Shirakawa Audio Works

Built for Musicality

Nestled in the historic city of Shirakawa, approximately 185 kilometres northeast of Tokyo, in the foothills of the Nasu Mountains, lies a remarkable centre of audio innovation. Known for Japan’s oldest public park and over 100 Shirakawa Ramen shops, the city has also quietly earned a reputation for pioneering hi-fi craftsmanship.

Shirakawa Audio Works - Dedicated to Musicality

Shirakawa Audio Works - Resiliently Built

Since 2002, Shirakawa Audio Works has been the heart of Marantz manufacturing. Inside, a team of around 200 people—ranging from local artisans to lifelong audiophiles—are united by a shared goal: to create the most musical sound possible.

Shirakawa Audio Works - Throughout Japan

Shirakawa Audio Works - An Audio Works apprentice

Much like Japan itself, Shirakawa blends tradition with technology. One engineer may be perfecting a next-generation amplifier circuit while another carefully anodises the signature champagne faceplate of a Marantz AVR. Apprentices train for years under master engineers before carrying on the legacy.

Shirakawa Audio Works is more than a factory. It’s a laboratory of sound. A workshop of precision. A living embodiment of Kaizen—the belief that continuous, incremental improvements lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Shirakawa Audio Works - The Japanese philosophy

Obsessed with Perfection

Each Marantz product built in Shirakawa is the result of painstaking craftsmanship and rigorous testing. These high-end components are not only engineered for performance but also designed to endure. Quality control borders on obsession: extreme temperature testing, vibration resistance, and even drop-tested packaging are all part of the process.

Crafted to Endure

The resilience of Marantz products mirrors that of the people who make them. In 2011, the Tōhoku earthquake—the most powerful in Japan’s recorded history—left the facility damaged. Just four months later, the team returned to work, wearing hard hats and resuming production. Cracks from that event still run through the building—a physical reminder of determination and pride.

A Living Archive

Shirakawa is also home to a unique and carefully preserved Marantz collection, featuring one or more units of nearly every product ever made. Sunlight filters through the open architecture, illuminating the collection and reflecting the warmth, precision, and passion that defines Marantz.