San Francisco. Once again, each member took a route of her/his choice to get there. We met at Apple’s headquarters, where we were introduced to the latest devices and features by the staff, which was very stimulating. We looked forward to using this experience in projects after we returned to Japan.
- 2018.6
Annual Training Trip in Paris (Eiffel Tower Meet-Up)
The destination for the third year of the overseas training trip was Paris. In years prior, we had all taken the same flight and stayed at the same hotel. This time we decided to arrange our own airline tickets and accommodations, enter Paris by a route of our choice, and meet locally under the Eiffel Tower. The result was magic: we all arrived without incident. We visited local production companies, experienced art, drank wine, and trained hard.
- 2018.4
Corporate Site Renewal
As the company gradually grew in size and the number of things we offered increased, we renewed our corporate website. The new site brought together our collective effort, with ZIZO members appearing in various places on the website and contributing insight.
- 2017.10
Osaka Office Relocation
We moved from our old office, which was filled to the brim, to an office that was about three times the size. Inspired by Silicon Valley start-ups, the concept of the new office is “LOFT & GARAGE”. We decided to conduct various experiments in this office going forward.
- 2017.7
Annual Training Trip in Singapore
The destination for the second year of our overseas training trip was Singapore. Under the scorching sun, we visited a local web production company, studied the taste of curry and bak kut teh, and other various training programs were conducted again.
DetailDetail - 2017.6
DRONE-PA is Launched
We launched DRONE-PA, a drone photography service in Hawaii. It is a tough job having to go to Hawaii every week if we get a flood of orders, but we’ll do our best!
- 2016.11
Tokyo Office Relocated
We moved our office to Aoyama-itchome, a wonderful environment with a park view in the heart of the city. The new office would allow us to work harder to create more waku-waku and welcome visitors.
- 2016.9
Started ZIZO Media Coordination
We launched a coordination service for foreign TV stations and production companies to film in Japan. After we started this service, we immediately received a request from Picrow, a Hollywood-based video production company, to help produce a video of Mickey Mouse traveling around the world on his birthday.
DetailDetail - 2016.7
Annual Training Trip in Hawaii
We split into two teams and went to Hawaii for a 5-night, 7-day training program. We visited a local web production company, swam with sharks, compared hamburgers, and conducted various other training activities that are only possible in Hawaii.
DetailDetail - 2016.4
Kick-off & Achievement Party for the 6th Year, 1Q
The theme for this year was “Go further!” We rented out a bouldering gym and climbed to the top together. All members of the winning team received a one-day pass to Universal Studios Japan.
- 2015.10
Attended Conference in New York
CEO Kawaguchi attended the Service Design Conference in New York to gather information on the latest service design trends. After several days of hard work in English, he enjoyed “Back to the Future”, dubbed in Japanese on the flight home.
- 2015.10
Tokyo Office Relocation
We moved our office to Ikejiri-Ohashi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. With two new members in Tokyo, we were able to start a new system. At the opening party, we enjoyed a global conversation with simultaneous broadcasts from New York, Barcelona, and Osaka.
- 2015.9
ZIZO International Website
We launched English and Spanish versions of our website and opened a Global Blog. ZIZO hopes to help companies from abroad who want to enter the Japanese market.
- 2015.7
Osaka Office Expansion
We expanded our office to accommodate our growing number of members. We were careful to make a spacious environment to inspire more great ideas than ever before.
- 2015.7
Start of Globalization Plan
Cristian, a native of Barcelona, joined ZIZO, signaling the start of our globalization plan. To celebrate, we went to a Spanish bar and enjoyed Spanish wine.
- 2015.4
Kick-off & Achievement Party for 5th Year, 1Q
We kicked off the 5th year with a view of cherry blossoms in full bloom decorating the room. The leaders of the five newly organized teams presented their plans for the year. We invited Chef Dai-chan, formerly of “Edobori Rock’n Roll Bar”, to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine and wine.
- 2015.1
New Year’s Drone Greeting
As a celebration from ZIZO in its 5th year, we made a New Year’s greeting video. All the members united to make a figure “5”. We filmed it from the sky. We were nervous that the drone might crash due to strong winds on the day, but it all worked out.
- 2014.11
ZIZO’s 1st Overseas Project
We always wanted to go abroad for work and now two members of the team traveled to Milan, Italy for a web campaign job. While there, we worked through a hard schedule while recharging our batteries with authentic pizza. This reinvigorated our determination to be a globally active company.
