[Experiences] South Osaka and Wakayama Factory Tours｜Learn Japanese Craftsmanship Through Hands‑On Experiences

• Table of Contents
• Why Corporate Visits and Factory Tours in Southern Osaka Are Gaining Attention
• What is the Standard Plan?
• Recommended for:
• [Experience Introduction] Tenugui Making
• [Experience Introduction] High-precision spinning top making workshop
• [Experience Introduction] Umeshu-Making Experience in Wakayama
• [Experience Introduction] Japanese Tea
• [Experience Introduction]Wagashi Making Experience
• [Experience Introduction] Knife-making tour
• [Experience Introduction] Precision Metal Bending 
• How to contact us
• Recommended Articles

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 allows visitors to experience and learn about local industries, manufacturing sites, and business operations as tourist resources .
Through factory tours, demonstrations of craftsmanship, and dialogues with management, you can gain a deep understanding of "the process by which products are created, the skills and spirit of craftsmen, the culture of continuous improvement (Kaizen), and the company's management philosophy and SDGs initiatives."

In recent years, the Japan Tourism Agency and local governments have been promoting industrial tourism, and participation from foreign visitors visitors has been increasing in activities such as visits to cutlery forges, sake breweries, and local industrial workshops. Company visits and factory tours are also included in industrial tourism, and because they allow participants to learn about management, technology, and culture in a cross-disciplinary way on-site, they are attracting attention from management, MBA students, and educational institutions as "travel for educational purposes."

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

Southern Osaka and Wakayama are known as regions with a high concentration of manufacturing industries that carry on history and technology. This area is characterized by many companies that are actively engaged in environmental considerations and SDGs practices while preserving traditional techniques. Through industries rooted in daily life, such as towel manufacturing, metal processing, and bleaching, one can systematically learn about Japanese lifestyle culture, values, and industrial history.
Furthermore, many of these companies have achieved significant management transformations, such as "shifting from B2B to B2C business" or "achieving a V-shaped recovery after overcoming the financial crisis," making the opportunity to learn firsthand about the management's initiatives a major attraction.

Outstanding Accessibility from Kansai International Airport

The inspection area is located in the South Osaka region, situated between Kansai International Airport and central Osaka /Namba, making it convenient for visitors to Japan due to its minimal travel burden. It's easy to efficiently schedule factory tours and company visits to multiple companies even during a short stay, and the location is ideal for conducting tours on the first day of arrival or before departure.

These experiences offer visitors the value of "knowing, learning, and experiencing," deepening their understanding of the region's history and culture, and becoming a special time that enhances the overall satisfaction of their trip. For those who want to enjoy industrial tourism (factory tours) in a more casual way, the "Standard Plan," which allows you to actually experience Japanese manufacturing, is recommended.

For inquiries, please click here (Japanese/English)

What is the Standard Plan?

Experience Authentic “Made in Japan”Craftsmanship”

The "Standard Plan" in Southern Osaka and Wakayama allows you to experience Japanese craftsmanship. You can visit local companies, observe their manufacturing processes, and experience simple craftsmanship under the guidance of artisans, giving you a glimpse into the unique "spirit of Japanese craftsmanship."
The companies offering the experience span a wide range of fields, including traditional crafts, metalworking, and food manufacturing, and the appeal lies in being able to actually touch and use the tools and machinery used by craftsmen.

Thanks to convenient access from Kansai International Airport, this program is ideal for educational trips, corporate training groups, and general sightseeing tours.
It offers a perfect blend of learning and cultural exploration, making it one of the most rewarding experiences in South Osaka and Wakayama.

For inquiries, please click here (Japanese, English)

Recommended for:

✈️ Ideal for airport users and those with short stays , especially those who want to make effective use of their free time after arriving at Kansai International Airport or during downtime before departure.
Southern Osaka and Wakayama are easily accessible from the airport, allowing you to enjoy fulfilling factory tours and hands-on craftsmanship experiences even in a short amount of time.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Recommended for families who want to experience Japanese and Osaka culture, and for those looking for an experience where parents and children can learn together while having fun.
In the manufacturing sites of southern Osaka and Wakayama, children can easily learn about traditional craftsmanship and culture, making it a perfect place to create lasting memories on a family trip.

