[Company Visit List] Learn from Japanese Business Leaders: Factory Tours & Corporate Visits in Southern Osaka Featuring Manufacturing Technology and Management Philosophy

• Table of Contents
• Why Corporate Visits and Factory Tours in Southern Osaka Are Gaining Attention
• What is the Premium Plan?
• Recommended for:
• Voices from International Participants
• [Featured Visit] Developing Young Talent Through 3S Activities
• [Featured Visit] SDGs and manufacturing * Acceptance is suspended for the time being from April 2026
• [Featured Visit] Business Succession in Long-Established Companies
• [Featured Visit]Tourism Growing Together with the Local Community
• [Featured Visit] Experience a “Living” Factory Powered by Employee Ideas
• Recommended Articles
• Contact Us

Why Corporate Visits and Factory Tours in Southern Osaka Are Gaining Attention

What Is Industrial Tourism? (Company Visits & Factory Tours)

Industrial tourism is a travel style that involves experiencing and learning about local industries, manufacturing sites, and corporate management as tourist resources .
Through factory tours, observing craftsmanship, and dialogue with management, you can gain a deeper understanding of the process by which products are created, the skills and spirit of the craftsmen, the on-site improvement culture (kaizen), the company's management philosophy, and its efforts toward the SDGs.

In recent years, the Japan Tourism Agency and local governments have also been promoting industrial tourism, and the number of foreign visitors visitors to Japan participating in tours of cutlery forges, sake breweries, and local industrial workshops has been increasing. Corporate inspections and factory tours are also included in this industrial tourism, and because they allow people to learn about management, technology, and culture across the board on-site, they are attracting attention as "learning trips" from management, MBAs, and educational institutions.

A Region Rich in Long‑Established Manufacturers: Southern Osaka & Wakayama

Southern Osaka and Wakayama are known as areas densely populated with manufacturing industries that have inherited history and technology .
This area is home to many companies that are proactively working to protect the environment and implement SDGs while preserving traditional techniques. One of the attractions of this area is that it allows visitors to systematically learn about Japanese lifestyles, culture, values, and industrial history through industries that are deeply rooted in everyday life, such as towel manufacturing, metal processing, and bleaching.
Additionally, many of these companies have achieved significant management transformations, such as "shifting from B2B to B2C" and "overcoming the financial crisis and achieving a V-shaped recovery," so another major attraction is the opportunity to learn about the efforts of management on the ground .

It is also an attractive tourist destination, and is popular for corporate visit tours combined with sightseeing in Osaka City . This area offers an efficient and fulfilling industrial tourism experience for business travelers and group travelers using Kansai Airport.

Outstanding Accessibility from Kansai International Airport

The tour area is located in the southern Osaka region, between Kansai International Airport and Namba in central Osaka , and its advantage is that it minimizes travel burden for visitors to Japan. Even with a short stay, it is easy to efficiently organize factory tours and company inspections of multiple companies, and the location is convenient for carrying out tours on the first day of arrival or before returning home .

These experiences provide visitors with the value of "knowing, learning, and experiencing," deepening their understanding of the region's history and culture, and are special moments that increase the satisfaction of the entire trip. For this reason, the "Premium Plan," which includes dialogue with the management , is recommended for those who wish to gain a deeper understanding.

For inquiries, please click here (Japanese, English)

What is the Premium Plan?

Learn Directly from Japanese Business Leaders

The "Premium Plan" industrial tourism experience in southern Osaka and Wakayama is a company visit program for international visitors, easily accessible from Kansai Airport. This premium experience offers valuable learning opportunities, allowing you to visit manufacturing companies that have been in business for over 50 years and learn about their on-site technical capabilities, dialogue with management, SDG initiatives, human resource development, and management philosophy .

The companies introduced are all led by leaders who have implemented innovative management strategies, such as shifting from B2B to B2C operations and achieving a V-shaped recovery after overcoming the financial crisis . The future-oriented ideas and management philosophies generated by Japanese companies, which combine tradition and technological capabilities, will be highly valuable for overseas business leaders and entrepreneurs to see.

