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Top 20 factory tours in Japan

There’s nothing worse that getting stuck on a guided tour going through room upon room of humdrum displays while a sleepy-eyed guide rambles on about nothing important. To save us all from making the mistake of going on a boring tour, Trip Advisor Japan compiled a list of the best factory tours in the country. Results are ranked according to the most talked about museums and factories on their website. As you might expect, over half of the best tours involve alcohol.

1. Instant Ramen Museum (Osaka)

Visitors can not only view the history of instant ramen, but also try their hand at making Chicken Ramen from scratch in a 90-minute workshop that costs only 500 yen. Visitors can also choose to make their own Cup Noodles for 300 yen. English audio guides are available for videos shown in the Research Shack and Cup Noodle Drama Theatre.

2. Nuchi-masu Salt Factory (Uruma City, Okinawa)

Nuchi-masu is a salt made in Okinawa that is so rich in minerals, it was in the Guinness World Records in 2000. Nuchi-masu is made entirely of Okinawan seawater taken from the Pacific Ocean and visitors of the salt factory can view and experience the making of this natural seasoning.

3. Nikka Whiskey Distillery (Yoichi City, Hokkaido)

Self-guided tours and guided-tours in Japanese are conducted daily. The best part is that visitors can taste three different types of whiskey for free.

4. Orion Beer Factory (Nago City, Okinawa)

Lesser known Orion beer can be sampled during your visit to Okinawa at the Orion Beer Factory.

5. Kawasaki Good Times World (Kobe City, Hyogo)

With a name like that, it’s got to be a good tour. Visitors to Kawasaki Good Times World are treated to a showcase of technology made by the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group including ships, rolling stock, aircraft, and motorcycles.

6. Suntory Musashino Factory (Fuchu City, Tokyo)

Enjoy free samples of beer here…and tours and other stuff, but mostly free samples.

7. Suntory Yamazaki Distillery (Shimamoto Town, Osaka)

Enjoy free Yamazaki Whiskey here.

8. Chateraise (Hokuto City, Yamanashi)

Chateraise is a natural sweets and gifts company in Yamanashi Prefecture. Enjoy a tour of the ice cream making facilities as well as sweet samples.

9. Toyota Technology Museum (Nagoya City, Aichi)

The Toyota Technology Museum boasts over 4,000 exhibition pieces in their Nagoya-based building.

10. Suntory Kyoto Beer Factory (Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto)

Enjoy those free samples.

11. Asahi Beer Factory (Fukuoka City, Fukuoka)

This isn’t even the last alcohol-based tour on our list…

12. Suntory Tomi No Oka Winery (Kai City, Yamanashi)

For wine lovers.

13. Kirin Yokohama Beer Village (Yokohama City, Kanagawa)

Keep scrolling for more beer tour options.

14. Unagi Pie Factory (Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka)

Unagi Pies are a famous Hamamatsu City confectionery. After touring the factory, visitors are invited to try original ice cream creations using Unagi Pies.

15. Sapporo Beer Museum (Sapporo City, Hokkaido)

16. Suntory Hakushu Distillery (Hakuto City, Yamanashi)

17. Tokachi Winery (Tokachi City, Hokkaido)

18. Shiroi Koibito Park (Sapporo City, Hokkaido)

Enjoy sampling Hokkaido’s famous treat at the Shiroi Koibito Park.

19. Royce Chocolate World (Chitose City, Hokkaido)

Royce Chocolate World is in the New Chitose Airport. It is the first chocolate factory and museum located in an airport. 20. Cup Noodle Museum (Yokohama City, Kanagawa)

View 3,000 different packages of ramen and enjoy making your own at the Cup Noodle Museum.

There you have it, the top 20 factory tours in Japan starting and ending with ramen. Of the 20 factories listed, 11 are related to alcohol and five are located in Hokkaido. Suntory seems to hold great tours if the company’s five spots in the top 20 are any indication. But the lesson to take away from this list is that no matter where you go in Japan you’ll be able to find a factory tour giving out free alcohol. Happy drinking!

Source: NariNari

Read more stories form RocketNews24. -- Instant Ramen #1 on Favorite Japanese Factory Tours, Field Trips -- Free Admission – Twelve of Tokyo’s Best Kept Secrets -- Top 20 Japanese Travel Destinations For Foreign Visitors

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6 Comments Login to comment

Harry_Gatto June 6, 2013 08:42 am JST

Suntory and Nikka make whisky, not whiskey.

nicolls June 6, 2013 10:00 am JST

it's all food.

JetSpeed June 6, 2013 11:05 am JST

Bunch of damn drunks.

davestrousers June 6, 2013 11:37 am JST

Asahi Beer Factory (Fukuoka City, Fukuoka)

There are 8 Asahi Beer factories offering tours dotted around Japan. Any particular reason this one makes the top 20?

nath June 11, 2013 02:39 pm JST

@ dave because Kyushu was ill represented in this list.

Matt McCormick Oct. 1, 2013 06:50 am JST

The Sapporo beer museum doesn't do tours anymore. I was there two months ago and was disappointed going there. Basically it's just a room where you can see a couple vats and read about the history (only in Japanese)

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• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Mitsubishi

Introduction

The famous three diamonds of the Mitsubishi group date back to 1870, when Yatarō Iwasaki (1835–1885) started a shipping firm. This eventually became the biggest industry group in Japan.

They built their first car in 1917, although it was no commercial success. They built their first commercial vehicle in 1932. During World War II, they were one of the major weapons producers in Japan.

After the war, the US Government dismantled these industry groups and the company was split in different parts. Eventually in 1970, Mitsubishi motors was created as an independent company. Mitsubishi frequently had partnerships with foreign car makers, and in 1990 was rumored to try to take over Honda. Mitsubishi Fuso for their trucks and buses was established as a separate company in 2003, with Daimler being the largest shareholder, holding currently 89% of the shares.

As for corporate responsibility, Mitsubishi Motors does not have a good reputation. There were multiple scandals, dating back to 1970, where they covered up defects and manipulated their fuel efficiency. Their (former) president, Kawasoe, along with other managers was arrested and convicted. Mitsubishi Motors suffered, and retreated. Their Australian plant was closed in 2005, their European plants shut down in 2012, and by 2015 they closed their US plants. Eventually in 2016, Nissan achieved a controlling stake of 34%. Hence, nowadays Mitsubishi Motors is controlled by Nissan (the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance), and Mitsubishi Fuso by Daimler.

