Lean Japan Tour – September 2025 – Lean Study Mission
The September 2025 Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour is scheduled from Sunday, 31st August to Saturday, 6th September. This immersive lean study mission features lean manufacturing and Toyota Production System seminars, hands-on kaizen training, factory visits with insights from senior leaders, and a range of Japanese cultural activities.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
The September 2025 Lean Japan Tour is now fully registered. Contact us to be added to the waitlist, or join one of our other scheduled programs.
Visit our Lean Tours page for more information about the tour and insights from past participants.
Reach out to us to express your interest or download the registration form to secure your spot today.
The September 2025 lean study mission welcomes English-speaking professionals from around the world.

Hosted by Shinka Management, the Lean Japan Tour provides an exceptional opportunity for participants to embark on an in-depth journey into the heart of lean management, learning directly from its origins in Japan.
This immersive lean study mission is designed for professionals seeking to gain a profound understanding of lean principles and practices, as well as the cultural context that underpins them. Participants will have the rare chance to engage directly with industry experts who bring decades of experience in implementing and sustaining lean strategies.
The tour includes exclusive visits to prominent and globally recognized factories, where participants can observe lean methodologies in action and witness the impact of continuous improvement (kaizen) on operational excellence. Through hands-on training sessions, participants will not only learn about the Toyota Production System but also apply these principles in a practical setting, gaining valuable skills to bring back to their organizations.
The program is further enriched by thought-provoking seminars and in-depth discussions with senior leaders from the host companies. These sessions provide participants with a unique opportunity to gain strategic insights into effective lean implementation, overcome common challenges, and learn best practices from those who have successfully embedded lean culture into their organizations. This comprehensive approach ensures participants leave with actionable knowledge and a renewed perspective on how to drive improvement and innovation within their own teams.

Example Itinerary based on previous lean study missions
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 | Auotomotive final assembly plant or supplier
- 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
The Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour has visited over 50 different factories, service facilities, hospitals and government offices in Japan over the course of its history. The tour schedule and factories visited vary between tours depending on time of year, host company operational requirements and tour leader preference. Sites are selected with a focus on lean and kaizen learning content rather than particular industry type.
Contact Shinka Management to learn more about the September 2025 Lean Japan Tour program agenda.
Shinka Management has hosted participants from 70 countries on lean study missions in Japan…
I attended Shinka Management’s Lean Japan Tour and it was an incredible experience. The content was highly informative and practical, offering deep insights into lean culture and principles and their real-world applications. The organisation of the program was excellent, ensuring a seamless and engaging learning experience. I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to…
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I would like to thank the Shinka team. They have been doing very well since day one of the program notification. Their work is a demonstration of the lean principles of standard work and Plan, Do, Check and Action (PDCA). The Shinka team arranged factory visits to various tiers of the automotive industry and building…
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I attended the tour in 2011 and found the whole experience very useful to build on my understanding of Lean Manufacturing. For those having a reasonable understanding of Lean this tour shows in detail the gap that Australia experiences to world class productivity practices. Most interesting was the deployment of essentially the key elements of…
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I was very impressed with the professionalism and preparedness of the Shinka team. The support both before and during the tour was fantastic. It was the right mix of culture and personal development. There were lots of learnings I will take with me.
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The overall experience on the Lean Japan Tour is great with a lot of learnings from the trainings, workshops and company and factory visits. The accommodation and meals were also well arranged with the schedule and agenda organized in a great manner. Really appreciate Ben and Paul making everything comfortable and efficient during the whole…
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Discover More About Our Lean Study Mission Programs
Offered multiple times each year, the Lean Japan Tour is Shinka Management’s premier lean professional development program, designed to provide participants with deep insights into lean management practices. While all Shinka Management lean study mission programs follow a similar framework, each tour is uniquely tailored, with factory visits and program content varying based on the availability of host companies. This ensures a fresh and dynamic experience for every tour group, offering exposure to a wide range of lean implementation examples and best practices.
For more details about our lean study missions, visit our Lean Tour page, where you can find comprehensive program information, or explore feedback from participants who have benefited from previous tours. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of lean principles or gain practical insights into lean manufacturing and kaizen, our study missions offer a transformative learning experience.
Participating Companies in Shinka Management Lean Study Missions

















Contact us about a Lean Japan Tour
Speak to us about our lean study mission programs, or secure your position now.