Factory / Workshop Spots in Japan

Area

Japan
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
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  Mie
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  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Travel / Tourism

Factory / Workshop

Sapporo Beer Museum

4.0

1239 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Sapporoshi Higashi-ku Kitashichijouhigashi 9-1-1

Sapporo Beer Museum, located to the east of Sapporo Station, is the only museum in Japan where you can learn about the history of Japanese beer. Admission to the museum is free, but the paid tour (about 50 minutes) is recommended if you have the time. You can learn about the history of Sapporo Beer with the powerful 6K wide-screen theater and easy-to-understand guide. Also you can only sample the “Fukkokuban Sapporo-sei Bakushu” (Reproduced Sapporo Beer) that recreates the flavor at the time of Sapporo Beer's establishment as well as the iconic Black Label Sapporo Beer on the paid tour. Reservations through the website are required.

I am a big beer guy but find Sapporo beer is just alright. Either way, I still love visiting old breweries and touring them. Unfortunately now, only the free tour is available. I felt the free tour...
Suntory Hakushu Distillery and Suntory Natural Mineral Water Minami Alps Hakushu Plant

4.5

363 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamanashi Hokuto-shi Hakushucho Torihara 2913-1

"This malt whiskey distillery, also known as the ""Forest Distillery"", is located in the foothills of the Southern Alps approximately 20 minutes by car from Kobuchizawa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway. On the grounds is the ""Whiskey Museum"" where visitors can learn about the history of the birth of the single malt whiskey ""Hakushu"", and the worldwide culture of whiskey. There is also a shop that offers goods limited to the distillery, as well as restaurants and bars featuring seasonal dishes made from local produce. There is no charge for admission but reservations (at least one day in advance) are required. A factory tour (including tasting) is also available (fees apply)."

I love whisky distilleries and this one did not disappoint (except for one thing, to be mentioned below). The location was breathtaking, in the Japanese Southern Alps, and the tour was fantastic...
Kirin Yokohama Beer Village

4.5

307 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kanagawa Pref. Yokohamashi Tsurumi-ku Namamugi 1-17-1

This Kirin beer factory is located in Yokohama, the birthplace of the Japanese beer industry. Of all the Kirin beer factories in Japan, this one boasts the longest history. The factory's 80-minute tour is popular. Tour goers get to learn about the careful production process involved in Kirin Ichiban Shibori beer and the secrets behind its delicious flavor, as well as sample malt, taste and compare first press and second press beer wort, and enjoy other unique beer factory experiences. There's also a tour which explores the factory's vast biotope, and a factory tour during which participants can have fun answering quiz questions, making this an enjoyable destination for families as well.

Come and see how beer is made. Then spend 15 minutes running back and forth to the free bar for a variety of incredible beer!
Kamaei (factory direct shop)

4.0

430 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Otarushi Sakaimachi 3-7

Kamaei is a long-standing kamaboko seasoned fish paste company founded in 1905. In addition to conventional kamaboko served on a wooden plank, Kamaei offers a wide variety of kamaboko products, including Shiokaze kamaboko formed by steaming it in a plastic film to shape it; kamaboko steamed with crab and other seafood on top; and Noshi Kamaboko, a terrine-like dish made by combining layers of kamaboko. The Kamaei plant offers factory tours as well as selling kamaboko direct to customers. There's also a cafe space where you can enjoy fresh-cooked kamaboko and unusual kamaboko dishes served no place else.

Big range of fish cakes from sweet, spicy and savoury. And it stayed fresh overnight too as we bought some to eat in our hotel room the next day and it was still delicious. There is also a souvenir...
Suntory Musashino Beer Brewery

4.5

174 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tokyo Fuchushi Yazakichou 3-1

This is ’SUNTORY’s first beer plant which opened in 1963, located in Yazaki-cho, Fuchu City, Tokyo. The name was changed to “SUNTORY ‘Natural Water Beer Plant’ Tokyo/Musashino Brewery” from March 14, 2017. It is this plant that produced many prestigious beers including The Premium Malts. The plant offers tours free of charge where you can learn from a guide the flow of beer manufacture from the raw materials, preparation process, to maturation and storage. Reservations are required for the tour which includes tasting.

ツアーに参加して、ビールの製造工程を見学した。予約をしていなくても空きがあったので参加することができた。所要時間は70分だった。ダイヤモンド麦芽を試食して美味しかった。工場はパンのようなにおいがしていた。缶詰・箱詰めの工程が面白かった。最後の２０分間は試飲の時間だった。 3種類のビールを堪能した。 Participated in the tour and observed the...
Asahi Beer Hakata Brewery

4.0

181 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukuoka Fukuoka-shi Hakata-ku Takeshita 3-1-1

A brewery in Takeshita 3-Chome, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. At the brewery they produce Asahi Super Dry and other beers and tours are available on a reservation basis. The tour will teach you about the beer manufacturing process and after the tour you can sample fresh draught beer. The brewery also features a gift shop and attached to the brewery you'll find the Asahi Beer Garden Hakata where you can enjoy Genghis Khan mutton barbeque with fresh beer straight from the brewery.

