"Watabe Ishoten" was founded by Mrs. Fuji Watabe based on the "volunteer" spirit, with her lending out her own bridal costume free of charge.
Watabe opened the Hawaii Branch in 1973, when "overseas weddings" were not yet a common wedding style in the 1970s. However, it could meet its business projection of 1,000 weddings in the first year.
Watabe expanded overseas business to North America, Europe and Australia. It also started the wedding dress manufacturing plant in Shanghai, China.
A comprehensive wedding venue "Meguro Gajoen (the present "Hotel Gajoen Tokyo")" joined Watabe as its affiliate. In addition, Watabe began the domestic wedding business in resort destinations, such as Okinawa, Hokkaido and Kyoto.
