By the end of World War II, much in the country had been destroyed. A quarter of the capital, a quarter of the infrastructure, and 82 percent of the ships had been destroyed. The Korean War (1950-1953) gave a major boost to the Japanese economy. South Korea was supported by the United Nations, led by the United States. The United States military needed a lot of military equipment, and because Japan is close to Korea, they decided to have this equipment produced in Japan. This revived the economy and led to the efficient and high-quality production that Japan is still known for. At the same time, Japan was also a country that had been very isolated for centuries, developing its own culture.
During this study tour we will experience the way of working and living on the one hand and the special way of production on the other. What can we as the Netherlands learn from this? During this 10-day trip, you will experience the efficiency of the Land of the Rising Sun. By coach, we will visit various companies around the country, and during a ride on the Bullet train, you will experience Japanese punctuality. During the company visits, local Senseis and CEOs will outline how they are meeting these challenges. They will also tell us how they are dealing with high inflation, an aging population and digital transformation.
We are introduced to Japanese cultural heritage and the unique Japanese landscape. We will stay in Tokyo, Nagoya and Kyoto in luxury hotels. A Japanese interpreter and tour guide accompany us on this trip.
For whom.
Anyone looking for inspiration on cultural heritage, continuous improvement and digital transformation.
Highlights
Visiting Toyota, traveling on the Shinkansen (Bullet train), visiting the Dutch Embassy and more.
Duration
10 days (Fri. 10 to Sun. May 19, 2024)
Retrospective
Click here to read the report of the previous study tour to Japan
Final Report
If you want a good idea of how the trip went and what to expect for the new study tour to Japan, read our final report.
Final Report
A JOURNEY FULL OF VARIETY AND INSPIRATION
During this study tour, we will experience how Japanese companies are working on quality and efficiency, as well as digital transformation. During our previous study tour, we experienced that there is a dichotomy in Japanese business. On the one hand, there are companies that have stayed in the 1980s because of the particular cultural aspects. Through successful application of Kaizen, these companies still manage to make great products. In addition, there are companies that are really working with the future and digital transformation. We will visit both types of companies. And there is much to be learned from both approaches. This journey is a combination of culture, history, challenges such as aging and inflation, as well as working toward the future. Japanese Senseis and CEOs talk about how they are handling their own transformation.
In addition to efficiency, Japanese culture is characterized by respect, hospitality(Omotenashi) and craftsmanship(Monozukuri). Therefore, during this trip much attention is paid to cultural aspects, nature and relaxation. This trip offers you the opportunity to step away from contemporary practices and be inspired by this extremely interesting country. You will go home with a great experience and many practical improvement ideas.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?
The program below is subject to change. The final program will be finalized in early 2024.
Fri. May 10th: Outward flight
Friday we will leave from Schiphol Airport at 11:55 a.m., via Helsinki, for Tokyo. (collect at the gate).
Za. May 11th: Arrival
We land at 1 p.m. at Tokyo (Narita). We will be picked up there by our local guide and depart by coach to the magnificent “Shinagawa Prince Hotel.
So. May 12th: Visit Tokyo
After breakfast, we as participants will get to know each other and take stock of what everyone’s learning goals are from this study tour. After lunch, we will see a number of sights in Tokyo, including the Tsukiji fish market, Kita-No-Maru Park, the Imperial Palace, and Meiji Jingu Park, containing an iconic Buddhist temple. In the evening, we headed to the Shibuya entertainment district which includes the world’s busiest crosswalk and several Karaoke bars.
Mon. May 13th: Meeting of Dutch Embassy Tokyo
On Monday morning, we visit the Dutch Embassy in Tokyo. Here there will be a presentation on “Doing business in Japan” and Japan’s new economic policy “Society 5.0. This presentation will provide a framework of the economic situation and culture in Japan. This is very important to understand what we are all going to experience during the rest of the week. In the afternoon we will go to Kashiwa-no-ha Smart city where we will see the way of life in a futuristic city.
Tue. May 14th: Travel by Bullet Train and visit Toyota
After breakfast, we will leave by our coach for Hirayama Kaizen institute where we will be trained by a Japanese Sensei in the application of Kaizen in the continuous improvement of processes. Even for participants already familiar with Kaizen, this will be an experience, as we will focus on the cultural differences between Japan and Western society. In the evening we depart on the Shinkansen “Bullet Train” to Nagoya, the industrial heart of Japan. From the train, in good weather conditions, you have a view of Mount Fuji. We are staying two nights at “Nagoya Tokyu Hotel.
Wed. May 15th: AVEX Tado Factory and Kuwana Factory
We begin with a visit to the “Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. Here the entire history of Toyota is told from the first loom to modern Toyota production. Through various workshops, you can see and experience for yourself how Toyota’s manufacturing principles are put into practice. After lunch we will visit AVEX Tado’s “Kuwana factory,” a Smart factory for the production of high-precision turning and milling products for the automotive sector.
Thu. May 16th: Kawasaki
After breakfast, we will take the Shinkansen to Kawasaki in Kobe, a modern factory of high-performance machinery. In the afternoon and evening, we will experience Osaka’s busy nightlife. We return to our hotel in Nagoya late in the evening.
Fri. May 17th: Mitsubishi Electric Nagoya Works
In the morning we will visit “Mitsubishi Electric Nagoya Works,” a world leader in the manufacture and sale of electrical and electronic equipment used in power and electrical systems, industrial automation, information and communication systems. In the afternoon, we will leave by our coach for Kyoto. If you want to explore tradition, culture and temples, Kyoto is the place to be. You will find more temples here than churches in Rome or mosques in Istanbul. Kyoto has a rich history and is one of the world’s most culturally rich cities.
Za. May 18th: Sightseeing Kyoto
Saturday we continue our cultural tour of Kyoto. Among other things, we visit Fushimi Inari-taisha. This Shrine is best known for its galleries, which are covered by thousands of scarlet torii (gates). We will also visit Rokuonji Temple, with its golden pavilion and Kiyomizu-dera, also called “Clear Water Temple,” a huge wooden Buddhist temple.
So. May 19th: Schiphol
Sunday, after checking out, we will visit some sights in Kyoto. There may be room for a free program. We conclude with a farewell dinner after which we depart for Osaka airport. via (Helsinke) back to Amsterdam. We arrive at Schiphol Airport on Monday morning.
This unique 10-day study tour to Japan costs €6,750 excl. VAT, all-in.
That includes:
- Flight and accommodation
- Breakfast, lunches
- Four dinners, including drinks
- Interpreter, entrance fees and gratuities
- Transfers (including Bullet train and bus)
Costs not included:
- Travel costs to and from Schiphol Airport
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Three dinners (on your own in groups)
More information?
Want to learn more about this trip or receive the full 2023 trip report? Then contact us at 053 – 20 30 240 or using the form below!
You will receive a Japanese certificate at the end of the trip. The trip is organized in cooperation with:
