(C) Kikkoman Corporation

Our daily lives are filled with thousands of manufactured products - from chocolate and ice cream to mayonnaise, cars, erasers, and newspapers - to name but a few. Have you ever wondered how these products are made?

Factory tours provide an exciting way to get some answers. Popular with kids, these fun-filled excursions also offer the chance to receive free souvenirs and purchase limited edition goods that can't be found in stores. Such tours also help to improve a company's public image. Many corporations in Japan actively promote tours of their facilities as a means of contributing to society and generating good public relations. And they aren't just giving tours; some companies also offer hands-on lessons and hold special events.