Experience Osaka's manufacturing industry through our exclusive tours!

• Table of Contents
• Superior Plan
• Standard plan
• Inspection area
• Smiley Earth Co., Ltd. - Towel manufacturing
• KOIZUMI MFG. CO., LTD. - Metal processing
• ITO HAGURUMA - Gear manufacturing
• KADONO SARASHISOME - Sakai Bleached Dyeing
• Tsuboichi Tea Manufacturing Co.,Ltd. - Tea
• Shin-ei Iron Works Co., Ltd. - Metal processing
• How to contact us

Superior Plan

Learn from Business Owners

In superior plans, we provide opportunities for customers to speak with CEOs that achieved innovative changes despite their traditional business.

Japan is famous for its manufacturing business, and in Osaka, Kansai, there are tons of manufacturing companies that have been in business for a long history; more than 50 years. 

The CEOs we introduce have been working on innovative actions, for example, expanding their business from BtoB business to BtoC product sales (which is quite difficult for Japanese companies which have been doing BtoB business for decades), achieving a V-shaped recovery due to various business transformations during large financial crises, and more.

The innovative ideas born from Japanese companies which have a long tradition and technology with high quality is worth listening for!

For inquiries, please click here (Japanese, English)

Standard plan

Behind the scenes of Made in Japan products

Kansai is a manufacturing powerhouse - a place where products made with the skills of Japan's proud craftsmen are produced.

You can experience a wide range of manufacturing, from traditional handmade crafts to machine-processed products.

The factories you can visit are all town factories. You will be infiltrating the authenticity of how Made-in-Japan brands are being produced.

If you're lucky, you might even be able to talk to a craftsman!?

For inquiries, please click here (Japanese, English)

Inspection area

The inspection area we will mainly introduce today is in South Osaka.

It’s a fascinating area if you wish to look around Osaka, since its between Kansai international airport and Namba, which is the center of Osaka.

Also, it is located between Kansai international Airport and Osaka Expo site in 2025.

Smiley Earth Co., Ltd. - Towel manufacturing

About Smiley Earth

【A Learning Experience at the Towel Factory that Created a Miracle】

We are a small towel manufacturing company in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture, the birthplace of towel manufacturing in Japan, that is taking on the challenge of changing the history of towel manufacturing.

Throughout the history of the development and decline of the towel industry in the region, the towel manufacturing industry has had a huge impact (environmental pollution) on the local natural environment. Smiley Earth has been researching how to make towels that do not pollute the earth, people, or nature, in order to pass on the traditional towel manufacturing industry of the region to the next generation in a better way.

In 2015, when we disovered a "towel production process that realizes a circular and stress-free environment", we received the Japan Water Grand Prize in 2017 and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the "Monozukuri Nippon Grand Prize" in 2018 after being recommended by many industrial scholars and ecologists.

We have evolved the "Nature Towel Factory", a new-generation towel factory where circular economy and sustainability are fully incorporated into the factory, by 2024, and created the "Smiley Earth Park, a space for food, clothing, and shelter" where resources are fully circulated with the towel factory at the center.

Tour Details

The factory tour will provide you with a learning experience that will allow you to clearly realize the traditional values ​​that have been created by economically-oriented manufacturing, and the new values ​​that are created by manufacturing that balances the economy and the environment.

We have prepared plans and option menus that are perfect for those who wish to have a deep learning experience over time, and those who wish to have a short learning experience, so we will guide you to the factory tour that is best suited to you.

【Price】

【Capacity】
1- 20 pax　*Depends on the course

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

【Contents】
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 2 weeks before

KOIZUMI MFG. CO., LTD. - Metal processing

About KOIZUMI MFG. CO., LTD.

【Proposal-based business method】

We meet the needs of customers in the development/processing of metal parts. Their precise processing technology, which has been cultivated over many years, can provide bending, pressing, welding, polishing, and surface treatment all in one-stop. We are a proposal-based company that solves customers' manufacturing needs/difficulties with our sophisticated technology and long-accumulated knowledge.

Tour Details

During the tour, the president himself will talk about business succession and new ventures. After graduating from university, he learned production technology at a major heavy industry company and joined Koizumi Manufacturing in 2007. In 2014, following the sudden passing of the previous president, he took over as president at the age of 31.

Starting without any handover and not even knowing where the company seal was, he faced enormous debt. However, he aggressively pursued new business ventures and embraced unknown challenges. As a result, he has transformed the company into something truly exciting over the past decade.