The famous three diamonds were merely a rock in the jewelry box of someone else, and the morale of many employees suffered from this humiliation. According to Vorkers.com, Mitsubishi workers are among the unhappiest in the Japanese automotive industry with an average ranking of only 2.6 out of 5 (Toyota 4.2).

Their line takt was sixty-three seconds per vehicle (or fifty-seven cars per hour), producing around 1,000 cars per day, or around 500 per shift. The monthly goal was 20,179 vehicles for January, up from 18,428 in the previous (holiday) month. The assembly line produces in lot size one, and every car on the line can be of a different model.

Information Flow

Mitsubishi Motors seems to use kanban to control their material flow. A lot of the picking of kits is also done using pick-by light. They work in teams with an average size of fifteen people (1,100 blue-helmet workers managed by seventy white-helmet supervisors).

I saw andons showing the target quantity for the given time (286 cars at 14:17), the actual quantity produced (265 cars) and the gap (-21 cars) as well as the total target for the entire shift (501 cars). They had two types of andon lines, a yellow warning line and a red stop line that stopped the line in case of problem.

Material Flow

Interestingly, for the assembly of the axles and the engine, they turned the car sideways. Later for other assembly work, the car was oriented forward again as shown below. Besides the orientation, this is actually part of a new concept at Mitsubishi (and similar at Toyota) where they try to have an assembly line that can easily be moved or rearranged. The key point is that all equipment is floor mounted or even just put on the floor rather than hanging from overhead. At Mitsubishi, this is called a Tatami Conveyor (畳コンベア ), and Okazaki is their first plant with this system. I have written more on this concept (with focus on Toyota) in a previous blog post on the  Continued Evolution of the Toyota Assembly Line .

Like many other automotive plants, quite a bit of the material is provided in the form of kits that travel along the body on an AGV. As it is common in Japan, these AGVs use inexpensive plastic pipes to create a shelf superstructure.

Very interestingly, they use golf carts as AGVs. I have seen stripped-down golf cars as AGVs before with storage for parts on top, but Mitsubishi uses the entire golf cart for pulling between one and three carts behind it! These are standard golf carts, upgraded with a computer for self-driving and some red/yellow/green status lights on top. They use around two hundred of them for longer distance transport. These golf carts transfer the goods to smaller shelves or AGVs next to the assembly line.

Overall, the material flow felt organized, although it seemed to be more material than what I was used to at Toyota.

There seems to be still some hand-welding, painting, and coating. But tires, seats, gas tanks, and dashboards are installed with the help of a mechanical arm, although they do not have a raku-raku seat that goes along with it (mechanical arm with a seat so the worker can comfortably slide in and out of the car while sitting).

As for their production efficiency, I observed around 40% value-added time during the axle assembly and 50% during the final assembly, putting it on the average of Japanese automotive assembly, but far behind Toyota with 70% to 90% value-adding time for their workers. This did not include the problem that caused the stop of the entire line for thirty minutes, which supposedly has never happened before . I hope someone someday will fix this “ NeverHappenedBefore ” thing, because it seems to be happening everywhere all the time all over the world 🙂 . (The only other possibility would be that these “ NeverHappenedBefore ” things happen only if I am in the plant, in which case I would obviously be the cause … somehow.) In any case, the line utilization was supposedly 95.7%.

If You Want to Follow in My Footsteps …

The tour at Mitsubishi Okazaki was a larger tour with fourteen people. It is one of the very few automotive tours in the world where you can also see (part of) the paint shop and the stamping shop. For registration and the visit, you would need to speak at least some basic Japanese and have to call the plant. They were also the only plant that required me to put stickers on my mobile phone cameras.

The plant was clean (although the paint shop was smelly, which is somewhat unavoidable) They also had a nice training area next to the line with a focus on safety, similar to Toyota and Scania . Overall, the plant gave me  the impression of a good average Japanese automotive plant. Particularly noteworthy was that they included the paint shop in the tour, and that they use almost unmodified golf carts for material transport. I enjoyed the visit. Now, go out, and organize your industry!

Series Overview

• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Overview and Toyota
• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Nissan
• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Honda Sayama
• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Honda Kumamoto
• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Mazda
• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Suzuki
• The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Subaru

3 thoughts on “The Grand Tour of Japanese Automotive – Mitsubishi”

• Pingback: Visit to Mitsubishi Motors’ Okazaki Plant | Christoph Roser | AllAboutLean | Michel Baudin's Blog

We are Travelling to Japan & Staying in Nagoya Area on 6th May 2019.

we are a group of 25 Engineers who would like to visit the plant,

Hello Vinay, check the following link (in japanese, maybe use google translate) https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/jp/csr/contribution/local/factory.html . You would need a translator or a japanese speaker to accompany you.

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Plant Tours

【Notice of Temporary Suspension of Plant Tours】

In response to the spread of infection of COVID-19 in Japan,Mitsubishi Motors will suspend all of its plant tours for the time being.

• 2020/XX/XX TEST MESSAGE

Mitsubishi Motors offers plant tours at each of its plants in Japan. On our popular plant tours, you can experience the manufacturing sites where robots and people work. Reservations for tours are handled at each plant. If you are interested in taking a tour, please check the information for each plant below and contact us.

[Note] Due to our production and development schedules, we may not be able to accept visitors during certain periods of time.

Contact Information for Each Plant

Production: Passenger Vehicles

Exhibition Facilities

Production: Engines

Production: Passenger Vehicles, Light Motor Vehicles

Vehicle Production Sites

1, Nakashinkiri, Hashime-cho,Okazaki, Aichi-pref.

1, Kaigan-dori 1-chome, Mizushima, Kurashiki, Okayama-pref.

Powertrain/Parts Production Sites

1, Tatsumi-cho, Uzumasa, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto-pref.

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10 Best Factory Tours in Japan

Bryce was born in California, but raised from the age of 3 near Seattle, Washington. He’s been living in Tokyo for about 7 years, and graduated from Temple University, Japan with degrees in economics and international business. He loves traveling of course, but also cooking, snowboarding, some video games as well. His biggest interest is songwriting/music production, more specifically electronic music… (think Skrillex, Marshmello, Daft Punk, etc.) He also has terrible humor as you’ll notice, but he hopes you’ll enjoy it!

