For many car lovers, visiting a Japanese automobile factory is a dream come true.
Major manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Subaru offer factory tours where visitors can see how Japan’s iconic cars are made.
However, booking a factory tour in Japan isn’t always easy. Advance reservations are often required, and slots for foreign tourists may be limited.
This guide explains the details of each tour, which factory tours are available, how to make a reservation, and the best alternatives if you’re unable to secure a spot.
Best Car Factory Tours in Japan
Here are some of the best automobile factory tours in Japan:
- Toyota (Lexus) Miyata Plant
- Honda Saitama Factory
- Nissan Tochigi Plant
- Subaru Factory & Visitor Center
Each offers a unique experience depending on the brand and production process.
Can Foreigners Visit Car Factories in Japan?
Of course! foreigners can visit some car factories in Japan, but there are limitations.
Some tours require Japanese language understanding, while others offer limited English support.
Advance booking is usually required, and availability can change depending on the season.
Toyota (Lexus) Miyata Plant
Toyota offers factory tours at four locations across Japan: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Aichi, and Fukuoka Prefecture. Note that as of October 2024, the Aichi plant tours are temporarily suspended. Among these facilities, the Miyata Plant in Fukuoka stands out as Toyota’s premier Lexus manufacturing site. Here, visitors can witness the production of luxury vehicles up close, making it a must-visit destination for automotive enthusiasts. The facility showcases Toyota’s most advanced manufacturing processes and is the only Lexus factory that welcomes public tours in Japan.
About Miyata Plant
The Toyota (Lexus) Miyata Plant is one of the best factory tours in Japan and one of the few places where you can see Lexus vehicles being produced.
Located in Fukuoka, this plant specializes in luxury models such as the Lexus RX, NX, and ES. It is also the only Lexus production facility in Japan that offers public factory tours.
main production vehicles
The Miyata Plant specializes in Lexus vehicle production, manufacturing some of the brand’s most popular models:
- Lexus ES (Luxury Sedan)
- Lexus UX (Compact Luxury Crossover)
- Lexus RX (Luxury SUV)
- Lexus NX (Compact Luxury SUV)
This facility is unique as it produces both Lexus sedans and SUVs under one roof, showcasing Toyota’s flexible manufacturing capabilities. Each vehicle is crafted with the legendary attention to detail that Lexus is known for, making this plant a cornerstone of Toyota’s luxury vehicle production.
What to expect
- Observe Lexus production lines up close
- Learn about Toyota’s manufacturing system (TPS)
- Visit a PR pavilion with Lexus displays
features of the plant
- Environmentally friendly: In addition to engines, hybrid systems are also produced.
- Highly efficient production: The plant features efficient production lines based on the Toyota Production System (TPS).
Tour Information and How to Make a Reservation
The Miyata Plant welcomes visitors with guided tours that showcase Toyota’s luxury vehicle production. During your visit, you’ll explore the PR Pavilion featuring the latest Lexus models on display, watch an informative theater presentation about the production process, and experience special demonstrations of the craftsmanship that creates these high-quality vehicles.
While the tours are free of charge, advance reservations are required. For the most up-to-date tour schedules and to make your booking, please visit the official Toyota Kyushu English website: Toyota Kyushu English Website
fee
Free of charge
Access Information
How to Get There
- From Fukuoka Airport: 90 minutes by taxi or rental car
- From Fukuoka City: Take the JR Kagoshima Line to Keisen Station (40 min), then taxi (15 min)
- From Tokyo: 2.5 hours by plane to Fukuoka Airport + local transport
Parking
Free parking available on site. Follow signs for visitor parking.
Note
While public transportation is possible, we recommend using a rental car or taxi for easier access. The plant is located in an industrial area not directly served by public buses.
(Option）Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
For those who cannot go to Kyushu but can go to Aichi Prefecture, we recommend the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology.
location
4-1-35 Noritake-shinmachi, Nishi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Description
Exhibits allow visitors to learn about Toyota’s history and technology, and to observe actual production lines and automobile manufacturing processes.
Features
Not only Toyota automobiles, but also loom technology is on display, allowing visitors to experience Toyota’s diverse technological capabilities. In addition, the museum is the birthplace of the Toyota Group, and a factory from the Taisho era has been preserved as an industrial heritage site!
fee
| Adult | Over 65 | Uni students | Jr. Senior High | Elementry | |
| General | ¥1,000 | ¥600 | ¥500 | ¥300 | ¥200 |
| W/ Toyota Museum | ¥1,800 | ¥980 | ― | ¥640 | ¥460 |
You can also visit the Toyota Museum for a good price! You can read more about the Toyota Museum in our previous article “5 very famous car museums in Japan”.
Honda Saitama Plant
About Honda Saitama Plant
The Honda Saitama Factory is one of the most popular car factory tours in Japan, especially for visitors staying in Tokyo.
