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.
In partnership with the Lean Construction Institute (LCI), we have built out a customized Lean Learning Mission that will expose you to Lean in manufacturing and in construction. You'll leave with your own personalized Lean roadmap to help you create a Lean Culture at home.
Tentative Schedule for the Week...
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Orientation Workshop
Visit a Temple
Welcome Dinner
The world's biggest city, has a lot to offer! As we kick-off the Learning Mission with an unforgettable workshop that will set the foundation for helping to accelerate your knowledge and application of Lean.
Monday, November 9, 2026
Bullet Train to Hamamatsu
Visit Lean City Hall Office
Lunch
Go to Gemba at Tokiwa Industries (Lean Home builder)
Dinner
Kaido Sword Experience
Today reveals how Lean thinking permeates every layer of Japanese society — from construction sites, and service industries, to city government. The day closes with the opportunity to use a real Katana or Samurai sword, perhaps the ultimate symbol of Kaizen — centuries of relentless refinement in the pursuit of obtaining a perfect edge.
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Gemba at Sekisui House
Lunch
Okazaki Castle Visit
Quality Lecture – Takeo Furuya
Dinner
From the job site to the boardroom, Day 3 traces the DNA of Japanese discipline. We'll see Lean construction in practice, then follow its cultural roots back to the samurai code of Bushido. The day culminates with a former Toyota plant manager, a true Toyota Sensei revealing what a true Lean culture looks like from the inside.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Mifune Manufacturing - TPS and Supplier Development
Lunch
Genba visit to a General Contractor
Dinner
Onsen Experience (Optional)
Today you will experience Kodawari — the Japanese relentless pursuit of perfection in craftsmanship. We will visit a Tier 1 Toyota supplier and we will explore traditional Japanese construction — engineered to flex and absorb the energy of earthquakes, and sliding screens to breathe naturally through Japan's sweltering, humid summers — all without a single nail.
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Site Visit - TBD
Lunch
Visit Traditional Manufacturing
Lean Leadership Seminar with
Hyodo Sensei
Free Evening in Nagoya
A day full of immersion in Lean thinking at its source with two powerful Gemba visits 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 really understanding what Lean Leadership is from Hyodo Sensei a former Toyota plant manager.
Friday, November 13, 2026
Gemba visit to Ikedo Manufacturing
Lunch
Toyota Museum
Workshop Building Your Lean Roadmap
Graduation Dinner
This day will tie how Lean works across manufacturing, service, and construction industries 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 13, 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 Nara & Kyoto 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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