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Japan is a country of innovation and meticulous craftsmanship, where the art of manufacturing is revered. If you’re a curious traveler eager to delve into the heart of Japanese culture, factory tours offer a unique and immersive experience. From tea plantations to whiskey distilleries , and even a knife factory, Japan’s factory tours showcase the nation’s dedication to quality and precision. In this guide, we’ve handpicked the best tours that provide an insightful glimpse into Japan’s industrial prowess. So, let’s grab our safety goggles and embark on an adventure through the fascinating world of Japanese manufacturing!

1. Matcha Green Tea Plantation and Matcha Factory Visit

2. special food & sake factory tour in takayama, 3. learn about and try the production of tatami, 4. soy sauce making experience tour, 5. whiskey distillery and beer factory tour in chitose and naganuma, 6. shizuoka tea picking private experience, 7. full day mud dyeing experience & hydrangea flowers viewing, 8. knife factory and craft walking tour, 9. ramen cooking class at ramen factory in kyoto, 10. exploring nada sake breweries kobe private tour with government-licensed guide, japan wonder travel tours , other articles you might enjoy.

Nestled in the serene city of Kyoto , this tour takes you to the enchanting world of Matcha green tea at one of the oldest plantations in the country. Immerse yourself in the lush green tea fields and witness the intricate process of Matcha production. From the cultivation of tea leaves to the finely ground powder, you’ll learn the secrets behind Japan’s iconic tea. Enjoy sampling a variety of freshly brewed cups of Matcha as well as some traditional sweets as you admire the picturesque surroundings. 

Enjoy a pleasant tour to learn about the production of sake as well as senbei (rice crackers) in the history-rich area of Takayama ! Visit a sake distillery as well as a rice cracker factory. Japan is well known for rice , of course, and for a good reason. There are many different delicacies that can be made from rice, and this tour is perfect for learning in-depth about a couple of them. This tour is a great balance between history, walking, snacks, and sake!

For a truly immersive cultural experience, head to Saitama Prefecture and explore the world of Tatami. Witness the craftsmanship behind these traditional woven mats and discover the significance they hold in Japanese homes . Engage in a hands-on experience, learning the art of Tatami making from skilled artisans. Enjoy a nice cup of tea included at the end of the tour, which is also a great time to shop for souvenirs!

Venture to Shizuoka Prefecture and uncover the savory secrets of Soy Sauce production. This tour takes you through the production process, allowing you to make your own bottle to take home and enjoy! Immerse yourself in the rich aromas and taste the authentic flavors of this beloved condiment. This tour is also great for those fascinated by history as the store, Meijiya, has been around for more than 100 years! What’s more is that the master of the store will be the one to guide you on the tour.

Calling all whiskey and beer aficionados! Embark on a journey to Hokkaido , more specifically  Chitose and Naganuma and explore the world of Japanese spirits. Visit a renowned whiskey distillery in the Maoi area of Naganuma, where master blenders create exquisite blends using time-honored techniques. Discover the intricate process of brewing beer at the Kirin brewery in Chitose and indulge in a tasting session of their Ichiban shibori. There’s also a tasty meal included in the tour to keep your palate ready for more refined beverages! 

Escape the city bustle and embrace the tranquility of Shizuoka’s tea fields. Engage in a private tea-picking experience, plucking fresh leaves under the guidance of tea masters. Immerse yourself in the peaceful surroundings as you learn about the various tea varieties and the traditional cultivation methods. Afterward, enjoy and savor the delicate flavors of freshly brewed tea, as well as take home a variety with you to enjoy!

If you plan to stay in Shizuoka any longer, especially in the summer, be sure to check out the beaches !

Unleash your creativity and try your hand at the intricate mud dyeing techniques. Join this hands-on workshop in Tokyo, where you’ll learn the art of mud dyeing, known as Dorozome. Create unique patterns on cloth using natural pigments and take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir. In addition, explore the enchanting beauty of 10,000 hydrangea flowers in full bloom on Mt. Hydrangea (yes, translated from Japanese, that is actually the name!), adding a touch of nature to your cultural experience. You’ll also be able to enjoy a traditional Kaiseki-style lunch!

Discover the ancient craft of knife making in Sakai, a city renowned for its exceptional blades. This walking tour takes you through the process of forging and sharpening traditional Japanese knives. Meet skilled craftsmen who have honed their craft for generations and witness their meticulous attention to detail. You’ll have the chance to order your own custom blade and watch it be prepared in front of you! Visit the local museum afterward to learn more about knife history, as well as more about Sakai. Also, you’ll be able to enjoy the regionally famous sweet, Yatsuhashi , which also makes for a great souvenir . 

Delve into the world of Japan’s most beloved comfort food— Ramen ! Or is it just our favorite? Let’s not argue… anyways, Join a cooking class at the Ramen Factory in Kyoto and learn to make this iconic dish from scratch. Under the guidance of experienced chefs, craft your own noodles, simmer flavorful broths, and assemble your personalized bowl of Ramen. Unleash your culinary creativity as you experiment with toppings and seasonings. Savor the satisfaction of devouring a steaming bowl of your own creation. Slurp away! 

Complete your manufacturing tour adventure in the city of Nada, the sake capital of Japan, where sake breweries teem and await your exploration. Embark on a private tour with a knowledgeable guide and dive into the world of Nada Sake. Learn about the intricate sake brewing process and discover the nuances that define each brew. With a variety of 8 different breweries to choose from, it will be no problem to savor the flavors of different sake varieties through tastings and gain insights into the rich cultural heritage of sake production. 

Japan Wonder Travel is a travel agency that offers guided tours throughout Japan.  From private walking tours to delicious Food and Drink tours, we can help you organize the best tours just for you! If you want to explore Japan and learn more about the history and backstories of each area you are visiting, our knowledgeable and friendly English speaking guides will happily take you to the best spots!  In addition, we can provide you with any assistance you may need for your upcoming trip to Japan, so please feel free to contact us if yu have any questions or need some help! 

▶ Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Drink Tour Explore the most lively and popular fish market in Tokyo and try some of the local’s favorite street foods and sake with one of our friendly and knowledgeable English speaking guides! 

▶ Tokyo 1–Day Highlights Private Walking Tour (8 Hours) There’s no better way to explore an area than taking a tour with a knowledgeable local guide. You will have the chance to learn about the history and interesting background stories of Tokyo, as well as discover some hidden gems which can be hard to do without a guide.