For inquiries, please click here (JP, EN)

Recommended for:

👔Business Executives & Corporate Leaders

・Learn about management philosophy, SDGs, and human resource development at a Japanese manufacturing site. ・Gain insights that can be applied to your company's management strategy through dialogue with management. ・Experience a "management perspective rooted in the workplace" that cannot be obtained overseas.

🎓University Seminars & MBA Programs

・Learn about real-life examples of business administration, international business, and sustainability. ・Expand your academic perspective through examples of transformation in small and medium-sized enterprises and the implementation of SDGs. ・Not only do you tour factories, but you also gain a deep understanding of the background behind managers' decision-making.

📋Corporate HR Teams & Training Managers

・Learn about human resource development, improvement culture, and quality control in a "real-world" setting. ・Experience success stories of productivity improvement that are difficult to learn through in-house training. ・Can be used for training young employees and managers.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑General Travel Groups Interested in Industry

・Experience Japanese manufacturing techniques and management philosophy ・English materials and interpreters are provided for peace of mind for overseas groups ・Ideal for group trips that combine sightseeing and learning

Voices from International Participants

Why Global Business Leaders Are Paying Attention to Manufacturing Tours in Japan

The southern Osaka and Wakayama area is home to a concentration of sites where you can experience the high technological capabilities of the manufacturing industry and corporate culture, and is highly satisfying for overseas participants as a learning opportunity that caters to a variety of purposes, from business managers, educational institutions, training personnel, and general tourists.

German Entrepreneurs & Executives: “Inspired by Innovation Rooted in Japanese Culture”

He participated in the program to learn about the global expansion of Osaka-based startups and the innovation ecosystem created by public-private partnerships. Through the on-site visit, he was inspired by the company's corporate philosophy, its efforts toward the SDGs, its philosophy on human resource development, and its approach to manufacturing, and was highly praised, saying that he would like to apply this knowledge to his own company's innovation strategy.

UAE Textile Consultant: “Learning Japanese Production Management Strengthened My Proposal Skills”

The participants participated to learn about the production management process in the Japanese apparel industry and to find products that they could propose to their buyers. Through dialogue with on-site personnel, some said they gained knowledge that they could apply directly to their work. The program was highly praised for providing an opportunity to learn about the reality of the on-site world, including product quality standards and process management systems.

Malaysian University Student: “An Academically Stimulating Field Experience”

He is researching the Japanese manufacturing industry in his university seminar, and participated in the tour to see firsthand the actual situation on the ground. After the company tour, he asked, "Will they accept interns?" It was such an inspiring experience academically as well. For students studying business administration and international business, it was a valuable opportunity to gain firsthand understanding of "organizational culture, improvement (kaizen), on-site capabilities, and technical transfer," which cannot be learned through classroom learning.

The inspection area for the Premium Plan is the southern Osaka region, located between Kansai International Airport and Namba, the center of Osaka City . It is easily accessible from the airport, making it an attractive area for foreign visitors to Japan as it simplifies travel.

[Featured Visit] Developing Young Talent Through 3S Activities

Outstanding Management Philosophy and Organizational Development

Visit our factory, capable of producing a wide range of gears. Through rigorous implementation of 3S activities (Sort, Set in Order, Shine) and the adoption of advanced process management systems, we demonstrate our commitment to quality and efficiency.

We actively hire young staff, fostering a workplace full of fresh ideas and energy.

Tour Details

During the factory tour, you will observe our manufacturing processes up close. Our company president will personally share insights on management philosophy and organizational development.You will also learn about our approach to skill enhancement and digital transformation (DX) in process management, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how we efficiently produce high-quality products.

Take this opportunity to experience our innovative initiatives and passion firsthand.

