Lean Japan Tour – March 2025 – Shinka Management Kaizen Tour
The March 2025 Lean Japan Tour will be held on Sunday 9th through to Saturday 15th March. The kaizen tour will include lean seminars, practical kaizen training, visits to factories for discussions with senior leaders and Japanese cultural experiences.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
For further details of the tour and to read about past visits see our Lean Japan Tour page.
Contact us to express your interest in participating or download the registration form to sign up now.
The March 2025 lean study tour is targeted at English-speaking professionals from across the globe.

The Lean Japan Tour, hosted by Shinka Management, provides a comprehensive exploration of lean management practices, directly from the birthplace of these methodologies. This kaizen tour program offers participants the chance to engage with experts in the field, visit renowned factories, experience hands-on lean training, study the Toyota Production System and observe lean implementation and culture in action. The program also includes seminars and discussions with senior leaders, offering insights into the successful implementation of lean strategies.
During this journey in Japan, participants will experience Japan’s unique culture, gaining a holistic understanding of how cultural elements influence business practices and lean thinking. This kaizen tour program is ideal for professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and application of lean principles in their organizations.
Example Itinerary (subject to change)
Sunday: Arrive Tokyo
- Tokyo Sightseeing / Free Time
- Orientation & Japanese Business Etiquette 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 | Toyota Final Assembly Plant
- Factory Tour | Precision tools manufacturer
Friday: Site Visit & Debriefing
- Site visit | Automotive Parts Supplier
- Toyota Commemorative Museum
- Final seminar and Tour Debrief Session
- Return to Tokyo
- Farewell Dinner in Shibuya
Saturday: Tokyo – Recovery and Sightseeing
- Tokyo Sightseeing | Asakusa and Ginza
- Departure
Learn more about our kaizen tour programs
The Lean Japan Tour, run several times annually, is Shinka Management’s flagship lean professional development program. All kaizen tour programs have a similar structure, however the selection of factory visits and program content varies from tour to tour depending on host company availability.
For further information about our kaizen tours, see our Lean Tour page, or read through feedback from previous lean tour participants.
What our kaizen tour participants have said…
A great tour. Having spent over 20 years in manufacturing I now understand the true meaning of Kaizen.
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Personally and professionally I found the week extraordinarily rewarding – not only as a fantastic Lean Japan Tour but as a cultural experience not to be missed. Imagine if you will… taking a group of people you had never met before, under your wing, in one of the most crowded cities in the world. Plenty…
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This trip really enlightened me in some specific lean topics and showed me all the beneficial aspects of lean manufacturing. The biggest take away for me was a deeper appreciation of not just the tools but the philosophy. The way the trip was organised and flowed was amazing. Thanks to Paul and David from Shinka…
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During my bachelor’s degree I studied TPS and lean extensively but having the theoretical knowledge is very different to actually seeing it and getting the chance to implement it in the practical center. I have enjoyed my time during the tour and learned a lot about how TPS is actually implemented. The tour was very…
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I really liked the Lean Japan Tour, since it combines theoretical training, workshops and visits to different companies. It is different to see firsthand how the different methodologies work and take the time to understand that it is part of the organizational culture. Thank you Shinka Management team. Now let’s get to work…!!
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Contact us about a Lean Japan Tour
Speak to us about our kaizen tours and other lean training programs.