this is only a brief tour of about an hour. but you get to see the most amazing computerised assembly of beer. We saw the cans being filled and packed. and even better you then get taken to the...
Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery

4.5

165 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Chuou-ku Kagamigaoka 1-1

This well-established brewery was founded in 1764. It is located east of Niigata Station, along National Route 2, and is said to have been built on the site of a rice granary once owned by the Shibata clan. The current building was built at the end of the 19th century. The brewery is open to visitors all days of the week, and reservations are only necessary for groups of more than seven people. Tools used in the past to make sake are displayed here, and visitors can taste over ten kinds of pure rice wine. Thanks to the detailed explanations of the workers, even the most inexperienced can enjoy tasting the differences between the various types of sake. The brewery also offers non-alcoholic amazake for non-drinkers.

This is a very fun thing to do while in Niigata! The 30+ minute tour is free, and if you connect with the brewery on Line, you get a free limited tasting after the tour. The advanced tasting costs...
Kanefuku Mentai Park Tokoname

3.5

142 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Aichi Pref. Tokonameshi Rinkuchou 1-25-4

A mentaiko (Pollock roe) theme park operated by Kanefuku, a veteran company in the Mentaiko industry. The building’s exterior, topped with a giant smiling mentaiko, creates quite an impression. Inside, visitors, can view how mentaiko is made. The facility also sells mentaiko products direct from Kanefuku offered no place else. In the food corner, you can enjoy extra big mentaiko onigiri rice balls and mentaiko soft serve ice cream. There’s also a museum where you can learn about the history of mentaiko and how it is made. From children to adults, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Kanefuku Mentai Park.

i went there in sept 2017 during weekday afternoon. You have to pay money if you want to particpate the mentaiko tour. I did not join the tour because I missed the timming. There is serveral...
Chateraise Hakushu Plant

4.0

190 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamanashi Pref. Hokutoshi Hakushuchoushirasu Ohara 8383-1

Chateraise Hakushu Plant is a confectionery maker in the famous water forest at the foot of the Southern Alps (Akaishi Mountains). Ingredients are brought in directly from mainly local contracted farmers. The plant focuses on producing safe products using as few additives as possible for better health. And with regards to product research on limiting sugars they published a paper at the 55th Japan Diabetes Society. They have a range of reduced sugar and allergy-free confectionery products.

As previous reviews said. You need a booking - ask your Japanese speaking friends to make it, no English spoken or written, this is more of a free tasting rather than a tour. If you dont know the...
Fuji TV Headquarters Building

Travel / Tourism

Tokyo Minato-ku Daiba 2-4-8

From this 100-meter high spherical observation tower, Hachitama, one can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the coastal area. Other limited time events are also hosted here. At the Fuji Television Gallery, on the fifth floor, one can tour and take photos of the replicated sets of aired programs and the wardrobes of various dramas. ※ The ongoing events calendar can be viewed on their website, https://www.fujitv.co.jp/gotofujitv/ . Located here is the only shop in Japan where one can purchase original Sazae-san program character goods.
Kirin Fuji Gotenba Distillery

4.0

65 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shizuoka Pref. Gotembashi Shibanta 970

This distillery in Gotemba City offers three tours where visitors can learn the secrets behind Kirin's great-tasting FUJI SANROKU TARU-JUKU GENSHU 50° whisky. Its other attractions include a number of limited-time-only events, summer tours for schoolchildren, and more.

The tour company took us on an unexpected, surprise visit to a distillery. Really, this is where I want to take my 12-year-old. In the spirit of learning about how things are made we watched the...
Suntory Kyoto Brewery (Natural Water Beer Plant)

4.5

119 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Nagaokakyoushi Choushi 3-1-1

This Suntory beer factory in Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture holds free guided tours of the production process for its “The Premium Malts” beer. Places on the tour must be reserved in advance and each tour takes 70 to 90 minutes. After learning about how beer ingredients are chosen, one can look at the preparation pots up close and then learn about the real production process. After the tour there are three types of beer or soft drinks to try. In the shop they sell beer direct from the factory, original goods and limited-offer beer snacks.

Great tour to understand how Suntory beer is made and you get to have audio guides as the tour is in Japanese. Reservations required. The tour ends with free beer tasting of the many variety they...
Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkogura

4.0

105 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Otarushi Nobukachou 2-2

Located only a 5-minute walk from the JR Minami Otaru Station, this is only sake brewery in Otaru. It proudly makes the Japanese sake brand, Takaragawa, Otaru Bijin liqueur, and Maho-no-Itteki hon-mirin, a sweet rice wine for cooking. Its stone masonry warehouse, built around 1905 is designated as one of Otaru's historic building. At the store, one can enjoy free sake-tastings of sake shipped direct from the brewery, Shiboritate fresh bottled sake without pasteurization, and approximately 10 other varieties of seasonal sakes. Brewery tours where one can observe the production process are offered for free all year round. *Reservations needed for groups over 10.