▶ Mt. Fuji Day Trip Bus Tour from Tokyo Experience the breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji by visiting the highlights of the area on our guided sightseeing bus tour! Departing from Shinjuku in central Tokyo, you can travel comfortably to all of the best spots in the area by bus.

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Immerse yourself into the original Japanese thinking behind lean and its successful application across a range of industries.

Whether you are new to the concept of lean, or searching for that next level of achievement, you will return home with a better understanding of how lean can be successfully implemented and sustained within your organization.

The Lean Japan Tour is run by Shinka Management. Our first lean tour was first run in 2007, and the program has since been attended by senior management and lean leaders from over 60 countries. Positions are limited to 20 participants per lean tour and registrations are accepted on a first-come first-served basis.

Tours are run either in English or Spanish . Find the one that suits you best in the up-coming Lean Japan Tours section below.

Read a report and participant feedback from one of our recent lean tour programs which visited Tokyo, Inuyama and Ashikaga.

Want to see more? View our lean tour videos at our YouTube Channel

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Download the tour registration form , or contact shinka management to register your interest in a lean tour or inquire further..

Fee: US$6,750 Includes accommodation, meals and drinks, train and coach transfers, airport meet & greet, company tours, seminars, hands-on training, sightseeing, interpreters. Does not include airfare, travel insurance and meals on two free evenings and Saturday lunch.

Example industries visited: Automotive, Appliances, Metal Processing, Electronics, Food & Beverage, Government, Healthcare

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I’m back from Japan where I visited one of Toyota’s final assembly line and several Toyota suppliers. After my China industrial tour in 2018, I was really impressed by the lean manufacturing study tour organized by Shinka Management. The tour was an opportunity to better understand the history behind the Toyota Production System and to… read more

Wow. What a great experience not just from a learning perspective but also a great cultural experience as well. From the start the group came together really well. It was a perfect mix of practical and theory, and to gain an insight into the Toyota Production System and see it in action at all the… read more

I joined the tour with little understanding of lean. This tour opened my eyes to the possibilities of what can be achieved through continued focus on improvement and team work at all levels. The plant tours showcase the Kaizen and 5S principles perfectly. The surprising thing for me is that safety and quality were paramount… read more

Thank you for the well-organized and informative tour. It can be distracting to read and attend lectures about lean, but when combined with practical training and actual visits to the home of lean, it helps to clarify and connect all the dots. The tour was an eye-opening experience where we witnessed lean manufacturing principles in… read more

I was very impressed with the professionalism and preparedness of the Shinka team. The support both before and during the tour was fantastic. It was the right mix of culture and personal development. There were lots of learnings I will take with me. read more

First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude for this unforgettable trip. From the beginning, the level of organization and attention to detail was outstanding. The program was well thought out, providing a perfect balance between plant visits, theoretical training, and practical experiences. It’s evident that a lot of thought and effort went… read more

Benefits of participating in a lean study tour

The Lean Japan Tour will broaden your thinking and build your knowledge of lean management principles. You’ll experience lean implementation, kaizen and kaikaku philosophies in some of Japan’s top companies, and develop the understanding necessary to implement these within your organization.

Shinka Management specializes in lean consulting and has been running lean study missions to Japan since 2007. The lean manufacturing tour includes an intensive week of f actory visits , senior management discussions , training in a Toyota Group lean training facility and Japanese cultural experiences . We look after you from the moment you touch-down in Nagoya, providing train transfers and private bus transport, first-class accommodation and meals, cultural guidance and interpreting services.

You’ll enjoy this experience of a lifetime, and return home energized and ready to help your company take its next step in its lean journey.

• Learn lean principles directly from the source
• Gain valuable business insights and learnings to be transferred to your business
• Visit world-class lean facilities, including companies spanning the Toyota supply chain
• Hold discussions with senior management and draw on their decades of experience
• Learn best practices for implementing and sustaining lean culture
• Challenge yourself with hands-on training in a Toyota group lean training facility
• Share experiences with tour participants from across the globe
• Experience Japanese culture and cuisine during an unforgettable week of professional development

About the lean tour

The Lean Japan Tour is a customized guided tour to visit world class lean organizations in Japan. This is an opportunity to explore the factory premises, observe the processes, communicate with lean practitioners and learn from the experts in lean manufacturing. The lean tour comprises a combination of seminars, hands-on training experiences, management discussions and site visits, that have been tailored to develop your lean awareness and capability, and to help you solve your operational challenges.

Lean Concepts

Move beyond theory and experience lean manufacturing in action. Discuss managers’ experiences and learn how to implement a lean culture and use of the following lean tools within your organisation.

• Toyota Production System (TPS)
• Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• Total Quality Management (TQM)
• 5S, Standard Work
• Visual Management, Kanban
• Just-In-Time, Jidoka

Japanese Cultural Experience

Enjoy a journey like no other as you immerse yourself in an exhilarating mix of cultural experiences. Visiting Japan is a unique and enriching experience, and you’ll have plenty of time to take in the food and culture and explore some of Japan’s most amazing urban landscapes.

Day One of the Lean Japan Tour typically includes training on Japanese business etiquette and culture to ensure participants make the most of their week interacting with local industry leaders and experiencing this truly wonderful country.

Lean Company Visits and Factory Tours

Shinka Management has an extensive network of world-leading Japanese lean companies. Since 2007 our tours have visited lean companies in a range of industries for facility tours and discussions with senior management.

Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Motor Corporation is a leading Japanese car manufacturer, and the home of the Toyota Production System (TPS), a world-famous lean management philosophy founded on the two key pillars of Jidoka and Just-In-Time.

Metal One Isuzu

Isuzu Corporation is a trading company within Metal One Corporation specializing in the steel industry. The Steel Service Division of the company processes and supplies cold rolled steel to various industries, via a network of nine regional service centers.

Rinnai Corporation is a Japanese multinational heat and energy appliance manufacturer headquartered in Nagoya, Japan. The company has 14 subsidiaries and production bases in Japan as well as over 30 manufacturing subsidiaries overseas.

Nissan Motor Kyushu

Nissan Motor Kyushu is one of five manufacturing sites across Japan producing finished vehicles for Nissan. The company started its operation in 1975 as the first car manufacturing company in Kyushu and is located on the coast of Suo Sea in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Omron Kyoto Taiyo

Omron Kyoto Taiyo is an electrical component manufacturer that was formed as a joint venture between Omron and the social welfare service corporation Japan Sun Industries. The company produces high-quality electrical components used for industrial equipment.

JTEKT Corporation

JTEKT Corporation is a major supplier of steering systems in the automotive sector, and a manufacturer of bearings and machine tools for a variety of sectors including steel, railway, aerospace, construction and machinery.

Subaru Corporation

Subaru Corporation is one of Japan’s globally renowned car manufacturers. Aside from the automotive manufacturing business, they also have an aerospace business and manufacture aircraft and structural components.

Takatsuki General Hospital

Takatsuki General Hospital is one of the leading hospitals in Japan particularly in the area of paediatrics and neonatal intensive care. The hospital is in Takatsuki City, Osaka and serves as a prominent acute care hospital for the region.

Toyota Boshoku Kyushu

Toyota Boshoku operates around the globe and they are a major tier-one supplier to the Toyota Group. The Kyushu company produces seats, door trims and engine components exclusively for Lexus models manufactured by Toyota Motor Kyushu.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Tokyo. The company is part of the Mitsubishi Group companies that include multinational companies in various industries.

Toyota Body Seiko

Toyota Body Seiko, a subsidiary of Toyota Auto Body, is an integrated automotive parts manufacturer that develops, designs and manufactures auto seat parts, frames and pressed components. The company is a first-tier supplier to the Toyota Group.

Osaka City University Hospital

Osaka City University Hospital is one of the largest general hospitals in Japan with 32 medical departments. It is designated as an Advanced Treatment Hospital by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan.

Toyota Motor Kyushu

Toyota Motor Kyushu primarily produces Lexus-branded vehicles including the environmentally-friendly hybrid models for both the domestic and export markets around the globe. The company operates three plants all in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Aijinkai Rehabilitation Hospital

Aijinkai Rehabilitation Hospital is a hospital affiliated with the Aijinkai Healthcare Corporation. The hospital provides high-level rehabilitation services supported by their cross-functional team with high-tech equipment.

Gifu Auto Body

Gifu Auto Body is one of the 13 Toyota final assembly plants in Japan and consistently receives the Toyota award for quality within the group. Their major product is the Toyota HiAce vehicle but they also started manufacturing the Toyota Coaster bus in 2017.

Yanmar is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance diesel engines which are used in a wide variety of applications. The company also manufactures its own related machines and has a well-established global sales and service network.

TOTO Sanitechno

TOTO manufactures and markets ceramic bathroom ware including toilet basins, sinks, bathtubs, fittings and the famous Japanese toilet seats. TOTO Sanitechno is one of the TOTO Group companies with four production bases in Japan.

Sekisui Heim Chubu

Sekisui Heim is a renowned and trusted housing brand in Japan that is owned by Sekisui Chemical Group. As a member of the Sekisui Chemical group, Sekisui Heim Chubu produces high-quality prefabricated steel frame and wooden modular houses.

Yamaha Corporation

Yamaha is synonymous around the world for manufacturing quality musical instruments. The company has established a system to efficiently manufacture and supply products globally. It now has its production and sales bases over 30 countries and regions.

Panasonic Eco Technology Center

Panasonic Eco Technology Center was founded in 2000 with the aim to recover and recycle resources from end-of-life home appliances. The center promotes recycling-oriented manufacturing under the slogan of “product-to-product”.

Suzaki Industries

Suzaki Industries is a SME that produces pressed, welded and assembled components for the automotive industry. The company supplies components for many of the major Japanese automotive groups, including Toyota and Honda.

Yakult is a leading Japanese probiotic beverage company. The company has several global production bases and a well-established sales network. Their products are now sold in over 40 countries and regions across the world.

Fundokin Shoyu

Fundokin Shoyu is a well-esteemed Japanese food manufacturer based in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu that produces high quality soy sauce, miso (fermented soybean paste) and salad dressing. The company operates three factories all in Oita.

Chuo Malleable Iron

Chuo Malleable Iron is a cast iron and aluminum component manufacturer. The company mainly supplies to the automobile and electric industries and their major trading partners include Toyota Group companies such as Toyota Motor Corporation.

Kewpie Corporation

Kewpie Corporation is a Japanese packaged food manufacturer. It is well known for its popular brand of mayonnaise product with a distinctive Kewpie baby doll logo. The company operates eight plants in Japan and has several production bases overseas.

Oita City Government

Oita City is the capital city of Oita Prefecture and is located on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu. The city is regarded as one of the leading municipalities in Japan with a successful lean program to achieve office and service work improvement and efficiency.

Hamamatsu City Hall

Hamamatsu City is located on the western side of Shizuoka Prefecture. The city is home to some of the world’s leading companies such as Honda and is recognised as one of the leading governments in Japan with a successful lean program.

Taikoh Transportation

Taikoh Transportation is a Toyota Group logistics company that delivers products to Toyota and other automakers. The company is the first company that established a procurement logistics system based on the Toyota Production System in Japan.

Kirin Brewery

Kirin Brewery is a leading Japanese beer maker. It is one of the of the Kirin Holdings subsidiaries which is an integrated beverages company that manufactures and sells a wide range of beverages as well as pharmaceutical and bio-chemical products.

Kikuchi Gear

Kikuchi Gear is a well-established gear manufacturer with 140 employees based in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. Their products are used in leading-edge industrial products in the aerospace, automotive, construction machinery and printing sectors.

Ishii Machinery

Ishii Machinery is a well-established SME in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture that engineers and produces various industrial precision components and equipment that are mainly supplied to the automotive and aerospace sectors.

Customized Lean Tours and Japan-Based Lean Training Programs

Shinka Management also runs private customized kaizen study tours and Japan study missions for companies and universities, as well as three, four or five-day kaizen training programs at a Toyota Group lean training facility and associated factories in Japan. Contact us to discuss customizing a lean professional development program for your organization, or learn more about our lean training courses .

Comments from Lean Tour Participants

Further feedback from our lean tour alumni can be viewed on the lean mission testimonials page.