- 2014.7
4th Year, 2Q Kickoff & Achievement Party, 1st Doya Grand Prix
With the addition of two new designers, ZIZO DESIGN has become even more capable. For the first time, we held an in-house event “Doya Grand Prix (Doya Gras)” to determine a direction for the “Doya Project”. It had given us an abundance of waku-waku during the prior year. Creative director Takeshi Kuwatani was invited as a guest judge, and after heated debate, the “Gold Doya” was awarded.
- 2014.4
4th Year, 1Q Kick-Off & Cherry Blossom Viewing Achievement Party
The company has undergone a major organizational change, personnel change, the establishment of a new company, and the opening of the Tokyo office. All employees are entering the fourth year of ZIZO with renewed spirit. At the achievement party, we decorated a cherry blossom tree in the Edobori Kitchen and enjoyed delicious Japanese food while viewing the cherry blossoms.
- 2014.4
Tokyo Office Established
We want to create waku-waku in Tokyo too! That is why we established a Tokyo office in Minami-Aoyama. Mr. Osone, “the best-looking man in Minami Aoyama”, was appointed as the branch manager. We invite everyone in Tokyo to come and visit us.
- 2014.4
Establishment of ZIZO DESIGN Co.
The design division of ZIZO was spun off to establish ZIZO DESIGN Co. Mr. Great Maegawa, who was active in “Turtle House”, was appointed as the representative director. By creating a company specializing in design, we will further improve our technical capabilities and expand our capacity.
- 2013.11
Opened Edobori Kitchen
On the first floor of the same building as the office, Edobori Kitchen, a rental space with a cafeteria area, opened. It is a wonderful space for waku-waku, where you can have home parties by bringing in food and drinks or enjoying movies and games on the large screen projector.
- 2013.10
3Q Kick-Off & Achievement Party for 3rd Year
With the addition of another director, there were now 13 members. We held a Kick-Off & Achievement Party at Edobori Kitchen just before it opened. At the achievement party, a Chef Kawaguchi representative served homemade authentic beef stew.
- 2013.4
Waku-Waku Businesspeople
We invited a former international flight attendant to educate us on how to integrate business manners into a waku-waku working style.
- 2013.4
3rd Year, 1Q Kick-Off & Cherry Blossom Viewing Achievement Party
New graduate directors, who had previously been part-time student employees, joined us as full members, bringing the total number of employees to 10. After the kick-off, we held an achievement party and cherry blossom viewing at the office. We invited a traveling sushi chef and had an incredible time.
- 2012.10
2nd Year, 3Q Kick-Off
Two fresh directors joined the company, bringing the total number of employees to nine. In setting goals for the second half of the year, we identified what each of us wants to do as “personal goals”. After the kick-off, we had an achievement meeting while cruising around Osaka City on the Ofune-Kamome boat.
- 2012.4
Introduced Waku-waku Quota
The Waku-waku Quota is a system where each member can spend up to 3,000 yen per month on waku-waku. This can include things like books, museums, movies, travel, etc. We made full use of this system to remind us that as adults we can still have fun.
- 2012.1
1st Year, 4Q Kick-Off
We added one director and one designer each, bringing the total number of members to six. We had a new office, new members, and more potential.
- 2011.12
Moving
We moved to room 206 in the same building. We got our own office for the first time.
- 2011.6
ZIZO Website Opens & Introduces the Business Cards Lottery Concept
When you exchange business cards with ZIZO members, you are entered into a lottery on the ZIZO website. The first winner received a bottle of “Dom Perignon”, the king of Champagne.
- 2011.4
1st Year, 1Q Kick-Off
This was the first kick-off. We shared our vision. We discussed and decided our mission. One director and one designer were added to the team, bringing the total number of ZIZO members to four.
- 2011.4
Higobashi Office Opens
We set up our office in NAGASAKI VILLAGE 305. We share the office space with coding specialist Device Inc.
- 2010.12
Released “Chorori” Nose Hair Notification Service
A joint development with Ningen Inc., this project was featured in various media including “An-An” and “Laugh It Up (Waratte Iitomo)”. It saved people from more than 400,000 nose hairs worth of embarrassment in its first year.
DetailDetail - 2010.12
ZIZO Established
ZIZO was established in Shinsaibashi, Osaka. The company was inspired by the resemblance the founder’s faces have to the stone jizo statues found at Buddhist temples and trails across Japan.
OUR HISTORY