photo by gigazine
The Japanese love good food. Some of our food like Teriyaki and Tempura are very much loved in overseas by local people too. Sushi, inter alia, is so widely accepted in overseas cultures now a days that it is getting transformed into something different from its original form. Such popularity of Japanese cuisine is all resulted by the long inherited inquisitive mind and passion of Japanese people driven by the desire to eat good food. But wait a minute! Japanese food is not just about Sushi and Tempura. You would see Japanese snacks and seasonings and such on the supermarket shelves in your own country. Why don’t you join a factory tour to explore the secret of those products?
“Kappa Ebisen” (Shrimp Flavored Chips) Free Factory Tour
No one would doubt that Calbee’s “Potato Chips” and “Kappa Ebisen” represent the Japanese bagged snack food. Calbee has been manufacturing these two dominant products for many years. But not many people knows that the company originated from Hiroshima. Here in Hiroshima, the city of Calbee, you can see behind the production of “Kappa Ebisen” which is known for the catchy commercial song “once popped, you can’t stop”. From making of doe to packaging, you can see everything about “Kappa Ebisen” you normally see on the supermarket shelf. Also, tasting sample of “Kappa Ebisen” will be served at the end of the tour, straight out of the line! Duration 90min.
Calbee Hiroshima Factory
Address: 16-9 Mokuzaiko Kita Hatsukaichi-shi Hiroshima
Booking: Fax or email
Official Site: https://www.calbee.co.jp/factory/hiroshima/
“Otafuku Sauce” Free Factory Tour
Hiroshima is famous for “Okonomiyaki” pancake. No story about Hiroshima to be told without Okonomiyaki. Within Hitoshima, every single resident knows this sauce. At this factory, you can see from the bottling section to the 100% automated shipping procedures after watching a movie of the sauce manufacturing and the quality controls. The exhibition of the history of Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki and Okonomiyaki experience (fees apply) are available in the Wood Egg Okonomiyaki Building next to the factory. Free Otafuku Sauce will be generously given to the guests at the end of the tour. Duration 90min.
Otafuku Sauce Wood Egg Okonomiyaki Building
Address: 7-4-5 Shoko-Center Nishi-ku Hiroshima
Booking: Fax or email
Official Site: https://www.otafuku.co.jp/laboratory/factory/
“Pocky” Free Factory Tour
Pocky, flavored with a hint of romance. Do you remember a dramatized TV commercial series “Romance from up on Pocky hill”? Well, quite a few people in the overseas actually described its delightful taste as “I fell in love with Pocky”. At the Glicopia East, which opened in 2012, you can view the production process of magical snack “Pocky” as well as Glico’s another main product “Pretz”. From the mixing process to the packaging and shipping process. You will witness everything of those delicate snacks! In addition, the history of Ezaki Glico and all the forepast free toys are exhibited in the College Hall and the Glico Town of Glicopia East. Also, this place entertain you with many more activities! Photo shooting with the famous Glico runner or decorating a giant Pocky (fees apply) and such. Duration 70min.
Glicopia East
Address: 9-55 9-55 Nakamaru, Kitamoto 364-0013, Saitama
Booking: Phone or official site
Official Site: https://www.glico.com/jp/enjoy/experience/glicopiaeast
“Kirin Beer” Free Factory Tour
Kirin, the international beer giant offers its original brand “Ichiban Shibori” in US and Europe, and the local brand “Megumi” in Oceania. Kirin Okayama Factory is manufacturing most of “Ichiban Shibori” which is supplied within whole Chugoku region. The size of this factory is 9 times of the Koshien Baseball Stadium, but it fits perfectly in the peaceful landscape of Higashi-ku Okayama. After learning how “Ichiban Shibori” is manufactured by a bus tour in this gigantic premise, you can quench the thirst with a freshly made beer! Many gifts are available from the Factory Shop for family and friends. A great tour for adults. Duration 70min.
Kirin Beer Okayama Factory
Address: 678 Setochomantomi, Higashi-ku, Okayama
Booking: Phone or Official Site
Official Site: http://www.kirin.co.jp/entertainment/factory/okayama/
“Yakult” Free Factory Tour
A tiny bottle of Yakult. Tastes good as it is or frozen, it is a classic snack time drink of Japanese children. But Yakult doesn’t just taste delicious but also has great health benefits. You can find Yakult in overseas supermarket, of course. A probiotic drink Yakult is offered in US, Europe and Oceania as well as China and South East Asian countries. This drink is spread all over the world, there is no wonder many people wouldn’t even imagine Yakult is a Japanese company. Yakult Okayama Factory, that started a full operation only in February 2015, holds a factory tour to show the production of 3 kinds of Yakult. The guided tour will be closed with a tasting of fresh Yakult. Duration 60min.
Yakult Okayama Wake Factory
Address: 269 Takayanagi Tawarashimo Aza Wake-cho, Wake-gun, Okayama
Booking: Request an application form by phone, and fax the form
Official Site: http://www.yakult.co.jp/knowledge/factory/index.html
“Kewpie Mayonnaise” Free Factory Tour
The king of Japanese mayonnaise industry, Kewpie. Its unique and original taste makes a clear difference from any other brands. Kewpie proudly dominate the market share of mayonnaise in Japan. In Kewpie Itami Factory’s open kitchen, the egg breaking process and the mayonnaise production are open to the public. Seeing 600 eggs are broken every minute by the high speed egg breaking machine is simply amazing! Other than that, you can learn the secret of smooth and creamy mayonnaise, a carefully designed technique of the bottling process and more. So many cares and attentions are paid to produce a bottle of mayonnaise! Each factory of Kewpie occasionally plans its own events, so don’t forget to check their official website beforehand.
Kewpie Itami Factory
Address: 4-7-1 Minamicho, Itami, Hyogo
Booking: Phone or official site
Official Site: http://www.kewpie.co.jp/know/openkitchen/itami_01.html
“Kikkoman” Free Factory Tour
Last of all, the Chiba Noda Factory of Kikkoman that manufactures soy sauce, the soul of Japanese cuisine. The malt making process, the fermentation and pressuring process of “moromi” and other processes are open to the public here. Once you enter the factory, you will be surrounded by the smell of soy sauce! A movie of the entire soy sauce making process, experiencing the difference between different types of soy sauce… you can experience many more activities. The guests can take a free bottle of Kikkoman soy sauce at the end of the tour. Also, you can enjoy soy sauce ice cream, special “moromi” miso soup, baking rice crackers at “Mame Café” (fees apply). Duration 60min.
Kikkoman Chiba Noda Factory
Address: 110 Noda, Noda 278-0037, Chiba
Booking: Phone
Official Site: http://www.kikkoman.co.jp/enjoys/factory/noda.html
Before call it an end
All the factories introduced here hold free tours to communicate the quality of their products to the public and encourage the recognition of their safety controls. You can see how these food is delivered to your table, then those products might feel even tastier than before!? A booking is required to join a factory tour, don’t forget to check booking procedures on the website!