A very valuable and well-organized experience. Getting good access to factories where TPS and lean manufacturing are used as well as the instruction from experienced instructors made this a very worthwhile experience. Participants should leave well equipped to train others as well as conduct kaizen practices themselves. read more

First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude for this unforgettable trip. From the beginning, the level of organization and attention to detail was outstanding. The program was well thought out, providing a perfect balance between plant visits, theoretical training, and practical experiences. It’s evident that a lot of thought and effort went into ensuring the satisfaction of the participants. I return to Tunisia with a wealth of information about the culture and etiquette of Japan, and it has inspired me to delve even deeper into the rich history of this fascinating country.

One of the highlights for me was the discovery of the Toyota Commemorative Museum, the practical training center, and the Gifu Auto Body Toyota HiAce final assembly plant. The visits to Toyota Boshoku Seiko, GI Service, Suzaki Industries, and AVEX were truly enlightening. Many concepts about lean management that I previously misunderstood were clarified, and obtaining information from the source was enriching. I must also commend the selection of hotels, which were not only comfortable but strategically located, providing easy access to explore the surrounding areas. The choice of restaurants and the diverse culinary experiences incorporated into the trip were exceptional.

I am typically hard to impress, but this time was an exception. Thank you for orchestrating such a fantastic tour and I would not hesitate to recommend Shinka Management services to colleagues and friends. read more

The Lean Japan Tour was an educational and exciting experience. The Shinka Management team with its impeccable all-round service ensured that the head and heart were free and open the whole time to be able to collect the many impressions. The factory tours, in connection with getting to know the country and culture, have expanded my lean experience in many ways. Thank you for the excellent organization and the exciting learning opportunities. read more

My experience on the Lean Japan Tour was much more than expected. I’ve come to realise that there’s much more for me to learn regarding TPS. The program is excellent in terms of the content, but also, and no less important, the personalized attention made me feel like I am a member of the Shinka Management team. I also appreciate very much that they shared with us many experiences during our time in Japan, where we could confirm that the culture of the country is as it is reported outside of Japan. Thank you. read more

A great tour. Having spent over 20 years in manufacturing I now understand the true meaning of Kaizen. read more

The thing about the Lean Japan Tour by Shinka Management is that it’s not focused only on production efficiency, but also involves the lean way of managing people & reducing waste as a path to improving an organization’s quality & efficiency.

We had the chance to visit different plants, and the privilege of meeting sensei from different backgrounds.

I express my appreciation to the Shinka Management team who organized this joyful & knowledgeable trip. Especially Paul for keeping the knowledge flowing even during the bus rides, Eri for the fluent interpreting & the coordination of our stay in Japan, and Juan for sharing his long experience within Japanese automotive manufacturers that applied kaizen. The team’s passion for lean management and expertise elevated the entire experience. read more

Mitsubishi Motors Thailand opens THB 3 billion Laem Chabang paint facility powered by world-class, eco-friendly technologies

CHONBURI — March 16, 2022: Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd. continues to advance its manufacturing capabilities as it opened a world-class paint factory in Laem Chabang, Chonburi. The new facility is designed to offer best-quality automotive paintwork through innovative and environment-friendly technologies for export and domestic markets which benefits all customers. This latest development strengthens the company’s commitment to support Thailand’s carbon-neutral and sustainability ambitions as well as to fulfill Mitsubishi Motors Corporation’s Environmental Vision 2050 where it seeks to reduce carbon emissions, promote resource recycling, and prevent pollution.

Joining the grand opening ceremony and the paint factory’s tour are Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Thailand’s Minister of Industry; H.E. Mr. NASHIDA Kazuya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan; Mr. Niti Wiwatwanich, Vice Governor of Chonburi Province, Mr. Takao Kato, Representative Executive Officer for the President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation; Mr. Mitsunori Kitao, Executive Officer - Production of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation; and Mr. Eiichi Koito, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

The Laem Chabang paint factory is powered by cutting-edge technologies to ensure the highest quality of paint process where the complicated and deep paint areas are required such as sealer automation, robots and electrostatic spray gun. Customers can enjoy their vehicles with desirable

paint quality. The latest facility has been well-designed to optimize its operations with an aim to reduce pollution, minimize waste, maximize resource efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through many painting processes including cartridge paint system, the regenerative thermal oxidation and waterborne technology. Every step of the production, they can significantly reduce up to 50% of volatile organic compounds (VoCs) to the environment. The wastewater treatment plant also allows for water recycling and reduces wastewater discharge by 50%.

Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Thailand’s Minister of Industry, said: “I believe that everyone has realized the importance of sustainability. For the manufacturing sector the economic growth is vital. However, strengthening the economy should be done along with environmental consciousness. We have to balance these different angles. Therefore, the government promotes BCG model, which consists of Bio-Circular-Green economy, in order to lead a sustainable growth of Thailand. The current Thai government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, has announced that Thailand is targeting to achieve carbon neutrality goal by 2050 and net zero emission by 2065. For this reason, the investment in EV which utilizes clean energy will be a significant part for Thailand achievement. Thailand would like to welcome more investment in green and clean manufacturing. The Ministry of Industry provides best effort to support and encourage private sectors to enhance their technologies and innovations aiming to reduce negative impacts on the environment. Our goal is to move Thai industry towards a greener era.”

The new paint factory is part of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation’s efforts to create a sustainable and carbon-free society globally for the next 30 years through its Environmental Plan Package, which seeks to promote energy conservation and the use of renewable energy as well as reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its business activities by 40%.

Mr. Takao Kato, Representative Executive Officer for the President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation said: “At Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, we focus on producing premium, high-quality vehicles. The opening of the new paint factory in Laem Chabang today is also in alignment with Mitsubishi Motors’ Mid-Term Business Plan from 2020 to 2022 to prioritize Thailand and Southeast Asian countries as an important region. In addition to the company's regional and global expansion, the Mid-Term Business Plan also to transform our business towards a sustainable future and create sustainable growth of the automotive industry in Thailand and the region.”

At present, the Laem Chabang facility has an annual production capacity with more than 400,000 units and make five models — Mitsubishi Triton, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Mitsubishi Mirage, Mitsubishi Attrage and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Among them, the Outlander PHEV, Triton and Pajero Sport will be painted in the new paint facility.

