by Bryce Marley-Jarrett
They are the number one car manufacturer in the world, with the most popular car in the world in their brand (the Toyota Corolla). It's not surprising that Toyota offer a variety of museums and tours for the public in Japan to see their vast history, the exciting future and also get a first hand look at the manufacturing of their legendary cars. Today Japlanning have the must see guide for any car aficionado visiting Japan, with the attractions on offer to see Japan's most famous auto maker, Toyota.
Toyota has a long history that spans back to 1933 when it began as a division of the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, with their focus to be on developing an automobile, their first vehicles, a passenger car and a truck known as the A1 and G1 were released in 1935. Shortly after, in 1937, the Automobile division split off into it's own company, known as The Toyota Motor Co.
With such a rich history, the company has expanded over Japan, however has most of its tourist offerings near its major manufacturing operations around Nagoya, however they do have attractions in Tokyo as well.
Let's take a look at all things Toyota you can experience in Japan.
Photo Credit - Marufish
Now although Toyota isn't technically in Nagoya, it still has some attractions, and also it is the easiest city to access Toyota from, Toyota is actually located in the city of... you guessed it Toyota, about an hours outside Nagoya.
Toyota Kaikan Museum
Photo Credit - larique
In a small town by the same name, Toyota, you will find the company's headquarters, and next to it you will find the major Toyota museum, the Toyota Kaikan Museum.
In the museum you will see rotating exhibitions of Toyota's latest and greatest vehicles on display, as well as concept models and prototypes of future technologies they are working on. Some exhibits are hands-on, and you can sit in all the new cars on display as well.
The museum also shows off Toyota's research and progress in the world of robotics, as well as driving simulators showing off Toyota's technology in a virtual reality setting. All exhibits are bilingual so you won't have to worry about a language barrier.
Toyota Kaikan Museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 5:00pm. The museum is closed on Sundays and Toyota public holidays (best to check out the official website calendar for dates here.)
Admission - Free
Access to Toyota Kaikan Museum from Nagoya is easiest by taking the following route
- Take the JR Tokaido Line from Nagoya Station to Okazaki Station (30 mins, can take rapid service)
- Change to the Aichikanjo Line at Okazaki Station and take the train to Mikawa-Toyota Station.
- Walk 15 minutes to Toyota Kaikan Museum
(the official website has walking direction PDF for printing here.)
Toyota Factory Tours
This is one of the only places in the world where you can have a tour and see how Toyota cars are created.
You will be taken on a two hour tour of the factory and see how they build the cars you drive in today, from metal pieces to moving vehicles, the tours are in both Japanese and English as well so you will know exactly what is going on.
If you have ever wanted to see the systems and processes involved in creating our most used form of transportation this is the tour for you.
Best part is, the tours depart right from the Toyota Kaikan Museum we mentioned above. It's important that if you want to go on a tour that you reserve your spot for an available day. Bookings are available from 2 weeks to several months out, and it can book out fast. Bookings can be made here.
Also note that not cameras or mobile phones are allowed on your tour.
Toyota's Factory tours are run once a day at 11:00am Monday to Friday, you must be checked in by 10:30am. Bookings are essential. Bookings can be made here.
Admission - Free
Access to Toyota Kaikan Museum from Nagoya is easiest by taking the following route
- Take the JR Tokaido Line from Nagoya Station to Okazaki Station (30 mins, can take rapid service)
- Change to the Aichikanjo Line at Okazaki Station and take the train to Mikawa-Toyota Station.
- Walk 15 minutes to Toyota Kaikan Museum
(the official website has walking direction PDF for printing here.)
Toyota Techno Museum
Photo Credit - blakeread
If you don't want to take the time to travel 1 hour + out to Toyota's headquarters, you can visit the Toyota Techno Museum in central Nagoya. Also known as the Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, this museum takes you through the history of Toyota from its birth in the 1930's as a textile machinery builder, to it's present day standing as the largest automobile maker on the planet.
Here also you will see many exhibits about the technologies that have evolved in automobiles and also how they have modernised the car making process.
The Toyota Techno Museum is open from 9:30am until 5:00pm Tuesday to Sunday. They are closed Mondays and public holidays. For more information about the museum check out their english website here.
Admission - 500¥
The best way to get to the museum is by taking the JR Tokai Line one stop to Sako Station and it is a 5 minute walk across the road.
Toyota Automobile Museum
Photo Credit - greenboxhouse
Finally in the Nagoya region we have the Toyota Automobile Museum. Here you will find a massive collection of Japanese, European and American cars, ranging from the earliest vehicles in automobile history from the 1800's to the 1960's.
The main goal of the museum is to guide you through the progress of car technologies and also the changes in cultures since the birth of the automobile.
The museum is quite large and has its permanent exhibitions of cars as well as rotating exhibitions that change out several times a year. It's a great mix of interactive museum and also amazing vehicles to marvel from the past few centuries. If you're an avid car lover or photographer you will love this museum.
The Toyota Automobile Museum is open from 9:30am until 5:00pm Tuesday to Sunday. They are closed Mondays and public holidays. For more information about the museum check out their english website here.
Admission - 1000¥
To get to the museum from Nagoya, take the Higashiyama Subway line to Fujigaoka and change to the Linimo Line. Jump off the train at Geidaidori Station and the Museum is about a 5 minute walk.
Photo Credit - karrickk
If a stop in Nagoya isn't on your itinerary, and you would love to see some Toyota attractions, don't fret, Toyota have you covered! With the spectacular Toyota Mega Web, located on Odaiba island in Tokyo.
Photo Credit - mujitra
The exhibition, recently refurbished from the ground up, is unlike any other. It is part indoor Toyota theme park, part dealership, part showcase.
Here you can see the latest and the soon to be released in the Toyota line up (great peek into what we will all get in 2+ years in other parts of the world), and you can test drive many of them on a special track they have along the building.
Photo Credit - juliepics
For the kids, they have a ride one centre, where they can try out mini cars themselves and also learn about traffic laws. For the older kids and adults, you will also find many simulators to try out and get a feel for the technologies they are developing for the cars you may drive.
Also nearby is the Toyota History Garage, here you will get a glimpse of the history of the automobile and see dozens of cars from throughout history on display, through an elaborately themed exhibition that looks like old Tokyo. You can also jump into go karts here and go for a race.
Tokyo Mega Web and the History Garage are open daily from 11:00am to 10:00pm with several exhibits and demonstrations having varying close times, check out the official english website for more information here.
Admission - Free
To get to Tokyo Megaweb from anywhere in Tokyo, you need to get to JR Shimbashi, and take a short walk outside the station to the Yurikamome Train Station. Take the Yurikamome train line, which travels around Odaiba Island, and disembark at Aomi station.