Let's go to the factory tour!!
Let's visit factories where you will be able to experience "Real Work"!
In Japan, "Factory tour" is very popular now. In there, you will watch the process of manufacturing, enjoy tasting or drinking and sometimes be offered some souvenirs! In other words, it is the chance to see with your eyes "Japanese industry" through the tours.
Here, we would like to introduce the most popular factory tours in Japan.
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology / Nagoya (Aichi prefecture)
Do you know Toyota has actually established as loom factory? This museum, you will study Toyota's history (as you know, Toyota is one of the biggest company Japan is proud of) and also participate some entertainments which are available not only kids but also adults. You can study about the history of cars and looms.
[Basic information]
Hours : From 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (The entrance will open till 4:30 p.m.)
Closed : Monday (If it is bank holiday, it will be closed on the following Tuesday) and from the end of year to begin of new year.
Admission fee : Adults 500yen / High school, junior high school students 300yen / Elementary school student 200yen
How to attend : It is available without reservation. Please visit the museum directly.
Access : Approx. 3 minutes on foot from Sako Station (Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line) / Approx. 10 minutes on foot from Kamejima Station (Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line) / Approx. 5 minutes by taxi form Nagoya station
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NIKKA WHISKY YOICHI Distillery / Yoichi (Hokkaido prefecture)
The process of making whiskey is explained in this factory. There both free and charged tasting places and you can enjoy whiskey and brandy in there. At the charged tasting place, you will find bartenders and can select the limited whiskey and brandy only Yoichi. There are also limited souvenirs sold only here at the shop.
[Basic information]
Hours : From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed : From December 25 to January 7
Admission fee : Free
How to attend :
1. Free brewer tour : You can freely walk around the factory checking the map anytime. After that, you will be able to taste some whiskey and brandy.
2. Brewer tour with a guide (required a reservation) : The guide will take you to the tour explain the factory's facilities and process.
[Tour timetable] 9:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m. / 1:00p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
[Duration] Factory tour for 50 minutes + Tasting for 20 minutes (The shopping time will be belonging your free time.)
Access : Approx. 2 - 3 minutes on foot from Yoichi Station (JR Hakodate Main Line)
* From JR Otaru Station to JR Yoichi Station : Approximately 30 minutes
* Please be noted that there are not many trains from Otaru to Yoichi.
* There are buses from Otaru-ekmae bus terminal to Yoichi every 10 or 20 minutes. (Approximately 35 minutes)
Otaru or Sapporo is highly recommended for staying.
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SUNTORY HAKUSHU distillery / Hakushu (Yamanashi prefecture)
This brewer factory is surrounded by woods and very beautiful. You will be able to watch the brewed pot and unblended whisky barre. Also free tasting will be offered. There are free shuttle buses between JR Chuo line Kobuchizawa station and SUNTORY HAKUSHU distillery.
[Basic information]
Hours : From 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Whiskey guide tour : From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. * Please contact us in advance if you would like to join it.)
Closed : From the end of year to begin of new year / Extra holidays
Admission fee : Free
How to attend : Please make your reservation in advance. / Tel. +81-551-35-2211 (9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Access : Approx. 10 minutes by taxi from Kobuchizawa Station (JR Chuo Main Line) / There are free shuttle buses between JR Chuo line Kobuchizawa station and SUNTORY HAKUSHU distillery. (The bus stop is just right of the station exit.) * Here is the timetable.
Kofu is highly recommended for staying.
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THE RAILWAY MUSEUM / Omiya (Saitama prefecture)
This museum introduces the real carriages with legacies and information behind. The people who are interested in trains will be definitely excited to have experience and learning through this exhibition. Especially, the irreconcilable diorama is recommended in here.[Basic information]
Hours : From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (The entrance is open till 5:30 p.m.)
Closed : Tuesday, From the end of year to New Year period
Admission fee : Adult 1,000yen / elementary, junior high school and high school students 500yen / From 3 years old to 6 years old 200yen
How to attend : Once you purchase the ticket by machine, we will provide you IC card to enter. (If you have Suica or other JR IC cards, you will be able to enter there using your card.)
Access : Please take The New shuttle bus from JR Omiya station then get off "Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station", 1 minutes walk from there.
[The access from major stations to Omiya station]
Shinjuku Station - (JR Saikyo Line (rapid) : Applox. 34 minutes) - Omiya Station
Ikebukuro Station - (JR Saikyo Line (rapid) : Applox. 29 minutes) - Omiya Station
Shibuya Station - (JR Saikyo Line (rapid) : Applox. 37 minutes) - Omiya Station
Shinjuku is highly recommended for staying.
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JAL SKY MUSEUM / Near Haneda airport (Tokyo)
This museum is located near Haneda Airport. You will be able to learn their history, works and people who work in there through factory tour and also have the chance to watch the real airplanes closely. Also you can see the uniform of pilots and cabin attendants and kids must be excited with everything!
[Basic information]
Hours : 10:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.n. / 11:30 a.m. - 1:10 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. / 2:30 p.m. - 4:10 p.m. (4 tours everyday)
Closed : December 25, 2015 - January 4, 2016
Admission fee : Free
How to attend : Reservation is available 6 months before (Required reservations to join the tour)
About the tour : Exhibition + lecture of aviation + watching the hangar (100 minutes in total)
Access : 2 minutes walk from "Sinseibijou" station Tokyo monorail (Only local trains stop this station.)
* It is right in front of Haneda Airport Terminal 1 building.
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Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum / Osaka
The first instant Ramen noddle "Chikin-Ramen" has been born in Ikeda city, Osaka and this museum is located in this special place. It was expanded almost twice bigger than before in 2004. You will be able to learn all about instant Ramen noodle. What is more, there is the factory where you will be able to make your original instant noodle by selecting the topping you like at "My cup noodle factory" and it is possible to take it as souvenirs.[Basic information]
Hours : 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (The entrance is open till 3:30 p.m.)
Closed : Tuesday (If it is bank holiday, it will be the following day), From the end of year to New Year period
Admission fee : Free
Access : 5 minutes walk from Masumi exit of "Ikeda station" Hankyu Takarazuka Main Line. (It takes approx. 20 minutes (express train) from Hankyu Umeda station)
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