It's one thing to read about Lean. It's another to see it in action.
What better place to see it, than at the source, in Japan? Imagine yourself in Japan on a Lean Tour.
This is the ultimate Japan Lean Tour. Come see best-in-class manufacturing companies in action. Spend two days at a Toyota Training Dojo, putting theory into action. Come away with your own personalized Lean Roadmap, designed to help you implement a Lean Culture when you return home.
Tentative Schedule for the Week...
Sunday, November 15, 2026
Orientation Workshop
Welcome Dinner
We kick-off the Learning Mission, in the old capitol of Japan, with an unforgettable workshop that will set the foundation for helping to accelerate your knowledge and application of Lean.
Monday, November 16, 2026
Genba visit to Omron manufacturing
Lunch
Visit Ryoanji Temple
Genba visit at Hilltop
Quality Lecture – Takeo Furuya
Dinner
Today reveals how Lean thinking permeates every layer of Japanese society — from manufacturing sites that embody respect for people, to visiting a Zen temple and the world-famous rock garden to better understand Japanese culture, today we will hit the ground running
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Gemba visit at Aktio Service Center
Lunch
Toyota Museum
Dinner
We start out the day visiting the Aktio Service Center, and having lunch in Nagoya. The day culminates with a the Toyota Museum to really understand the origins of Lean in Japan. We will discuss many of the Lean principles that Toyota created and how they apply to what we've seen so far. We end the day in Gifu.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
GPS Training Center - Lean Leadership Seminar/Standard Work
Lunch
Genba visit to a manufacturing company
Kanban Training Activity
Dinner
Today you will be the start of a two-day training at the GPS Training Center. You will learn from Hyodo Sensei, a former plant manager of a nearby Toyota factory. We will be doing a hands-on Kanban activity in the evening after another plant visit.
Thursday, November 19, 2026
GPS Training Center – TPS Theory
Lunch
Kaizen Dojo – Hands on Training
Shinkansen to Tokyo
Free Evening in Tokyo
A day full of immersion in Lean thinking at the this Toyota training facility where you will see continuous improvement not as a concept, but as a living, breathing part of how things are actually built. End the day in Tokyo after taking the bullet train.
Friday, November 20, 2026
Gemba visit to Service Company
Lunch
Tokyo Lost & Found
Workshop Building Your Lean Roadmap
Graduation Dinner
This day will tie how Lean works in the service industry to create a management system that can transform your organization. We take time to reflect on what we have learned, and in our final workshop, we build our own Lean Roadmaps together and share our goals.
Saturday, November 21, 2026
Graduation after Breakfast
Tour Ends
While the Learning Mission finishes in the morning, this is only the beginning. Over the next year we will continue to hold each other accountable to the learning and implementation goals we have set in the Lean Roadmap.
There will be an optional tour of Tokyo and Kamakura for those that are interested in exploring further.
Learning Mission Host
Jared has been practicing Lean for over 20 years generating nearly a half-a-billion dollars in cost savings and revenue generation for the companies he has worked for, consulted for, and suppliers he worked with. He lived in Japan for 2 years, understands the culture and speaks the language. Jared is also the host of the Global Lean Summit and the Virtual Lean Summit, and is an Amazon Best-Selling Author of the book, "Parenting the Lean Way".
So actionable - appreciated the time to do reflection and have already put time in my calendar to execute some of the actions.
Practical and relatable examples. Jared told stories that everyone can align with which made it easy to follow his session.
I love walking away with something tangible! This was great and gave me something to strive for. Appreciate the Executive check ins.
Through our partnership with the Lean Construction Institute, members have been given access to an exclusive rate, with follow-ups and executive mentorship for the next year. Plus this is the only program to offer the Japan Kaizen Certification, the opportunity for you to demonstrate a 5X-ROI on your program investment.
Just prior to graduation we facilitate a Lean Roadmap workshop that will help you identify areas of focus for you to improve by implementing the things you will have seen and experienced in Japan. This personalized and customized Lean Roadmap takes you to the next level on your Lean Journey.
The Lean Construction Institute wanted this to be even more of a meaningful experience and so we are offering a full year of follow up executive mentorship for all attendees.
This is more than just the 30-60-90 Day follow-ups, this consists of lectures, and group sessions to help you achieve your goals.
Every participant will get their Learning Mission Certificate, but for those that complete their Lean Roadmap goals, participate in the Executive Mentorship program, and they show a minimum of $50K in cost-savings, cost-avoidance, or revenue increase, you can earn the prestigious Japan Kaizen Certification
- a Minimum 5X ROI.
"I recently had the opportunity to travel to Japan (Nov 2025) for an immersive Lean learning experience, guided by Jared Thatcher. The trip combined classroom training with real-world application, helping deepen my understanding of the purpose and theory behind many Lean tools. As a Lean Guide, this was an incredibly valuable experience. I’m grateful I went and strongly recommend these trips to anyone serious about advancing their Lean journey, regardless of experience level. Beyond the formal learning, I also appreciated the opportunity to experience local culture."
- Matthew Rassi,
Lean Manufacturing Consultant & Guide,
Twenty Helping Hands, LLC.
Imagine yourself being in Japan, seeing and learning for yourself how to implement Lean that improves your productivity and your bottom line. We look forward to having you join us.
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