8 Best Factory Tours in Japan: Toyota, CupNoodles & More
Are you looking for a unique travel experience in Japan beyond temples, cherry blossoms, and busy cities? Then, why not try a factory tour?
Japan is known for “Monozukuri” (ものづくり)—a deep spirit of craftsmanship, pride, and precision in making things. This mindset goes far beyond just “manufacturing”—it’s about care, detail, and passion. By visiting factories in Japan, you can feel the soul of Japanese Monozukuri and see how some of the world’s most famous products are made.
In this blog post, I’ll introduce 8 factory tours in Japan from well-known global brands that are friendly for international tourists. Whether you love cars, whisky, ramen, or even soy sauce, there’s something here for you. These spots are great for families, solo travelers, or repeat visitors looking for something off the beaten path.
Where Are These Factories Located?
To help you plan your trip, I arranged the list geographically, from the Tokyo area to the western regions like Hiroshima. I made a map for easy reference below.
Kikkoman Soy Sauce Museum (Chiba)
About the Company: Kikkoman is Japan’s most famous soy sauce brand and likely sits in your kitchen right now. You can find it in almost every supermarket and Costco across America.
This tour takes you through one of Japan’s most traditional and iconic food brands. The experience includes tasting sessions and historical exhibits that show how this essential Japanese seasoning conquered the world. The facility offers brochures and audio guides to help international visitors navigate the experience.
Practical Details:
- Hours: 9:00-16:00 (Monday-Friday)
- Cost: Free admission
- Reservation: Required
- Duration: About 60 minutes
- Access: Tobu Urban Park Line to Noda-shi Station, about 1.5 hours from Tokyo
- Language: Brochures and audio guides available
- Bonus: Soy sauce tastings and gift shop
- Official Home Page : Kikkoman Soy Sauce Museum
Fun fact: Many Japanese elementary students visit Kikkoman on school trips, making it a nostalgic experience that connects you to Japanese childhood memories!
CupNoodles Museum (Yokohama or Osaka)
About the Company: Nissin invented instant ramen in 1958, revolutionizing quick meals worldwide. Their Cup Noodles are available globally, though the Japanese versions taste quite different from what you’ll find overseas.
This interactive museum lets you create your own custom cup noodles—choose your soup base, toppings, and even design your cup. It’s incredibly fun for families and offers a hands-on experience with English signage and smartphone guides. The museum is highly interactive and perfect for children who love hands-on activities.
Practical Details:
- Hours: 9:30-16:50 (shop closes at 16:40), closed Tuesdays
- Cost: ¥500 for museum entry; additional fees for workshops
- Reservation: Required for workshops and timed entry
- Duration: 1.5-2 hours
- Access: Yokohama – Minatomirai Line (Minatomirai or Bashamichi stations), about 30 minutes from Tokyo; Osaka – Hankyu Takarazuka Line (Ikeda station), about 40 minutes from Osaka
- Language: English signage and smartphone guides available
- Bonus: Create your own cup noodles and discover authentic Japanese flavors
- Official Home Page: CupNoodles Museum
You’ll discover the fascinating history of instant ramen and get to taste the authentic Japanese flavors that might surprise your taste buds.
Suzuki Plaza スズキ歴史館 (Shizuoka)
About the Company: While Suzuki might be less known for cars in some countries, they’re incredibly popular in Japan for their Kei-cars (compact vehicles) and motorcycles, and they have a significant global presence.
This museum-style experience offers a well-organized and attractive exhibition. You’ll learn how Japan’s unique Kei-cars are made and discover Suzuki’s innovation in compact vehicle design. The self-guided format lets you explore at your own pace.
Practical Details:
- Hours: 9:00-16:30, closed Mondays, New Year, and summer holidays
- Cost: Free admission
- Reservation: Required for groups over 11 people
- Duration: About 90 minutes
- Access: JR Tokaido Line to Takatsuka Station, about 2.5 hours from Tokyo
- Language: Self-guided experience
- Bonus: Gift shop available
- Official Home Page: Suzuki Plaza
The facility requires booking but provides an intimate look at Japanese automotive engineering that you might not expect.
