13 popular factory tours in Osaka Prefecture. A trip that adults can learn from, including tastings and craft experiences

(Food-related industry has much fun in experiences of tasting and sampling!)

Learn about the history of instant ramen at the Cup Noodle Museum Osaka Ikeda

At the Cup Noodles Museum in Ikeda, Osaka, the birthplace of instant ramen, you can learn about the history of this now global food through a variety of exhibits and attractions.

Among the many exhibits and attractions, the most popular is "The Story of Momofuku Ando and Instant Ramen." It chronologically introduces the story of the invention of instant ramen and its development history, as well as displays of quotes left behind by Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant ramen and the man who changed food culture around the world.

There are also a variety of other attractions, such as the "My Cup Noodle Factory" where you can make your own original cup noodle, and the "Chicken Ramen Factory" where you can make Chicken Ramen from wheat flour. After your tour, why not stop by the museum shop to check out the souvenirs, including Hiyoko-chan goods?

Cup Noodle Museum Osaka Ikeda

Meiji Naruhodo Factory Osaka: A unique chocolate bar-shaped shop

The Meiji Naruhodo Factory Osaka has an eye-catching exterior shaped like a giant chocolate bar. The Meiji Naruhodo Factory is a facility where you can experience Meiji's commitment to "deliciousness, fun, health, and peace of mind," and has seven locations across the country.

At the Osaka factory in Takatsuki City, you can see the chocolate manufacturing process and learn about the nutritional value and health benefits of chocolate. In addition to learning about the origin and history of precious cacao beans and the process from cultivation to making chocolate, you can also see the molding and packaging process of Kinoko no Yama and Takenoko no Sato, hit products of the Meiji era.

Meiji Naruhodo Factory Osaka (Takatsuki)

Yogurt made in a safe and secure environment: Meiji Naruhodo Factory Kansai

Meiji's Kansai Factory in Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture, mainly produces milk, dairy drinks, and fermented milk, and you can tour the production lines for drinking yogurt, soft yogurt, and cup yogurt while listening to guided explanations.

After learning about yogurt and milk, which is its main ingredient, in the multipurpose room, you can walk along a 120m long observation corridor and see through glass the process of how yogurt is made. Yogurt is made one after another in a factory equipped with the latest automated equipment.

The hygiene management and inspection system at the factory are explained in an easy-to-understand manner using panels. Because it is a product that we eat so often, it is reassuring to know that it is made in such a thoroughly managed and clean environment.

Meiji Naruhodo Factory Kansai (Kaizuka)

"Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. Ezaki Memorial Hall" brings back memories of childhood

The Ezaki Memorial Museum was established in 1972 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the food manufacturer Ezaki Glico. It displays documents, products, toys, and other items related to the company's founder, Ezaki Riichi, since its founding. Some of the exhibits have been recognized as modern industrial heritage by the country, and were registered as urban landscape resources of Osaka City in 2017.

Among the items on display are the "Glico vending machine with movie," "historical Glico toys," and "diorama of historical Glico signs," which are especially popular with adults as they bring back memories of the excitement you felt when you held a Glico toy in your hands as a child.

Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. Ezaki Memorial Museum

Tour the manufacturing process of Osaka's famous milk bun "Tsukigesho" at the "Tsukigesho Factory"

A classic Osaka souvenir is the milky bun "Tsukigesho." With a soft aroma of milk and butter, "Tsukigesho" is a hit product from Aoki Shofuan, with cumulative sales of 100 million units. The "Tsukikesho Factory" was opened so that visitors could see, learn, and taste the secret behind the deliciousness of "Tsukigesho." In addition to being able to see the manufacturing process of "Tsukigesho," visitors can also try freshly baked "Tsukigesho" and make their own sweets.

Baking is by reservation only (additional charge required), but with the support of factory members, you can make authentic cakes and Japanese sweets.

The shop inside the factory sells Aoki Shofuan sweets and original character goods. There are also limited items that can only be purchased here, so be sure to check them out.

Tsukigesho Factory

"Asahi Beer Museum" is an interactive museum where you can experience the best beer

The Asahi Beer factory tour offers surprises and excitement with the concept of "a place where you can encounter the best, most memorable drink." It is an experiential museum that can be enjoyed not only by beer lovers, but also by those who don't drink much alcohol.

"SUPER DRY Go-Ride" is a space that evokes the process of canning beer, with images projected onto four screens that convey the speed and intensity of the production process. You can experience the sense of reality as if you were riding on a beer can. "SUPER DRY 318 THE DIVE" focuses on yeast, which determines the taste of beer. Using virtual reality (VR) technology, it dynamically depicts what is happening inside the fermentation tank from the yeast's point of view.

After the factory tour, you can enjoy your own original drink at "MY FLA-BAR" by selecting your preferred alcohol content and flavor. When you set the special glass on the server, the liquid will bubble up from the bottom of the glass in a swirling motion, creating a very exciting experience.

Why not try this new factory tour that overturns the conventional concept of factory tours and is like a theme park?

Asahi Beer Museum

Enter the profound world of wine. Katashimo Winery, the creator of Kawachi Wine

After beer, the next big thing is wine. It may come as a surprise, but Osaka has a local wine called "Kawachi Wine," produced by Katashimo Winery in Kashiwara City.

Here you will see the vineyards where the wine is made and the factory where it is actually made.