🎓 For student groups looking for an educational trip: This is perfect for student groups to learn about Japanese industries and SDGs.
University and high school seminar trips and study tours offer a realistic educational experience where students learn from the field by visiting manufacturing sites.

🧳 For those looking for an authentic traditional industry experience that you can participate in with peace of mind, and for those seeking an experience where you can interact with local businesses and artisans.
With a high level of safety and extensive support from the visited locations, you can participate with peace of mind even if it's your first time on an industrial tourism tour.

🌱 This is perfect for those interested in sustainable tourism and those who want to learn about sustainability concepts from the initiatives of locally rooted businesses and industries.
Visits to environmentally conscious factories and companies that preserve traditional culture are popular among travelers interested in sustainable tourism.

📸 For those who love culture and photography, and who want to experience "real Japan" that you can't find in tourist spots.
With plenty of scenes to capture in photos, such as the artisans' handiwork, the factory interior, and the manufacturing process, this is highly recommended for photography enthusiasts.

[Experience Introduction] Tenugui Making

Sakai 's "Washarashi"

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

"Wazarashi" is a type of fabric that has been bleached to remove impurities from cotton, and has been produced in large quantities along the Ishizu River, which has abundant water, since the early Edo period. The fabric is cooked in a large cauldron for approximately 28 hours.

It has a gentle feel without losing the natural texture of cotton. The more you wash it, the softer it becomes, making it ideal for bedding.

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

Tour Details

Why not try making your own original tenugui that is one of a kind?

We will start by folding the original Tenugui cloth into a triangle. We have about six colors of dyes available, so you can choose your favorite color and try your hand at dyeing.

Takeaway on the day is OK! Children are welcome too!

Our staff will provide thorough, direct instruction, so even if you have no experience, there is no need to worry. We hope you will experience the joy of dyeing and the joy of holding a dyed tenugui cloth in your hands.

≪Fee≫
Starting from 2,300 yen per person (tax included)
*Prices vary depending on the course.

≪Number of people≫
From 1 person

≪Time≫
30-60 minutes

≪Contents≫
Tenugui tie-dyeing experience
*In addition to the trial course, we will also guide you around the factory for an additional 1,300 yen per person.

≪Booking≫
Up to 2 months in advance

≪For more details, click here↓≫

[Experience Introduction] High-precision spinning top making workshop

About Metal Processing Company

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 are constantly pursuing profound manufacturing by creating "one size fits all" products.

We put our heart into each and every product.

Workshop Details

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

In this experience, you will attempt to create a high-quality top with an accuracy of 1/100 mm, where even the slightest deviation is not allowed. Experience the joy of creating 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!

≪Fee≫
2,300 yen

≪Number of people≫
1 to 10 people

≪Time≫
Approximately 60 to 90 minutes

≪Contents≫
Factory tour and toy making experience

≪Booking≫
Up until one week before

≪For more details, click here↓≫

[Experience Introduction] Umeshu-Making Experience in Wakayama

A Historic Brewery Sharing Wakayama’s Umeshu Culture with the World

This long-established brewery has been making plum wine for many years in Wakayama, a famous plum producing region, and is currently producing authentic plum wine while promoting the charm of the region both domestically and internationally. Its predecessor was a soy sauce brewery, and it has a unique history. Utilizing the fermentation and brewing techniques cultivated there, the brewery produces plum wine and health foods using ingredients from Wakayama Prefecture, including Nanko plums.

Tour Details

In this program, you can enjoy the unique plum pickling experience and tour of the sake brewery.

During the pickling experience, you can make your own plum wine or plum syrup using Nankou plums from Wakayama Prefecture, and you can take the bottle you make home with you on the same day!