YAMAHA Communication Plaza (Shizuoka)
About the Company: YAMAHA is globally famous for motorcycles, musical instruments, and innovative technology—a unique combination that showcases Japanese versatility.
This self-guided experience focuses on motorcycles and innovation through visual exhibits. It’s a perfect detour if you’re traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto, offering insights into how one company successfully operates in completely different industries.
Practical Details:
- Hours: 9:00-17:00, closed weekends and holidays
- Cost: Free admission
- Reservation: Required
- Duration: 60-90 minutes
- Access: JR Tokaido Line to Iwata Station, then bus or taxi, about 2 hours from Tokyo
- Language: Self-guided with visual exhibits
- Bonus: Gift shop available
- Official Home Page: YAMAHA Communication Plaza
Suntory Yamazaki 山崎 & Hakushu 白州Distilleries (Osaka & Yamanashi)
About the Company: Suntory produces world-famous Japanese whisky that has won international acclaim and helped put Japanese spirits on the global map.
These guided tours include whisky tastings and are set in beautiful countryside locations. Both distilleries are extremely popular, so booking early is essential to secure your spot at these coveted whisky experiences.
Practical Details :Yamazaki Distillery (Shimamoto, Osaka):
- Hours: 9:30-16:30 (last entry 16:00), varies and closed Tuesdays
- Cost: Check official website; tours are free but tastings cost extra
- Reservation: Required – book early as they’re very popular
- Duration: About 70 minutes
- Access: JR Kyoto Line to Yamazaki Station (no parking available), about 15 minutes from Kyoto/Osaka
- Language: Guided tours with audio support available
- Official Home Page: Santory Yamazaki Distillery
Practical Details : Hakushu Distillery (Hokuto, Yamanashi):
- Hours: Varies, closed Wednesdays
- Cost: Check official website; tours are free but tastings cost extra
- Reservation: Required – book early as they’re very popular
- Duration: About 70 minutes
- Access: Shuttle service from Kobuchizawa Station (parking available), about 2 hours from Tokyo
- Language: Guided tours with audio support available
- Official Home Page: Santory Hakushu Distillery
Bonus: Both locations offer gift shops and the chance to taste some of the world’s most acclaimed whisky
You’ll discover why Japanese whisky has become so coveted worldwide while enjoying the scenic mountain settings that provide the pure water essential for whisky making.
Toyota Kaikan Museum & Factory Tour (Toyota City, Aichi)
About the Company: Toyota is the world’s leading car manufacturer and pioneer of the famous Toyota Production System that revolutionized manufacturing worldwide.
Toyota Kaikan Museum exhibits Toyota products, technologies, and services built to help achieve a sustainable future ‘mobility society’ and the latest Toyota and Lexus models.
The museum features exhibits such as a factory welding robot and a driving safety simulator. You can witness the latest technologies. Free of charge.
Practical Details:
- Hours: 9:30～17:00
- Cost: Free
- Reservation: No reservation needed. Self-guided tour
- Duration: 1-1.5 hours
- Access: 20-minute walk from Mikawa-Toyota Station on the Aichi Kanjo Line, about 1.5 hours from Nagoya. For more access options , check official website.
- Language: English available
- Bonus: Gift shop with Toyota merchandise
- Official Home Page: TOYOTA KAIKAN MUSEUM
You’ll witness the precision and efficiency that made Toyota a global leader, seeing the famous “just-in-time” production system in action. Book far in advance if you need a guided tour, especially in English.
Toyota Enthusiasts Take Note:
If you’re a serious Toyota fan, Aichi Prefecture is your paradise! Besides Toyota Kaikan Museum, there are 4 additional Toyota-related museums in the region, making it possible to create an entire Toyota-focused itinerary during your visit to the area.
- Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology (Nagoya) : Learn how Toyota evolved from textile machines to automobiles.
- Toyota Automobile Museum (Nagakute): A large car museum with vehicles from Japan, Europe, and the US.
