The Provenance Museum ®

  • Kongō Gumi – est. 578
    Industry: Construction

    Kongō Gumi is the world’s oldest company. For more than 1,400 years, Kongō Gumi has specialised in the construction, restoration, and preservation of temples, shrines, and other important cultural structures. Its craftsmen contributed to some of Japan’s most significant religious and historic buildings, helping preserve traditional architectural techniques across generations. The company remained under family management for roughly 40 generations until it became a subsidiary of the Takamatsu Construction Group in 2006.

    Logo of Kongō Gumi Co., Ltd. (株式会社金剛組, Kabushiki Gaisha Kongō Gumi)
    Kongō Yoshie, the 38th master carpenter of Kongō Gumi and employees
    A three-story pagoda at Seiganto-ji Temple on Mount Nachi, Tendai sect.
    Restoration of the main hall of Kishibe Shrine

  • Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan – est. 705
    Industry: Hospitality

    Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring, Keiunkan is certified as “the world’s most historical inn” in the Guinness Book of World Records. It is an inn at the foot of the South Japanese Alps in Yamanashi Prefecture and has all of its hot water directly sourced from the hot spring.

    Logo of Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring, Keiunkan
    Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in March, 2020
    Mountain stream outdoor bath, Hakuho springs
    Observatory outdoor bath, Boukei springs

  • Hōshi Ryokan – est. 718
    Industry: Hospitality

    Awazu Onsen is said to have been founded over 1300 years ago by the great monk Taicho Daishi, and is the oldest hidden hot spring in the Hokuriku region.

    Logo of Hōshi Ryokan
    Indoor hot spring tap
    Outdoor hot spring
    Indoor hot spring

  • Genda Shigyō – est. 771
    Industry: Paper

    Genda Shigyō (Japanese: 源田紙業株式会社, romanized: Genda Shigyō Kabushiki gaisha) is a Japanese paper production company which has produced renowned for producing ceremonial paper goods, including mizuhiki (decorative twisted paper cords), gift wrapping materials, and betrothal gifts such as yuiuna since 771.

    Mr Yoshiro Genda, President and CEO of Genda Shigyō Co., Ltd. on March 19 2006 at Kyo-Suzume School, Kyoto, Japan
    The original yellow and white Mizuhiki of Kyoto versus the more commonly used modern colours of black and white
    Red and white Mizuhiki, and gold and silver Mizuhiki
    Genda Shigyō shopfront

  • St. Peter Stiftskulinarium – est. 803
    Industry: Restaurant

    The historical roots of the St. Peter Stiftskulinarium go far back into history. The legendary location is the oldest restaurant in Europe and is one of the oldest walls in Salzburg. In fact, even Faust is said to have visited the “Stiftskeller” in person.

    An image of St. Peter restaurant from their website
    The drinks menu (right click, and open in new tab to view)
    The food menu (right click, and open in new tab to view)
    The Richardstube, casual fine dining lounge at St. Peter.

  • Staffelter Hof – est. 862
    Industry: Restaurant
    Website: https://www.staffelter-hof.de/english/

    Staffelter Hof, founded in AD 862 in the Moselle Valley of Germany, is widely recognised as the world’s oldest continuously operating winery, producing wine for more than eleven centuries.

    Logo of Staffelter Hof
    A backdrop of the Staffelter Hof vineyards
    The Staffelter Hof Guesthouse
    Art and culture portrayed at Staffelter Hof

  • Monnaie de Paris – est. 864
    Industry: Currency Minting
    Website: https://www.monnaiedeparis.fr/

    Founded in AD 864, Monnaie de Paris is the world’s oldest continuously operating mint and the oldest institution in France still in operation.

    Logo of Monnaie de Paris
    Marc Schwartz, Chairman & CEO of Monnaie de Paris
    A Monnaie de Paris workshop
    The Genius of Liberty coin, 2026.

  • Tanaka-Iga – est. 885

  • Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli – est. 1040

  • University of Bologna – est. 1088

  • Tsuen Tea – est. 1160

  • Richard de Bas – est. 1324

  • Camuffo – est. 1438

  • Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena – est. 1472