【Price】
63,300 yen (tax included)

【Group Size】
1–20 participants

【Duration】
Approximately 120 minutes

【Includes】
Factory tour and a lecture by the company president

【Application】
Please contact us

≪For more details, click here↓≫

[Featured Visit] SDGs and manufacturing * Acceptance is suspended for the time being from April 2026

Learning Experience at an Eco-Friendly Towel Factory

Located in Izumisano City, Osaka—the birthplace of Japan’s towel manufacturing—this small company is taking on the challenge of transforming the history of towel production through innovative and sustainable practices.

Throughout the history of towel manufacturing in this region, the industry has had a significant impact on the local natural environment, including pollution. To pass on this traditional craft to future generations in a better way, we have conducted extensive research to develop towel production methods that do not harm the planet, people, or nature.

In 2015, they developed a stress-free, circular towel production process, earning recommendations from numerous industrial and ecological experts. This achievement led to the Japan Water Award in 2017 and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the Monozukuri Nippon Grand Award in 2018.

Through towel manufacturing, they have embraced a circular economy and fully integrated sustainability into our factory operations, creating a next-generation towel factory—“Nature Towel Factory.” By 2024, this initiative has evolved into a model where resources circulate completely, forming a holistic “Living Space” concept.

Tour Details

During the factory tour, you will gain insights into the contrast between traditional manufacturing driven by economic priorities and a new value system created by sustainable manufacturing that balances economy and environment. This is a learning experience designed to spark awareness and inspire fresh perspectives.

We offer flexible plans and optional activities to suit those seeking an in-depth learning experience or a shorter visit, ensuring the perfect factory tour for your needs.

【Price】
Basic fee: 63,300 yen / group (10 people or less) → 6,400 yen per person for 11 people or more Additional options: 1,300 yen each / person

【Group Size】
1- 20 pax　*Depends on the course

【Duration】
90 - 120 min　*Depends on the additional options

【Includes】
Tour of Nature Towel Factory　*Depends on the additional options
Additional options
1."Manufacturing discussion" at "Satarou Residence," a building related to the founding family
2. Handmade cotton paper workshop
3. Learning about Uganda at the UGANDA HOUSE
4. Souvenir (towel)

【Application】
Up to two weeks in advance. * Reservations will be suspended from April 2026 (Reservations can be made up until March).

[Featured Visit] Business Succession in Long-Established Companies

Solution-Oriented Sales Approach

We meet customer needs in the development and processing of metal components. Our precision processing technology, cultivated over many years, enables one-stop solutions for bending, pressing, welding, polishing, and surface treatment. With advanced technology and decades of accumulated expertise, we provide innovative proposals to solve manufacturing challenges and deliver tailored solutions.

Tour Details

During the tour, the company president will personally share insights on business succession and new ventures. After graduating from university and gaining experience in production technology at a major heavy industry company, he joined the firm in 2007 and became president at the age of 31 following the sudden passing of his predecessor in 2014.

Starting with no guidance—even unaware of where the company seal was kept—and burdened with significant debt, he aggressively pursued new business development and bold challenges. As a result, the company has transformed into a highly dynamic enterprise over the past decade.

【Price】
57,500 yen (tax in)

【Group Size】
2-20 pax *The above price apply for up to 20 people.

【Duration】
Approximately 90 minutes

【Includes】
Factory tour, metal processing experience, speech by the president

【Application】
At least 2 weeks in advance

≪For more details, click here↓≫

[Featured Visit]Tourism Growing Together with the Local Community

Tsutenkaku, the Tower Standing at the Heart of Osaka’s Shinsekai

Tsutenkaku is a landmark that stands in the center of Osaka, Osaka, and its name means "a tall building that reaches the heavens." The current tower is the second generation, rebuilt in 1956; the original was built in 1912 but was lost in a fire. However, thanks to the strong desire of the local community, it was restored and is now a beloved symbol of Osaka. The observation deck, about 90 meters above ground, and the statue of Billiken, the god of good fortune, are popular, and it was designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2007. The building also features historical exhibits, shops, and attractions, making it a comprehensive tourist facility that attracts tourists from all over the world.

