Factory Tour Experiences: 5 Free Attractions in Tokyo

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
 
Tokyo is the top travel destination for Taiwanese tourists, but if you want to have fun in the expensive city without breaking the bank, free factory tours are the way to go. Japan has many well-known companies that operate visitor-friendly factories or memorial halls, allowing guests to learn about the history and culture behind their products. Not only can you peek into the manufacturing processes, but many tours also end with tastings or cute souvenirs—combining education and entertainment. Here are five free factory tours located in Tokyo that you can add to your itinerary right away.
 
1. ANA Aircraft Maintenance Factory

As one of Japan’s two major airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA) operates the “ANA Aircraft Maintenance Factory” near Haneda Airport. The site offers four guided tour sessions every weekday, where visitors can observe the maintenance and repair processes of large and mid-sized planes such as Boeing 747s and Boeing 767s. After the tour, you’ll receive a lovely souvenir from ANA.
 
[Info]
ANA Aircraft Maintenance Factory
Access: 15-minute walk from Shin-Minamihara Station on the Tokyo Monorail
Hours: Weekdays 10:00–11:30, 13:00–14:30, 14:00–15:30, 15:00–16:30
 
2. Kewpie Mayonnaise Factory

The newly opened Kewpie Mayonnaise Factory in 2014 is just a 17-minute drive from Shinjuku. In the spacious exhibition hall, you can learn all about the mayonnaise-making process, and there’s also a hands-on mayonnaise experimental kitchen where you can make and eat your own mayo—a big hit with visitors. Reservations open two months in advance at 9:30 AM daily (10:30 AM Taiwan time).
 
[Info]
Kewpie Mayonnaise Factory
Access: Take the Keio Line (Rapid) from Shinjuku Station, get off at Sendagaya Station, and walk about 7 minutes
Hours: Weekdays 10:00, 11:50, 13:40, 15:30