- Sakichi Totoda Memorial House (Kosai): The preserved home of Sakichi Toyoda (豊田佐吉), founder of the Toyota Group and inventor of the automatic loom.
Toyota Kuragaike Commemorative Hall： A peaceful facility honoring the company’s approach to nature, environment, and community.
All five locations are in Aichi Prefecture and accessible via public transportation or car from Nagoya. It’s a great itinerary for tech fans or repeat travelers looking for something different.
Asahi Breweries (Osaka)
About the Company: Asahi is one of Japan’s most popular beer brands, known internationally for its crisp, clean taste.
This popular beer factory offers guided tours with tastings that showcase how Japanese precision applies to brewing. You’ll get to enjoy fresh beer straight from the source while learning about Asahi’s brewing process. Booking can be competitive, so plan ahead.
Practical Details:
- Hours: Check Asahi website for current hours
- Cost: ¥2,000 (includes beer tasting)
- Reservation: Required
- Duration: 60-90 minutes
- Access: Various locations (check specific brewery), such as JR Suita for some locations
- Language: Guided tours in Japanese, but audio guide apps available
- Bonus: Beer tastings and gift shop
- Official Home Page : Asahi Breweries
The experience combines education about Japanese brewing techniques with the enjoyment of freshly brewed beer in a modern facility.
Mazda Museum (Hiroshima)
About the Company: Mazda is known worldwide for its stylish cars and innovative rotary engine technology.
Ideal for car enthusiasts, this tour lets you see the actual production line where Mazda vehicles come together. The guided tours provide fascinating insights into how Japanese attention to detail translates into automotive excellence.
Practical Details:
- Hours: Check official website (varies), closed weekends and holidays
- Cost: Free admission
- Reservation: Required, book in advance
- Duration: About 90 minutes
- Access: JR Sanyo Main Line to Mukainada Station, about 15 minutes from Hiroshima
- Language: Guided tours available (English tours available)
- Bonus: Gift shop with Mazda merchandise
- Official Home page : MAZDA Museum
Factory Tour Comparison Table
| Factory | Location | Fee | Tasting | Booking | English Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CupNoodles Museum | Yokohama/Osaka | ¥500 | No | Required | Yes (signage) |
| Asahi Breweries | Osaka | Free | Yes | Required | Audio guide |
| Kikkoman Museum | Chiba | Free | Yes | Required | Limited |
| Toyota Museum | Aichi | Free | No | Self-guided ok | Smartphone guide |
| Suntory | Osaka/Yamanashi | Free + tasting | Yes | Required | Some English |
| Mazda Museum | Hiroshima | Free | No | Required | Limited |
| Yamaha Plaza | Shizuoka | Free | No | Required for groups | Self-guided |
| Suzuki Plaza | Shizuoka | Free | No | Required | Limited |
Essential Tips for Factory Tour Visitors
Book Early: Factory tours often fill up weeks in advance, especially popular ones like distilleries and car manufacturers. Check websites and make reservations as soon as you plan your trip.
Use Public Transport: Most factories are conveniently located near train stations or offer shuttle services. This makes them easily accessible without renting a car.
English Support Varies: While some tours offer full English support, others rely on visual experiences. Check websites carefully or download translation apps. Don’t let language barriers stop you—many experiences are visual enough to be enjoyable regardless.
Perfect for Everyone: These tours work great for families with kids, solo travelers seeking unique experiences, or repeat visitors to Japan looking for something different from temples and shrines.
Combine with Regional Travel: Many of these factories are located outside major cities, making them perfect additions to regional itineraries. You can easily combine a factory tour with other local attractions.
Final Thoughts
Factory tours in Japan offer a special way to explore the country through the lens of craftsmanship, culture, and innovation. Whether you’re a foodie, a car lover, or just curious about how things are made, these tours give you a behind-the-scenes look at Japan’s most iconic brands.
👉 If you’re interested in factory tours beyond Japan, I also wrote a guide to Factory Tours USA: 4 Best Weekend Itineraries for Curious Travelers — perfect if you’re based in the U.S. or love unique travel experiences around the world.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve visited any of these spots — in Japan or the U.S.!
