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…
Participating in the Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour was a transformative experience. The tour offered a rare opportunity to witness world-class lean practices in action at leading Japanese organisations. From visiting Toyota’s manufacturing facilities to learning directly from lean practitioners, every moment was an invaluable learning experience. The insights gained into kaizen, waste reduction, and…
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Having completed several graduate courses in lean production and management during my MSc in Industrial Engineering, I was no stranger to the principles and theories that underpin this field. However, the opportunity to embark on the Lean Japan Tour with Shinka Management was nothing short of transformative. It strengthened my understanding of lean practices to…
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The Lean Japan Tour allowed me to understand in a practical and conceptual way the real essence of just-in-time and operational efficiency. The dedication of the team and their attention to detail have made this an unforgettable experience.
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From a remote rural engineering company – to the shining lights of Japan’s finest. I have returned overwhelmed from the experience to learn from some of the worlds best manufacturers and absorb decades of experience from my fellow peers. Highly recommended and treat it as a sound investment for your company’s future!
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Not for the fainthearted, this action-packed tour will blow you away. It’s a one-week learning adventure supercharged with information on TPS (Lean) principles. The learning experiences and companies visited far exceeded expectations. The Japanese managers we met were friendly and excited to share their experiences. If you desire change within your organisation and are not…
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Contact us about a Lean Japan Tour
Speak to us about our kaizen tours and other lean training programs.