Unfortunately no English tours but theyre happy to provide tastings. I enjoyed it. The best sake Ive had. hint:look on the backside of shelf labels for English info.
Yamasa Choshi Factory (Tour Center)

4.0

87 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Chiba Pref. Choushishi Kitaogawachou 2570

This tour center services the Yamasa Choshi soy sauce factory. With a reservation, you can learn about the history of Yamasa soy sauce and check out the manufacturing process. They have videos, guided commentary, virtual learning opportunities, and displays with samples of koji starter and moromi soy sauce mash. Their Soy Sauce Tasting Hall has an exhibit of soy sauce making equipment and lets visitors try hand-toasted rice crackers and soy sauce soft serve ice cream. Reservations aren't required at the tasting hall.

Sad that they do not have the movies in English. They explained all about soy sauce making and they even presented every one with a bag of their soy sauce. They have a corner with soy sauce flavored...
Morioka Handi-Works Square

4.0

95 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Tsunagi Oirino 64-102

This facility is home to first-rate artisan groups who craft authentic handiworks every day. It consists of the industry revival center, the handi-works square, and the “magariya” zone. The handi-works square offers visitors a chance to craft various Morioka specialty products and hosts events as well, giving people a chance to observe artisans up close and try their hand at making their own items. The local cultural site “Nanbu Magariya” is a must-see as well. It’s about 20 minutes by car from the Morioka Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway.

We visited here on our way back from a local Onsen and it was very interesting. You can see how local cast iron teapots are made, make your own Japanese cookie and purchase handicrafts.
Cave d'Occi Winery

4.0

93 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Nishikan-ku Kakudahama 1661

This is a winery located along the hilly coastal area in Nishikan Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. In the vast vineyard there are various kinds of facilities such as a wine shop, a wine cellar, a restaurant, a bakery, a day-trip hot spring facility, an accommodation facility and an English garden. Wine is made from grapes grown in a climate where there is almost no snowfall and has low rainfall, where high heat is accumulated after the rainy-season, unique to the region. Wine tours, reservations required, are also held.

We were told about Cave D’occi Winery by Ms Yukari from Rankeisou that this was a good place for lunch on a chilly day. We had a wonderful lunch, soup, fresh bread and salad finished off with ice...
Coco Farm & Winery

4.0

81 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Ashikagashi Tajimachou 611

This winery is located in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, complete with a vineyard, a brewery, a wine shop and restaurant. The winery got its start in 1958 when a middle school teacher and his students started a grape farm in the forest. Currently, it brews high-quality wine that has even been used at dinners for major summits. You can buy some wine at the shop, or try lunch with wine while looking out over the vineyard.

Lovely range of wines and reasonable prices and other products such as local cheeses and hams. I only stopped there for an hour or so to pick a few bottles of Japanese wine as I was passing through...
Ebi Senbei no Sato Mihama Main Shop

4.5

57 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Aichi Pref. Chitagunmihamachou Kitagata Kittanagare 52-1

A direct sale shop for ebi senbei shrimp crackers which is also a popular tourist destination. From a large window in the factory tour area, you can watch as senbei are inspected and bagged. The sales corner is filled with some 40 different products, and you can also try some of them for free. The rest corner serves free tea and coffee. You can also buy squid fried in wine here. In the rest corner, there’s an area where you can try frying your own ebi senbei. The adjoining museum presents the history of ebi senbei.

It was an unplanned visit but we had great fun trying out the different types prawn crackers and ended up buying heaps of them. Very crispy, light and not salty at all. Great snack for all in the...
Kobe Shu-Shin-Kan Brewery

4.0

52 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Higashinada-ku Mikagetsukamachi 1-8-17

"You can reach this brewery in Koby City, Hyogo Prefecture, by taking the Hanshin Electric Railway to Ishiyagawa Station and walking about eight minutes south. They sell their Fukuju brand of Japanese sake with its fruity bouquet, manufactured under the creed of clarity, honesty, and purity. They also offer sake-based brews like plum wine and yuzu citron wine. Their famous Fukuju Junmai Ginjo sake has been served at the banquet for the Nobel Prize award ceremony, earning it the nickname ""Sake of the Nobel Prize."" Warehouse tours come in multiple languages and programs, and include video, warehouse inspections, sake tasting, and more. Their on-site hall and restaurant are available for weddings and concerts."

Self-tour is possible, just need to get the Hanshin Tourist Pass (500yen) for unlimited Hanshin train ride and you will be able to explore all sake breweries around the area. Cheap and convenient...
Suntory Tomi no Oka Winery

4.0

76 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamanashi Pref. Kaishi Onuta 2786

Suntory Tominooka Winery is located in KaiCity, Yamanashi Prefecture, and it handles all phases of wine production, from preparing the soil to cultivating the grapes to vinifying and bottling. Panels and videos have been set up to provide simple explanations of the processes that occur throughout the year. A tour of the plant and the vineyards is available for a fee, and afterwards, participants can enjoy a wine-tasting session.

Very boring especially if you are visiting on weekend. No factory tour nor free wine tasting are available. Besides only beverage they have for people who do not/ cannot drink is ordinal grape juice...