Japan's food makers spice up factory tours with theme parks

As 'experience tourism' booms, companies dream up new ways to entertain visitors

20191204

Visitors at Glicopia Chiba pose with the historic icon of ice cream and sweets maker Ezaki Glico. The facility attracted over 100,000 visitors since opening in 2017.

KEIICHI YAMAGUCHI, Nikkei staff writer

SAITAMA, Japan -- Factory tours have been around for ages, a staple of corporate public relations and community outreach. But food makers in the Tokyo area are putting a new spin on these typically ho-hum visits, riding the wave of "experience tourism" by setting up mini theme parks and museums to attract visitors.

Fueki Shoyu Brewery in Saitama Prefecture is one of them. As part of its 230th anniversary celebration, the soy sauce brewery opened its Kinbue Shoyu Park on Nov. 16.

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