Lean Japan Tour – March 2026 – Kaizen Study Mission
The March 2026 Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour will run from Sunday 1st March to Saturday 7th March.
This immersive kaizen study mission includes seminars on lean manufacturing and the Toyota Production System, practical kaizen training, factory visits with insights from senior management, and opportunities to experience Japanese culture firsthand.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
The March 2026 Lean Japan Tour is now open for registration.
Visit our Lean Tours page for more information about our kaizen study mission programs together with feedback from tour alumni.
Contact us to express your interest or download the registration form to secure your spot today.
The March 2026 Lean Japan Tour welcomes English-speaking professionals from around the world.
Hosted by Shinka Management, the Lean Japan Tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the origins of lean management through an in-depth kaizen study mission in Japan.
Designed for professionals aiming to deepen their understanding of lean principles, this immersive experience provides insights into both the practices and cultural foundations that support continuous improvement.
Participants will visit globally respected Japanese factories to observe lean systems in action and gain practical knowledge of the Toyota Production System. Through hands-on training and real-world examples, the program builds skills that can be applied directly within one’s own organization.
The program also features seminars and interactive sessions with senior leaders and lean practitioners, offering strategic perspectives on implementing and sustaining lean practices. These discussions help participants explore challenges, share best practices, and gain new ideas to support innovation and operational excellence.
This comprehensive approach ensures that participants return with practical tools, deeper insight, and renewed motivation to lead lean transformation in their own workplaces.
Example Itinerary based on previous kaizen study missions
Sunday: Arrive Tokyo
- Tokyo Sightseeing / Free Time
- Orientation & Japanese Business Culture Seminar
- Welcome Dinner
Monday: Site Visits & Training
- Travel to Aichi Prefecture
- Seminar | Lean Leadership in Japan
- Site Tour | Suzaki Industries | Toyota Supplier
- Seminar | Toyota Production System
- Group Dinner in Inuyama
Tuesday: Seminars & Practical Training
- Seminar | Toyota Production System Standard Work
- Hands-on Training | Kaizen Team Challenge
- Group Dinner | Traditional Japanese Restaurant
Wednesday: Site Visit & Practical Training
- Site Visit | Metal One Isuzu (Steel Service Center)
- Practical Training | Kanban Simulation
- Sightseeing at Inuyama Castle
Thursday: Site Visits
- Factory Tour | Auotomotive final assembly plant or supplier
- Factory Tour | Precision tools manufacturer
Friday: Site Visit & Debriefing
- Factory visit | Automotive parts supplier
- Factory visit | Supplier to the building industry
- Final seminar and Tour Debrief Session
- Return to Tokyo
- Farewell Dinner in Shibuya
Saturday: Tokyo – Recovery and Sightseeing
- Tokyo Sightseeing | Asakusa and Ginza
- Departure
The Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour has featured visits to over 50 factories, service providers, hospitals, and government offices across Japan. Each tour is tailored based on the time of year, the availability of host companies, and the focus areas set by the tour leaders. Site selection prioritizes the strength of lean and kaizen learning opportunities over specific industry types, ensuring a broad and valuable experience for all participants.
Contact Shinka Management to learn more about the agenda for the March 2026 Lean Japan Tour.
Our kaizen study missions to Japan have welcomed participants from more than 70 countries worldwide…
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Paul and Eri from Shinka Management clearly understood the brief and greatly assisted in transforming our industry tour into an enjoyable and exceptional experience immersed in Japanese culture. Without their support we would not have gained the same level of factory access, learnings and knowledge. Well done!
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I attended the Shinka Management / Ai Group / JMAC Lean Japan Study Tour in 2010 – outstanding, highly recommended. (I don’t have this much fun when I go on holiday.) To see the cultural home of Lean Manufacturing is an experience you will never forget. Ride on a bullet train, walk the factory floor…
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I would highly recommend the tour to anyone who is in the business of improving people. The ideas stimulated through this tour have helped me reform our entire vision of what improvement means for our business.
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Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Paul Smith and the team at Shinka Management, in particular Eri Dennis, did an incredible job planning and leading our tailored Japan Study Tour in March 2024. Our team of construction and training professionals learnt and more importantly experienced so much about lean management and Japanese construction, manufacturing and factory practices. Without the expertise and…
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Denver, Colorado, United States
This was my third visit to Japan with Shinka Management and it is difficult for me to find the right words to express my gratitude for such a well-organized tour and my appreciation for the high quality and on-target content. In my previous visits I received very valuable information related to continuous improvement principles and…
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Learn More About Our Kaizen Study Mission Programs
Offered several times throughout the year, the Lean Japan Tour is Shinka Management’s flagship professional development program and a leading kaizen study mission catering to global industry professionals. Designed to deliver deep insights into lean management and continuous improvement, the program combines practical training with real-world factory visits and expert-led discussions.
While all Shinka Management Japan study tours follow a consistent structure rooted in the principles of the Toyota Production System, each program is uniquely shaped by the timing, region, and availability of host companies. This tailored approach ensures every group experiences a dynamic and diverse program, with access to a range of industries and lean maturity levels. Participants gain firsthand exposure to best practices in lean implementation, from world-class manufacturers to innovative SMEs.
Learn more about our Japan study missions, and view detailed program information, upcoming tour dates, and reflections from past Lean Japan Tour participants. Whether you’re aiming to build foundational knowledge or seeking practical ideas to support your organization’s lean journey, our tours offer a powerful and transformative learning experience.
Participating Companies in Shinka Management Kaizen Study Missions
Contact us about a Lean Japan Tour
Speak to us about our kaizen study mission programs, or secure your position now.