Tour Details

This tour will discuss the behind-the-scenes of urban development and business reforms in collaboration with the local community. Tsutenkaku has long been a beloved symbol of Osaka's downtown area, but has now grown into a popular spot visited by many tourists from both Japan and abroad. Behind this growth lies reforms to keep up with the times and urban development in collaboration with Shinsekai. Having overcome a crisis of declining visitor numbers, the tower has now made a major recovery, with over 1.2 million visitors. In 2024, it became a subsidiary of a major railway group.
The tour will provide a special opportunity to hear about the business, such as what goes on behind the scenes of these reforms and the company's vision for the future, which you would not normally hear.

【Includes】
Executive lecture + facility tour *Optional extras: Experience the attractions "DIVE & WALK" and "TOWER SLIDER"

【Price】
57,500 yen (tax included)/group

【Group Size】
1 to 10 people

【Duration】
Approximately 120 to 150 minutes

【Application】
Up to one month in advance

Tsutenkaku, which developed alongside the bustle of Shinsekai, has now evolved into more than just an observation deck; it's a comprehensive tourist spot with a wide range of attractions. It offers a full range of facilities, from hands-on attractions like "DIVE & WALK" to historical exhibits and souvenir shops, allowing you to enjoy thrills, learning, and shopping. Furthermore, "Shinsekai," which spreads out at the base of Tsutenkaku, is an international area visited by tourists from all over the world, retaining the atmosphere of the Showa, yet also offering a safe and enjoyable experience for families and women. Come experience the vitality and energy of Osaka to the fullest.

≪For more details, click here↓≫

[Featured Visit] Experience a “Living” Factory Powered by Employee Ideas

Starting with employees’ ideas and creativity — taking on the challenge of building new forms of monozukuri.

Founded 60 years ago in Sakai, this company is a top-class manufacturer of stand signs, holding a 10-15% share of the domestic market. Starting as a contract manufacturing business for bearings used in the drive systems of industrial machinery, they have grown into a finished product manufacturer that handles everything from planning and manufacturing to sales in-house, with the motto of "breaking away from subcontracting." They have continuously produced innovative products such as pull-up machines and "support signs" that also serve as first aid equipment.
Even with a young workforce averaging 31 years old, our on-site system allows for high-quality production, and their flexible thinking is the driving force behind new initiatives and product development.

Tour Details

First, we'll hear from the president about the company's history and business activities. What's inside noteworthy is their "product development platform." This system, which starts with employee ideas and concepts and promotes commercialization through co-creation with external partners, is resulting in the creation of many unique products.
The "Support Sign," a sign that doubles as a rescue device, is a revolutionary emergency assistance tool that functions as a regular stand sign but can be used as a wheelchair or stretcher in emergencies such as disasters or accidents. With over 500 units already installed in educational institutions and private companies nationwide, it is attracting attention as a disaster preparedness and rescue tool in a wide range of settings.

In the CEO's presentation, you can learn about the mechanisms and challenges involved in turning ideas from the field into products, all centered around design management.

After the lecture, we'll take a factory tour. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the production line and see how they maintain a balance of high quality and speed. The mini-frame making experience is a valuable program where you can enjoy the fun and sense of accomplishment of manufacturing by using large equipment to cut hard boards and assembling aluminum frames, and by working with tools and processes you don't usually get to use.

【Includes/Price】
Factory tour + mini frame making experience
(Adults) 3,800 yen (tax included) per person (Children) 1,900 yen (tax included) per person • Lecture on design management + factory tour + mini frame making experience 28,800 yen (tax included) per group

【Group Size】
1 to 15 people

【Duration】
Approximately 90 to 120 minutes

【Application】
Up until two weeks ago

≪Click here for details↓≫

Recommended Articles

Overview of Industrial Tourism

How to Book Your Tour

Enjoy Japan’s Traditional Culture

Contact Us

1. Please fill out the necessary information in the form below and contact us.
2. We will contact you from "industrial.tourism@nankai.co.jp" within 3 business days.

For inquiries, please click here (JP, EN)

Please feel free to contact us with any inquiries from available dates to detailed tour information!