Located less than one hour from central Tokyo, this factory offers one of the most accessible and informative factory tours.
location
1-10-1, Sinsayama 1-chome, Sayama-shi, Saitama
main vehicles produced
Three main vehicles roll off the production line at Honda’s Saitama Factory. The Civic Type R, Honda’s thoroughbred performance car. The Step WGN, a spacious family van. And the ZR-V, a modern crossover SUV. Each vehicle represents a different facet of Honda’s automotive expertise, all manufactured under one roof
What to expect
- Guided tour of the production line
- See models like the Civic Type R and ZR-V
- Learn about Honda’s engineering philosophy
Tour Information and Booking
The Honda Saitama Factory offers guided tours lasting approximately 90 minutes. Plan well ahead for your visit – reservations must be made at least 2 months in advance due to high demand. Currently, tour information and bookings are available through the official website, which is only in Japanese: Honda Saitama Factory Website
Note: If you don’t speak Japanese, we recommend asking your hotel concierge or a Japanese-speaking friend to help with the reservation process.
fee
Free of charge
Nissan Tochigi Plant
About Nissan Tochigi Plant
The Nissan Tochigi Plant is one of the largest automobile factories in Japan and is known for producing high-performance vehicles such as the GT-R and Fairlady Z.
This makes it one of the most interesting factory tours for sports car lovers.
If you are searching for a Nissan factory tour in Japan, this is one of the main facilities to check.
main vehicles produced
Three main vehicles are manufactured at the Tochigi Plant. The legendary GT-R, Nissan’s ultimate supercar. The iconic Fairlady Z, continuing the heritage of Nissan’s famous sports car lineup. And the innovative Ariya, representing Nissan’s next generation of electric vehicles.
plant features
- Largest area: The plant boasts the largest area among Nissan’s plants in Japan.
- Technological innovation: Nissan has introduced advanced manufacturing technology and quality control to produce high quality vehicles. 4.
Tour Information & Booking
Tours for the general public are temporarily suspended as of February 2026. Please check the official website for updates.
When available, the facility offers comprehensive two-hour tours featuring:
- Production line observation
- Technical exhibitions
- Virtual painting demonstration
- Plant history presentation
Tours are free of charge and require advance reservation through the official website: Nissan Tochigi Plant Tours
fee
Free of charge
location
1-10-1, Sinsayama 1-chome, Sayama-shi, Saitama
SUBARU Visitor Center and Factory
About SUBARU Visitor Center and Factory
The Subaru plant in Gunma Prefecture offers a unique factory tour that focuses on Subaru’s signature technologies, such as the boxer engine and all-wheel-drive system.
Visitors first tour the “Subaru Visitor Center,” which introduces the brand’s history and innovations in safety technology, before participating in a guided factory tour. This tour is one of Japan’s premier factory tours for Subaru fans and anyone interested in engineering and safety technology.
main vehicles produced
Four main vehicles are crafted at the Subaru Gunma Plant. The versatile Legacy sedan, the adventure-ready Outback wagon, the compact Crosstrek crossover, and the popular Forester SUV. Each model embodies Subaru’s commitment to all-wheel drive technology and safety, all built under the same roof.
plant features and booking
The SUBARU Visitor Center opened on July 15, 2003, and is a facility that introduces to visitors to the plant successive generations of SUBARU cars, SUBARU’s unique technologies and safety initiatives. After touring the facility, visitors are guided on factory tours by a full-time guide. There are no tours of the Visitor Center exhibit only, which is a privilege only for those who tour the factory!
tour information
- SUBARU Visitor Center (viewing of a video explaining the plant, exhibition hall), production plant tour (final assembly process), video tour (pressing process, body welding and assembly process, painting process)
- Advance reservations are required for factory tours. Reservations can be made through the official website.
- Official website: https://subaru-factory.resv.jp/#ippan
- Time required: about 1 hour and 45 minutes
fee
Free of charge
The SUBARU Visitor Center is a very attractive place for those who are interested in SUBARU cars and its technology. After all, the fact that you can enter the SUBARU Business Center, which is exclusively for plant visitors, is very attractive! We recommend checking the official website for the latest information on tours and events.
location
1-1 Shoya-cho, Ota-shi, Gunma
What to Do If You Can’t Book a Factory Tour
Factory tours in Japan are extremely popular and often difficult to book.
Many require reservations weeks or even months in advance, and some are only available in Japanese. Because of this, many visitors are unable to join a factory tour during their trip.
However, there are still many great ways to experience Japanese car culture.
Here are some alternative options:
Explore Car Museums
If you want to learn more about Japanese automotive history, visiting car museums is a great option.
Museums provide detailed exhibits and are often easier to access than factory tours.
→See our list of car museums in Japan
Visit Famous Car Spots in Japan
If you want to see real car culture in Japan, visiting famous car spots is highly recommended.
One of the most popular destinations is Daikoku Parking Area, where car enthusiasts gather at night.
→Read our full guide to Daikoku Parking Area
Drive a Japanese Sports Car Yourself
Another unforgettable experience is driving a Japanese sports car such as the Toyota GR86.
Even as a foreign visitor, it is possible to rent a car and enjoy driving in Japan.
→ Learn how to rent a GR86 or GR Yaris in Japan
Visit Car Shops and Showrooms
You can also explore Japan’s automotive culture by visiting large car shops and showrooms.
Stores like A PIT Autobacs offer a wide range of tuning parts, accessories, and car-related products.
→Check out A PIT Autobacs Shinonome Tokyo
Summary
Have you decided which manufacturer’s automobile factory you would like to visit? Most manufacturers offer factory tours free of charge, and it is nice to be able to enjoy and learn for free! All manufacturers always require reservations, so be sure to make plans in advance. Also, many sites are only available in Japanese, so you will need to use Google to translate and make reservations.
If you have any questions, please feel free to message me through the contact section!
Comment Comment