You can make your own original plum wine at home while observing the aging process for six months.

During the brewery tour, you can see the plum wine production process up close, and also enjoy tasting and shopping. This is the perfect experience for those who want to learn more about Wakayama's plum culture.

≪Contents / Fee≫

①Plum wine making experience course (including tour of the sake brewery) 2,600 yen (tax included) per person

②Plum syrup making experience course (including tour of the sake brewery) 1,900 yen (tax included) per person

*Overseas customers can only make reservations for the plum wine making experience course.

≪Number of people≫

1 to 80 people *Please contact us for groups of 81 or more.

≪Time≫

Approximately 60 to 90 minutes

《Regular Holiday》

Every Monday (if Monday is a public holiday, closed on the following Tuesday)

≪Booking≫

Up to one week before

≪For more details, click here↓≫

[Experience Introduction] Japanese Tea

Our goal is to always serve delicious tea.

Experience the profound world of tea at this long-established tea shop, founded over 170 years ago in Sakai, the hometown of Sen no Rikyu, where tea culture flourished. Tea masters will carefully select tea leaves from various regions, roast them, and blend them together in a clear and easy-to-understand guide. After roasting tea leaves, you will learn how to brew delicious tea. Afterward, enjoy a tea porridge lunch, condensed with the flavor of tea.

In particular, their "Nanko Ume Plum Wine" is a highly acclaimed masterpiece, the first liqueur in Japan to receive Geographical Indication (GI) certification. The brewery has also attracted attention from overseas, and is a symbol of the region, where tradition and innovation live on.

Experience Overview

This company was founded in Sakai in 1850 (Kaei 3) at the end of the Edo period. For over 170 years, based on the belief that "tea connects people," they have been providing high-quality, fresh, safe, secure, and affordable tea as "tea for everyday life." Furthermore, based on the belief that tea contributes to health, they were one of the first to independently research deep-steamed tea and oolong tea, and are supported by customers not only in Sakai but throughout the country.

≪Fee≫

9,200 yen (per person/tax included)

≪Number of people≫

1-8 people

≪Time≫

Approximately 90 minutes of experience + tea porridge lunch and dessert

≪Contents≫

Experience, tea porridge lunch, dessert

≪Booking≫
1. It may be difficult to hold the event on Thursdays and Fridays. If you are interested, please contact us as soon as possible.
2. Please note that it will take some time for your order to be finalized.

[Experience Introduction]Wagashi Making Experience

Carrying 130 Years of Craftsmanship and Flavor into the Future

Founded over 130 years ago, this long-established Japanese and Western confectionery shop has over 20 stores, mainly in Osaka and Wakayama. Crafting both Japanese and Western sweets, they have carefully preserved their traditional methods and artisanal techniques while adapting to the changing times. What has been honed over their long history is the unchanging deliciousness and a constantly evolving approach to craftsmanship. The experience is held at a company facility along the Nankai line, and is easily accessible from Kansai International Airport. You can participate immediately after arrival, making it the perfect place to start or end your trip.

Tour Details

In the wagashi-making experience, you can watch a demonstration by a skilled wagashi craftsman, and then try your hand at making three types of wagashi. These high-quality fresh confections delicately express the beauty of nature and the scenery of each season through their colors and shapes. Finished with skill and ingenuity, they are truly "edible works of art." During the demonstration, you will be given an explanation of how seasonal scenes are incorporated into wagashi, and you will also be able to learn about the background to the creation of wagashi and the Japanese spirit of craftsmanship. After the demonstration, you will be able to try making your own wagashi with the support of the craftsman. You can take home your finished wagashi on the same day, making them a great memento of your trip or a truly Japanese souvenir.

≪Contents / Fee≫

Japanese sweets making experience

≪Price≫

(1-3 people) 23,000 yen/group

(4 to 10 people) 5,800 yen/person

≪Number of people≫

1 to 10 people

≪Time≫

Approximately 60 to 120 minutes

≪Booking≫

Up to 10 days in advance

*This event may not be held during busy periods.