【Price】
57,500 yen (tax in)

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

【time】
Approximately 90 minutes

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

【Application】
Up to 2 weeks before

ITO HAGURUMA - Gear manufacturing

About ITO HAGURUMA

【Outstanding management philosophy and organizational development】

We invite you to visit our factory, where we take pride in our ability to manufacture any type of Gear. Our commitment to quality and efficiency is demonstrated through our rigorous 3S activities (Sort, Set in order, Shine) and the implementation of the latest process management systems.

Additionally, we actively employ young staff, fostering a workplace filled with fresh ideas and energy.

Tour Details

During the factory tour, you will have the opportunity to observe our manufacturing processes up close. Moreover, our president will personally share insights into our management philosophy and organizational development. You will also learn about our skill maps and the digital transformation (DX) of 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】
Contact us

【Capacity】
Contact us

【Time】
Contact us

【Contents】
Contact us

【Application】
Factory tour, Speech by the president

KADONO SARASHISOME - Sakai Bleached Dyeing

About KADONO SARASHISOME

【WAZARASHI - Japanese bleaching of Sakai】

Japanese bleaching is a traditional industry in Sakai, Osaka that has been going on for over 400 years.

Its texture becomes softer the more you wash it, making it ideal for bedding, and it is characterized by its gentle and soft texture.

It is a safe and secure fabric that has long been used for gauze, baby underwear, diapers, etc.

Tour Details

Would you like to make your one-of-a-kind original "tenugui"?

You will start by folding the original "tenugui" towel cloth into a triangle. We have six colors of dyes available, so you can choose your favorite color and experience dyeing.

You can take the tenugui on the day you have experienced! Children are also welcome.

Our staff will provide thorough direct instruction, so even those with no experience can rest assured. We hope you will experience the joy of holding a dyed tenugui in your hands and experience the fun of dyeing.

【Price】
Starting from 2,100 yen per person (tax included)
*Prices vary depending on the course.

【Capacity】
From 1 pax

【Time】
30-60 min
*Vary depending on the course.

【Contents】
Tenugui tie-dyeing experience
*Additional 1,300 yen/pax to the experience course for a tour of the factory

【Application】
Up to 2 months before

Tsuboichi Tea Manufacturing Co.,Ltd. - Tea

About Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo

【Tsuboichi aims to make "always delicious tea"】

Tsuboichi was founded in Sakai in 1850 during the end of the Edo period. For over 170 years, under the belief that "tea connects people," we have been providing high-quality, fresh, safe, secure, and affordable tea as "tea for daily life." In addition, based on the idea that tea contributes to health, we are one of the first to independently research deep-steamed tea and oolong tea, and has been supported by customers not only in Sakai but all over the country.

Experience Overview

At this long-established tea shop founded over 170 years ago in Sakai, the hometown of Sen no Rikyu, founder of tea ceremony, you will experience the profound world of tea that is unique to a place where tea culture flourished.

Tsuboichi tea masters will guide you through the tea manufacturing process, which involves selecting tea leaves from various regions, heating them, and combining them in an easy-to-understand manner, and after experiencing roasting tea leaves, you will learn how to brew delicious tea. After that, you will enjoy a tea porridge lunch that condenses the flavor of tea.

【Price】
9,200 yen (per pax/tax included)

【Capacity】
1-8 pax

【Time】
90 minutes experience + tea porridge lunch and dessert

【Contents】
90 min experience + tea porridge lunch and dessert

【Notes】
1. Experiences on Thursday or Friday may be difficult. If you are interested, please contact us as soon as possible.
2. We require time to confirm this experience.

Shin-ei Iron Works Co., Ltd. - Metal processing

About SHIN-EI IRONSMITH

We receive a wide variety of requests from our customers every day.

We have been in business for over 40 years, and while inheriting the recipes of our manufacturing over the past 40 years, we pursue profound manufacturing by creating "one size fits all" products every day.

We deliver to you with our heart and soul in each and every product.

Workshop

Why not try making a traditional Japanese toy with your own hands using metal?

In this experience, you will attempt to make a high-quality top with an accuracy of 1/100 mm, where even the slightest deviation is not allowed. Experience the fun of making an amazing top that appears to be still even though it is moving. Come experience making a one-of-a-kind traditional toy with your own hands!

【Price】
Contact us

【Capacity】
2-10 pax

【Time】
apx. 60-90 min

【Contents】
Factory tour, Toy making experience

【Application】
Until 1 week before

How to 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 (Japanese, English)

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