You can explore the fields built on the steep slopes of the mountain and the old houses nearby. You can learn not only about the wine but also about the background of how it is made, and thus experience the profound meaning of wine.

After the tour, you can enjoy a tasting in a traditional Japanese house built about 130 years ago. Find the wine that's perfect for you. The storehouse, a nationally registered tangible cultural property, also displays winemaking equipment from the Meiji and Taisho periods.

Katashimo Winery

Discover the secret behind the deliciousness of everyone's favorite Mister Donut at the Mister Donut Museum

Mister Donut is popular with people of all ages and genders. At the Mister Donut Museum on the first floor of the Duskin Museum, you can learn about the history of Mister Donut and the secret behind its deliciousness, as well as experience making your own donuts (reservations required) and creating your own original donut ball toppings.

Recommended for adults is the "Mister Donut History" exhibiting all the donuts and original goods from the past. You'll be excited to see the nostalgic products and think, "I loved this donut!" or "I used to collect this goods." You're sure to have a great time finding a store you often visited in "My Mister Donut Shop," which displays photos of all the stores that have opened so far.

In the "Donut Ball Topping Experience" available for registration on the day, you can make your very own original donut. Decorate the donut ball with your favorite toppings.

Mister Donut Museum

<Go behind the scenes of everyday life items!>

"Cleaning Hall" where you can learn the importance of cleaning, which is essential in daily life

If you visit the aforementioned Mister Donut Museum, you should also stop by the Cleaning Hall on the second floor of the Duskin Museum. Here you can learn about the history, culture, and tools of cleaning that you may think you know but surprisingly don't.

This place is full of fun things to learn about cleaning. In the "Cleaning Studio," which recreates a living room, you can try cleaning with a mop, and there is also a dust visualization experience where you can actually see the house dust and fine dust floating in the air.

Knowing where the dust that you normally can't see is located may give you a new appreciation for the importance of daily cleaning.

Cleaning Center

Learn about the recycling of mops and mats at Duskin Osaka Central Factory

If you are interested in sustainable initiatives, we also recommend a tour of the Duskin Osaka Central Factory, located on the north bank of the Kanzaki River.

Since its founding, Duskin has operated a recycling-based rental system for mops and mats. At the Osaka Central Factory, you can learn about the process by which used and dirty mops and mats are brought to the factory, washed, processed, dried, packaged, and then delivered back to you.

This will give you a strong reminder that taking care of things and reusing them repeatedly leads to environmental conservation.

Duskin Osaka Central Factory

Experience the craftsmanship of craftsmen in one of Japan's leading knife-making regions: Sakai Denshokan Sakai Knife Museum CUT

Sakai City, where the Sakai Denshokan Sakai Knife Museum CUT is located, is home to many ancient tombs, including the Emperor Nintoku Tomb, and it is said that the people who built these tombs laid the foundations of blacksmithing techniques. In particular, Sakai forged knives are designated as traditional crafts, and most of the knives used by chefs are made in Sakai.

This facility uses actual items and models to clearly explain the history and manufacturing methods of Sakai knives. There are various exhibits related to knives, such as a chandelier made from approximately 300 knife materials and a belt hammer, a blacksmith's tool.

If you're lucky, we recommend a sharpening demonstration where you can see a skilled craftsman sharpen a knife up close (only available on certain days of the week. Check the website for details). Knife sharpening classes are also held regularly, so if you're interested, please contact us.

Sakai Denshokan Sakai Knife Museum CUT

Osaka Gas Gas Science Museum: A look at the present and future of the global environment and energy

The Osaka Gas Gas Science Museum, located within the Osaka Gas Semboku Works No. 2 Plant, is an experiential facility where visitors can learn about the global environment and the present and future of energy, primarily gas.

In addition to learning about the current efforts being made to convert natural gas extracted overseas into city gas and electricity, you will also learn about efforts being made toward the future, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality in order to stop global warming.

You will explore the museum while taking quizzes using tablets, then board a bus to tour the factory. In the experimental zone, a cold and hot experiment using liquefied nitrogen will introduce the properties of LNG (liquefied natural gas) in a fun way. You will also gain a deeper understanding of renewable energy by experiencing wind and solar power generation for yourself.

The environment and energy are inseparable from our lives. Why not take this opportunity to think about it as something that concerns you personally?

Osaka Gas Gas Science Museum

Osaka City Sewerage Science Museum: Learn about sewers, which are all around us but that we don't know much about

The Osaka City Sewage Science Museum, located a seven-minute walk from Hanshin Yodogawa Station, reopened in April 2022 with the aim of making sewers, which we don't usually see, more familiar to visitors. At this facility, you can learn about the importance and function of sewers by "seeing," "touching," and "experiencing" them.

First, you'll get to experience the sewer system up close in the theater on the third floor, and then on the fourth floor you'll learn about the relationship between sewage and our lives, how the system works, and the process of sewage treatment through exhibits that stimulate the five senses. The attraction of this facility is that you can deepen your knowledge of the sewer system while having fun, through exhibits that allow you to get hands-on and a microorganism shooting game.

Osaka City Sewerage Science Museum

We have introduced factory tour spots in Osaka Prefecture that will satisfy the intellectual desires of adults. By going on a factory tour, you will be able to look at the food you have eaten and the services you have received from a different perspective, and you will be able to understand their appeal and feel more grateful. By the way, the factory tour spots are located away from the center of Osaka, so they may also be an opportunity to experience the local charm of Osaka.

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