≪Health & Safety Notice≫

To ensure your safety, we may refuse to allow you to participate in the experience if you are not feeling well on the day.

≪For more details, click here↓≫

[Experience Introduction] Knife-making tour

Experience craftsmanship at a blacksmith's shop - Visit the world-renowned Sakai cutlery workshop

Osaka, Sakai, is a "town of manufacturing" with a long history as one of Japan's leading cutlery production centers. Blacksmithing techniques that have been passed down over the years are still kept alive by artisans today. On this tour, you'll not only get to see the blacksmithing process up close, but you'll also get to try your hand at a full-scale forging experience, swinging a hammer and striking heated iron. Your guide will be Eric, a blacksmith from France. The unique appeal of this experience is that you'll get to experience the appeal of Sakai cutlery from a global perspective and learn about the reasons why Japanese craftsmanship is so highly regarded, all while experiencing the immersive experience of being on-site.

Tour Details

Guided by Sakai blacksmith Eric, you can learn about the blacksmithing techniques and their appeal that have been passed down in Sakai, while also trying your hand at forging with a hammer. This program's unique appeal is that you can hear from a craftsman about how to choose charcoal and determine the temperature of the iron, as well as experience the entire process from starting the fire to forging right before your eyes. In addition to the blacksmithing experience, you can also learn about Sakai's history and take a thorough tour of the entire facility, making it a popular experience with overseas visitors. Eric, who is fluent in Japanese, English, and French, will guide you, so even first-time visitors can participate with confidence.

≪Contents≫
Blacksmithing experience + on-site observation (experience：up to 2 participants)(Example)For 4–7 participants：approx. 2 hours / JPY 50,600 per group
Observation only：up to 20 participants  
≪Fee≫ 
 From JPY 25,300 / group (approx. 1 hour)

Blacksmithing experience + observation (Experience: up to 2 people per hour)

≪Number of people≫
1 to 20 people

≪Price≫

≪Time≫

Approximately 60 to 90 minutes

1 to 20 people

*For observation only, a maximum of 20 people can be accommodated.

≪Time≫

Approximately 60 to 90 minutes

≪Booking≫

At least 1 month in advance

*Guidance is available in English, French, and Japanese (no interpretation required).

≪For more details, click here↓≫

[Experience Introduction] Precision Metal Bending 

Transforming a Flat Sheet Into a Functional Component — Precision Craftsmanship at 0.1 mm

This long-established company in Osaka, Kawachinagano, has been engaged in precision sheet metal processing and press working for over 50 years and offers factory tours where you can learn about Japan's advanced manufacturing technology up close. The parts manufactured here are essential for the interiors of electronic and industrial equipment. They are used in many products as the "unsung heroes" that support our daily lives.
The company uses skilled techniques to cut, bend, and assemble metal sheets, and boasts the technical capabilities to precisely process metal sheets as thin as 0.1 mm. Behind what may appear to be simple processes lies the company's many years of accumulated experience and advanced know-how.

Tour Details

First, the president will give an introduction to the company's history and its commitment to manufacturing. Afterwards, you will observe how metal sheets are transformed into products along an actual production line. At this precision sheet metal processing site, which you don't normally get to see, you will be able to hear directly from the on-site engineers about the ingenuity behind the processing and key points for maintaining precision.

After the tour, you can experience metal bending. You can operate the actual machines and feel the sensation of metal bending as it is shaped. The realistic reaction of the metal as the machine moves is truly the "joy of manufacturing." At the end, you can try your hand at making a miniature forklift car using the parts you have processed yourself. This is a valuable experience program that allows you to experience both the delicacy of precision sheet metal processing and the joy of manufacturing.

≪Contents≫
Factory tour + metal bending experience

2,600 yen (tax included) per person

≪Number of people≫
4 to 20 people

≪Time≫
Approximately 120 minutes

Up to two weeks before

《For more details, click here↓》

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 for any enquiries about available dates or detailed tour information!

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