Mr. Eiichi Koito, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand said: “As one of Thailand’s leading automotive manufacturers and exporters, we are committed to producing and selling a range of vehicles that come with eco-friendliness, high quality, great performance, safety, comfort developed by our technologies. The new paint factory is the largest part of investment for automotive manufactory, and we have invested 3 billion baht for this new factory. This is our long-term commitment to produce and deliver vehicles with the world-class paint quality here in Thailand. At the paint factory, we have adopted the solar energy as an alternative source. With the generating capacity of 2 megawatts, it can help our production facility reduce about 1,700 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. These new solar panels combined with the solar panels that have already been installed at the production facility can together reduce up to 6,100 tons of carbon emissions every year.”

“In addition to its new paint facility, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand will continue to take steps to reduce CO2 emissions in the country and develop initiatives that are in line with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation’s sustainability direction through our eco-friendly but high performance vehicle such as Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, solar energy utilization at our production facility and relevant CSR programs such as 60 Rai reforestation project and the solar panel donation project to the rural hospitals named, Solar for Lives,” Mr. Koito added.

Mitsubishi Motors Thailand has five factories in the country. Today, there are more than 6,200 Thai employees spread across its facilities. The company itself creates more than 400,000 employees work in the entire value chain connected with Mitsubishi Motors Thailand.

About Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh)

Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd., the largest plant in the MMC group and an export hub to more than 120 countries, is one of Thailand’s leading automotive manufacturers committed to produce and sell a range of vehicles that are eco-friendly, high in quality, performance, safety, comfort, technology and customer satisfaction. In 2018 MMTh celebrated a total production of five million units, and officially opened Education Academy in Pathum Thani. MMTh’s current range of vehicles includes MITSUBISHI TRITON, MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT, MITSUBISHI ATTRAGE, MITSUBISHI MIRAGE, MITSUBISHI XPANDER, MITSUBISHI XPANDER CROSS and MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV. To ensure the highest quality, MMTh uses its proving ground in Si Racha, Chonburi to assess products from design and prototype stages to pre-production and commercialization. This ensures customers take delivery of vehicles that are second-to-none in all aspects of quality.

• Please contact Mitsubishi dealers nationwide for more information and test driving, or contact Mitsubishi Call Center Tel. 02-079-9500 24 hours daily.
• Stay updated with Mitsubishi Motors Thailand;

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While visitors are welcome to see the museum on their own without prior booking, we offer guided tours by our staff to make your visit more enjoyable. (Approximately 60 minutes, no extra charge) Please send an e-mail to [email protected] with the following information: - your name - telephone number - desired date and timing of tour Our staff wil get back to you to confirm your booking. * We accept up to 20 visitors at a time. Tours will be held in groups of approximately 10 visitors. * Reservations can be made from 3 months prior to the visit up until opening hours the day before. However, if slots are open, guests are welcome to sign up the day of at the museum reception. * Operation may change under future circumstances. * We will treat collected personal information with caution, and only use it to check reservations.

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How to Take a Free Toyota Factory Tour – Nagoya, Japan

Note that the Toyota Factory tour is currently suspended (2024). We have retained this overview of our visit to the Toyota Factory Tour and will update this information when the factory tours re-open. Read on for details on when that will be and also for alternatives to the Toyota Factory Tour.

It’s one of the iconic things to do in Japan – take a factory tour, especially as most of the Japanese factory tours are free.   Japan is the birthplace of just-in-time manufacturing, so a visit to a factory should be fascinating! Toyota is Japan’s biggest car manufacturer.  Toyota plant tours take place at the Toyota headquarters in Toyota City just outside Nagoya and is easy to reach.  So here’s all you need to know about visiting the Toyota Factory in Japan.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION IN  OUR DISCLAIMER

There’s more information here on the closure of the Toyota Factory Tour.

You can read further information below about what it was like on the Toyota Factory Tour, and we have alternatives, but if you want to take a car factory tour, then you should head to Mazda. And I wrote about that here.

About the Toyota Factory Tour Nagoya

The Toyota plant tour in Nagoya includes seeing the full production line process at Toyota Nagoya.  This also includes their amazing multi-model systems which allow for the production of all models of vehicle on the SAME production line.

The tour is free, but you must book in advance, there are details below on how to book your place on Toyota’s free factory tour.

No photographs are allowed in the production area, although you can take photographs in the Toyota museum and showroom.

How long does the Toyota Factory Tour Last?

The tour takes place once a day from Monday and Friday and is offered in Japanese and English.   You must pre-book your tour.    The Toyota Factory tour lasts 2 hours.

How to visit the Toyota Factory Tour Japan

The Toyota Factory Japan Tour is free at the Toyota City / Nagoya plant, but you must pre-book your tour.  Tours usually start at around 11:00 but you must be present at the Kaikan museum 30 minutes prior to that.

How to Book a Toyota Factory Tour

You can book a tour up to 3 months in advance of the date that you wish to visit. 

Where is the Toyota Japan Factory Tour?

The Toyota Nagoya Tour is located at Toyota City, close to Nagoya.   You can reach the plant and museum within around 50 minutes from central Nagoya on the Meitetsu Toyota Line to Toyota-shi station.

How much is the Toyota Factory Tour and Museum Japan?

The Nagoya Toyota tour and visit to the museum at the Toyota headquarters is free.  The tour is conducted in both Japanese and English on separate schedules.  The Toyota Kaikan Museum at the Toyota plant is also free to visit.

The Toyota Kaikan Museum is open from 09:30 to 17:00 from Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays and holidays.

Who should take the Toyota Factory Tour Japan?

If you’re a car fanatic then you’ll love the Toyota Nagoya Plant tour.  If you’re interested in just-in-time production methods then this is a fabulous place to visit.  If you like free things to do in Japan then this is also a great experience.

Experience the Toyota Factory Tour Japan

Visiting the Toyota plant in Japan is not difficult.  The Nagoya Toyota factory is easy to reach from Nagoya, so we did it as a day trip – and arrived there at 10 am, ready for our 11 am tour.  The Toyota Factory Tour even has its own train station (so if you’ve got a JR Pass it’s EASY to get to).

Be sure to pick up your JR Pass BEFORE you get into Japan – it will save you a FORTUNE on trains and make life very easy.  You can buy a 7, 14, or 21-day pass and get it shipped to your home address for free.  

The best way to travel around Japan is by train – and you can save a fortune on train travel in Japan by buying the JR Pass BEFORE you get to Japan. You can buy the JR Pass from a number of outlets. We recommend: Get your JR Pass from KLOOK here. – estimate 2 weeks for delivery of the exchange order Buy a JR Pass from JRAILPASS here – get it Fedexed within 24-48 hours to any location including a Fedex office or your hotel in Japan.

