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10 Japanese Food Factory Tours In and Around Tokyo

Solo Or With Family, See How Food Is Made At These Factory Tours!

By Elizabeth Sok |
August 8, 2024 |
Families, Food & Drink, Out & About

Looking for a fun, tasty and educational activity for the whole family? Try these Japanese food factory tours, which are mostly all free to enter in and around Tokyo!

Japan is home to plenty of attractions fit for immersing yourself in all things uniquely Japanese. Whether you’re into Studio Ghibli’s world-famous films or are curious to learn about the life cycle of parasites, Japan has you covered with museums galore. Why not combine these fun-filled attractions and your love of Japanese food? Luckily, there are several Japanese food factory tours in and around the Tokyo area that people of all ages can enjoy.

While the foods and specific experiences offered vary from factory to factory, they all share the same thing: a celebration of Japanese food through hands-on activities. So, prepare your appetites for a factory tour you’re not likely to forget anytime soon.

Ajinomoto Kawasaki Factory Tour
Kewpie’s Open Kitchen & Mayo Terrace
Kiyoken Yokohama Factory Tour
Glico Factory Tour
Chiba Yakult Factory Tour
Lotte Factory Tour
Ogino Bread Factory Tour
Akagi Factory Tour
Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Tama Factory Tour
Cup Noodles Museum

Ajinomoto Kawasaki Factory Tour

Ajinomoto’s Kawasaki Factory Tour has much to offer the whole family. Do you have kids who are big fans of Japan’s ubiquitous corn soup? Are you curious how the brand’s dashi (fish stock) is made? This Japanese food factory has multiple tours and “courses” where you can learn about the company’s many products through games, videos, quizzes and a peek at the factory’s stages at work. Don’t leave without sampling the foods themselves and stopping by the amusing photo spot to remember your time here!

Address: 1-1 Suzuki-machi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa
Admission: Free! (Note: Children must be two years or older to enter.)
Nearest station: JR Kawasaki

Kewpie’s Open Kitchen & Mayo Terrace

Learn all about Japan’s first domestic mayonnaise brand, Kewpie, in the Ibaraki prefecture plant’s Factory Tour and Chofu City’s Mayo Terrace! If you can’t make it to either of these facilities in person, you can also register for an online tour. The Japanese mayonnaise food factory tours began in 1961 and are called Open Kitchen. Besides viewing the making of mayonnaise, you can also visit their Mayo Terrace, a tour and entertainment facility dedicated to learning about the condiment with games and activities for all ages.

Mayo Terrace

Address: Sengawa Kiew Port, 2-5-7 Senkawa-cho, Chofu City, Tokyo
Admission: Free!
Nearest station: Sengawa (Keio Line)

Open Kitchen

Address: 1800 Kotesashi, Gokamachi, Sashima-gun, Ibaraki
Admission: Free!
Nearest station: Minami-Kuribashi (Tobu-Nikko Line)

Kiyoken Yokohama Factory Tour

Founded in 1908 in Yokohama, Kiyoken is a long-running food producer best known for its Chinese cuisine. Its most popular products include a wide assortment of shumai (Chinese dumplings), mooncakes and nikuman (pork buns). At the Kiyoken Yokohama Factory tour, you will get an in-depth look at the manufacturing processes of its shumai and bento boxes. From the observation deck, you watch as the shumai are freshly made and enjoy a free tasting of the delicious dumplings as well.

Address: 675-1 Kawamukocho, Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Admission: Free! (Note: All visitors must be 15 years or older and advanced reservations are required.)
Nearest station: Kotsuke (JR Yokohama Line)

Glico Factory Tour

The confectionery maker Glico’s factory tour is full of fun for the whole family, from young children to adults. From an informative movie and watching the production lines to unique experiences, such as a special “Clean Room” where an air dryer cleans you of dust and other particles by blowing you around, you will be entertained and informed by the facilities here. In addition, you can also sample products and, for an extra fee, make ice cream in the Glico Kitchen!

Address: 10 Bansho, Noda-shi, Chiba
Admission: Free!
Nearest station: Shimizu Koen (Tobu Noda Line)

Chiba Yakult Factory Tour

At Chiba Prefecture’s Yakult Factory, take a peek at how the popular drinks are made. After reserving online for spots between Monday and Saturday, check out the production line of Yakult 1000 and Yakult Half Calorie. For young children, there are also lots of fun and interactive exhibits that explain the history and contents of Yakult drinks. Don’t miss the chance to take a commemorative photo too! You can also sample the factory’s products and receive an omiyage (souvenir) at the end of your visit.

Address: 166 Wada, Yotsukaido, Chiba
Admission: Free!
Nearest station: Yotsukaido (JR Sobu Main Line)

Lotte Factory Tour

As one of Japan’s iconic chocolate brands, Lotte provides an interactive factory experience. For part of the tour, you will attend the “Lotte Okashi (confectionary) School” and choose between learning about their best-selling Ghana chocolate bar or chocolate pie. After that, you can select your “course,” view the actual production lines and see how the sweets are made. Following your tour, you receive a gift bag filled with their brand goods!

Address: 3-1-1 Numakage, Minami-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama
Admission: Free!
Nearest station: Musashiurawa (JR Saikyo Line)

Ogino Bread Factory Tour

At Ogino Bread Factory, you are free to explore the many stages of factory production at your own pace. Following signs explaining each step of the process (Japanese language only), you are uniquely able to view each machine at work making a loaf. At this head factory, over 20,000 breads are made a day! In addition, for an extra fee this summer, join a bread-making workshop. There is an adults-only course and an easy course, which is also open to children interested in baking bread.

Address: 2841 Nagatake, Midori-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa
Admission: Free!
Nearest station: Hashimoto (Yokohama Line)

Akagi Factory Tour

Akagi is the maker of GariGarikun, one of Japan’s most popular popsicle-shaved ice brands. You can easily recognize the brand by the large-mouthed monkey on its frozen treats. The company’s factory tour offers a chance to see the production of their summertime sweets. Additionally, you can learn the company’s history and play games related to the products. Perhaps the biggest draw of this facility is that all participants get a free all-you-can-eat ice cream tasting! The tours are also extremely popular during the summer, so keep in mind that you will need to enter a lottery for a ticket.

Address: 850-10 Kodama, Kodama-cho, Honjo City, Saitama
Admission: Free! (Note: Advanced reservations required.)
Nearest station: Kodama (Hachiko Line)

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Tama Factory Tour

Immerse yourself in the history and making of their long-iconic soft drinks at the Coca-Cola Factory Tour! First, there will be a movie screening, which will be followed by a tour of the factory itself. Afterward, you can explore their small museum and get up close with activities and experiences. Although you can photograph the museum, you can’t take pictures of the factory lines. This informative tour is perhaps best enjoyed by elementary-age kids and above, but it is open to all!

Address: 1-2-9 Nobidome, Higashikurume, Tokyo
Admission: Free!
Nearest station: Kiyose or Higashikurume (Seibu Ikebukuro Line)

Cup Noodles Museum

You won’t be able to see the factory line at the Cup Noodle Museum in Yokohama, but you can participate in making the global favorite noodles yourself. Elementary kids and older can make their own chicken ramen using the founder’s original method or “my cup noodle,” guided by museum professionals. They can also learn about the creative process of invention and the history of cup noodles. Meanwhile, for younger kids, the indoor park and noodles bazaar offers lots of entertainment and tasty food options!