Activities & Experiences · Kawasaki Daishi / Suzukicho

Ajinomoto Kawasaki Plant Tour 味の素 川崎工場 見学

A free factory tour at the birthplace of Ajinomoto, the company that commercialised umami, with tastings, a look at production lines and the Umami Experience Hall beside Suzukicho Station.

About

In 1908 chemist Ikeda Kikunae identified glutamate as the source of the savoury taste he called umami, and Ajinomoto began making the seasoning in Kawasaki in 1914. Its plant beside Suzukicho Station, one stop from Kawasaki-Daishi, runs guided tours that explain umami science, show production of AJI-NO-MOTO seasoning or Cook Do sauces, and include tasting experiments; some courses let you try a "work experience" activity. The adjacent Umami Experience Hall has interactive displays. Tours are free but must be booked online, and they are popular with Japanese school groups and families, so plan ahead. It pairs easily with Kawasaki Daishi in a half-day trip from Haneda.

Highlights

• Birthplace of commercial umami seasoning (Kawasaki, 1914)
• Guided tour with tasting experiments
• Umami Experience Hall with interactive exhibits
• Free admission
• One stop from Kawasaki Daishi

Tips

• Book online: individual reservations open on the 1st of the month before
• Tours run Tuesday to Saturday for individuals (no holidays)
• Some courses were suspended in autumn 2026 for equipment work; check availability
• Tours are in Japanese; bring a translation app

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Kanayama Shrine (Kawasaki)Shrine · 360 m away
• Kawasaki Daishi (Heiken-ji)Temple · 640 m away
• Sumiyoshi (Kawasaki Daishi Kuzumochi)Café & Sweets · 700 m away
• Kawasaki Daishi Nakamise-doriShopping Street · 760 m away
• Daishi ParkPark · 960 m away
• Kawasaki RacecourseSports & Sumo · 1.3 km away
• Fujimi ParkPark · 1.4 km away
• Kawasaki City Hall Observation Lobby & Sky DeckVista & View · 2.0 km away