Free Factory Tours: A Guide to the Best Factory Visits Accessible from Tokyo, in the Surrounding Suburbs & the Chubu Region | Fun for All Ages!

At Kanefuku Mentai Park Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, you can tour the mentaiko manufacturing factory. On busy days, the factory carefully processes as much as five tons of mentaiko per day. You can sample the mentaiko that was freshly made at the factory that day and purchase it as a souvenir. There is also a gallery that explains the Alaska pollock that is the raw material for mentaiko and the history of how it is made, as well as a kids' corner, so the whole family can enjoy it. It's a great opportunity to learn how this rice accompaniment that has been loved by Japanese people for many years is made.

Website： https://mentai-park.com/ooarai/

At the Unagi Pie Factory in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, you can tour the factory that produces Hamamatsu's famous confectionery, Unagi Pie. To help visitors discover the secrets of Unagi Pie, there are tours where you can see artisans demonstrate how to bake the pie by hand, and taste freshly baked Unagi Pie, which can only be tasted at the factory. There is also a gallery where you can learn about the history of Unagi Pie, and you can also purchase souvenirs that can only be found at a direct sales store. Don't miss the cafe area, where you can try limited edition sweets made with Unagi Pie and a drink menu made with Shizuoka tea, a local specialty.

Website： https://www.unagipai-factory.jp/

Kikyo Shingen Mochi is a famous Yamanashi confectionery made of mochi covered in soybean flour and drizzled with brown sugar syrup. At the Kikyo Shingen Mochi Factory Theme Park, you can observe the entire manufacturing process, and the craftsmanship behind the unique wrapping, which resembles a furoshiki wrapping cloth, is a must-see. At the outlet shop attached to the facility, you can fill up your bag with as much Kikyo Shingen Mochi as you like, which is a very popular event, especially among enthusiastic fans.

Website： https://themepark.kikyouya.co.jp/

At Kakukyu Hatcho Miso no Sato in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, you can tour the Hatcho Miso warehouse, which continues to preserve traditional manufacturing methods. You can learn about the miso-making process in a space that feels historic, with wooden barrels and stone weights that have remained unchanged since the store's founding. There is also a restaurant and shop where you can enjoy Hatcho Miso dishes and desserts. It is also close to Okazaki Castle, so it is recommended to combine a visit with sightseeing.

Website： https://www.kakukyu.jp/global/english.asp

Konnyaku Park in Gunma Prefecture is a facility where you can fully experience the charms of konnyaku, a traditional Japanese food ingredient. In addition to being able to tour the konnyaku and shirataki production lines for free, the handmade konnyaku experience (reservation required, fee applies) is also popular. You can also enjoy a Buffet where you can sample an amazing variety of konnyaku dishes for free, from the classic dengaku and simmered dishes to ramen and desserts. Don't miss the all-you-can-eat konnyaku and jelly event and the souvenir corner with a wide variety of konnyaku products.

Website： https://www.konnyaku-park.com/

The JAL SKY MUSEUM, located next to Haneda Airport, is a must-see facility for airplane enthusiasts. The exhibition area is packed with content that both adults and children can enjoy, such as uniforms from past eras and aircraft models. There is also a mock-up of a cockpit that was actually used as a flight simulator, so you can sit in the seat and get a taste of what it's like to be a pilot, and in the job introduction area you can learn about the work of flight attendants and various ground staff. A tour of the hangar, where you can see the planes up close, is also very impressive.

Website： https://www.jal.com/ja/kengaku/en/

Explore the world of Japanese manufacturing with our guide to free factory tours in the Kanto and Chubu areas, all easy to reach from Tokyo. Seeing how familiar foods and products are made is an exciting and eye-opening experience for both adults and children. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at production lines and learn about the technology and history of Japanese craftsmanship. Add a factory tour to your Japan travel plans for a fun and memorable experience.