There is a cafeteria at the Toyota Kaikan museum where you’ll check in, so if you arrive early there are places to sit, get a drink, and eat snacks.

What Tours to Take in Nagoya

As well as the Toyota Factory tour in Nagoya there are a host of other activities and places to see in Nagoya.

• You can take a day trip from Nagoya to Magome and experience this ancient post town –  with a guide – Get details here
• If you like hiking, then hike the Magome – Tsumago trail under your own steam or take a guided tour here
• Enjoy a maid cafe experience in Nagoya – check details here
• Take a train trip to Inuyama Biyori and dress in a Kimono from Nagoya – check prices here
• Have great family fun with a robot experience – with robots serving you tea!
• Take a guided walking tour of Nagoya – with an included subway ticket for the day – Prices and booking details here
• Visit Legoland Nagoya – for a great family day out – pre-book tickets for Legoland here
• Visit the Nagoya Aquarium – pre-book your tickets for Aquarium Nagoya here

Visit the Toyota Factory Tour Museum

The Toyota Factory museum is free to enter and you do not need a guide to explore it.  As we had arrived early for our tour we spent an hour exploring.

You also get to look around at all the cars that Toyota hopes you will buy. The best was the car fitted for those with disabilities.  It’s possible to sit in most of the cars and really check them out while you’re here.

One of the best things about the Toyota Museum Japan is the fact that they have a robot that has an artificial lung that plays the trombone. And it is pretty damned cool.

Our Experience of the Toyota Factory Tour in Japan

As on the Mazda tour , there are no photos allowed on the tour of the Toyota plant. And when we head off we’re bussed between various parts of the plant, which is impressive and incredibly efficient.

We see several parts of the production line. We learn about just-in-time manufacturing and how quality is valued over quantity and speed.

It’s interesting that I thought it would be groundbreaking and look like it.  But it looks like a regular production line until you look a little closer.  Their multi-model lines are designed to build multiple models on the same line, which is pretty awesome.

There are way more people involved in the production lines than I expected (there are 7,500 people employed here in the Nagoya factory), and many fewer Toyota factory robots than I anticipated.

Perhaps I’m missing something, but the Mazda factory tour beats it hands down.  However, if you’re in Nagoya, then you shouldn’t miss this tour.  And yes, a reminder, it’s free.

It was good. But was it great? No. So I left Toyota, the car in front, feeling like it was definitely the brand behind after my trip to their factory.

And that’s interesting (to me at least). That in my trip to Japan, I’ve had my brand perceptions turned on their head.  Mazda , who I felt pretty ho-hum about – I’m now gung ho about. Toyota is the opposite. Those instant noodle packets that I saw in shops and thought, pah, no, looks cheap and nasty are now the ones that I will buy above all others. Yup, I’m definitely sold on Cup Noodles. Oh, and Asahi beer. Yup, I’ll take that and the  Asahi free brewery tour  and tasting over a poor Sapporo beer and tour and expensive beer hall experience any day.

Just goes to show, that when you dig in a little, perception differs wildly from reality. Now, if only I were in the market for a car… I suppose I’ll make do with cup noodles and beer!

The last word, though goes to the robot… he’s not quite  Asimo , but he plays a mean tune…

Alternatives to the Toyota Factory Tour

As the Toyota Factory Tour is currently CLOSED, then we recommend the following alternatives

The Mazda Factory Tour

Another free car factory tour, this is easy to get to and also close to Nagoya.  You can read more about it here .

The Toyota Techno Museum

This is also known as the Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, or the Toyota Museum Nagoya.  It is located in central Nagoya.  There is no factory here but you’ll find a lot of exhibits on the car production process.

The Toyota Techno Museum is easily reached from Sako station and is close to Nagoya station.  The museum is open from 09:30 to 17:00, the last entry is 16:30 and admission is 500 yen.  The museum is closed on Mondays and also on Tuesdays if Monday is a national holiday.

The Toyota Automobile Museum

This museum displays cars from the late 1800s onwards from Europe, Japan, and America.  You will find it close to Geidaidori Station.   The museum is open from 09:30 to 17:00, with the last entry at 16:30.  The museum is closed on Mondays, and also Tuesdays if the Monday is a National Holiday.  Entrance is 1000 yen.

Other Free Factory Tours in Japan

The Toyota Factory tour is just one of those available when you visit Japan.  Here are other factory tours that we recommend for your visit to Japan.

The Mazda factory tour:  Another great free car factory tour – perhaps even better than the Toyota Factory Tour.

The Asahi Brewery tour : Available at 8 locations throughout Japan this tour not only provides an understanding of Asahi’s history but also gives you free beer tasting at the end – and they’re not small measures!

The  Cup Noodle factory – There are several places where you can visit a cup noodle museum in Japan, but for us visiting the birthplace of noodles in Ikeda was on the list.  Make your own cup noodles here.

If you’re looking for unique experiences in Japan, then I highly recommend heading to watch Sumo practice in Tokyo and experiencing a Maid Cafe in Akihabara too.

Travel Tips for Exploring Japan

• Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.
• Get online immediately with an eSIM for Japan
• Take the right POWER ADAPTER to Japan
• Download and install a VPN BEFORE you travel to Japan > discount coupon here
• Read our guide to the Japan Rail Pass here
• You can buy JR Passes from Klook > check details here
• Or buy JR Passes from JRailPass here with delivery in 24-48 hours (including to your hotel in Japan)
• Want to know what its like at a Maid Cafe ?
• Read about experiencing Sumo Practice in Japan
• Read about staying in a Ryokan town in Japan
• Learn to cook Japanese food in Chef’s kitchens in Japan
• Read about ATM fees in Japan here.
• Save money in Japan with a Wise debit card
• Find the right accommodation for you via Booking.com
• Book an incredible ryokan experience in Japan

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Sarah Carter

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2 thoughts on “ How to Take a Free Toyota Factory Tour – Nagoya, Japan ”

• 2 comments

I like to see live your factory and museum

My son dreams to see the Toyota Factory. He is about 7 years old now and he wishes to work and serve your factory one day. He is a very intelligent kid who is very thoughtful. I wish if I can help him to achieve his dreams.

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