Visit Glico Factory (Pocky and Pretz Factory) - Part 1, Japan


Ezaki Glico or we know as Glico, name of Japanese food company founded by Riichi Ezaki at Osaka. The company manufactures variety of products such as confectioneries (Pocky, Pretz, Caplico, Bisco, Glico), dairy products, ice cream and etc. if you are interest in factory visiting, you can do it for free. There are 3 factories open for general visitors, advance registration is required.




1. Glicopia Kobe (Hyogo)

Glicopia Kobe provides free factory tour about snacks and food such as Pocky, Pretz. It was renovated in October 2018. There are 5 times daily except Friday for factory tour: 10:00 / 11:00 / 13:00 / 14:00 / 15:00. Tour takes 80 minutes; watching video, watch the manufacturing process, play game. 

You can make your Bisco snack with 1,500 yen (1 set for 2 people). There are only 2 times; 10:00 and 13:00. It takes 70 minutes. 

Opening Hours: 09:30-16:30
Closing Day: Friday, Bon Holiday / New Year Holiday / Factory Maintenance
Contact Number: 078-991- 3693 

Access

Seishin-Yamate Line Seishin-chuo Station (Kobe City Subway), West Exit. Then, take Shinki bus to Takatsukadai-1chome (高塚台1丁目). One minute walk or take taxi about 10 minutes from Seishin-chuo Station.

Website

2. Glicopia East (Saitama)

Glicopia East is located in Saitama, also provides free factory tour, similar to Glicopia Kobe. For more detail, please see the below information.

Access


Kitamoto Station, East Exit. Take Ken-chan bus to Glico Factory (10 minutes). Short walk to factory.

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:00
Contact number: 048-593-8811

Website



3. Glicopia Chiba

Glicopia Chiba opened in 2017 for factory visit. This factory offers free ice cream tour. There are 6 times daily except Friday; 09:30 / 10:30 / 11:30 / 12:30 / 13:30 / 14:30. The tour takes 70 minutes. Maximum number for online reservation is 14 people. Reservation by phone is for group with more than 15 people.

The Tour starts with watching video about history and ice cream, then see the production line and try some product sample. You can pay 1,500 yen (1 set for 2 people) to make handmade ice cream.

Access

Take taxi for 10 minutes from Atago Station (Tobu Noda Line). No route bus.

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:00
Contact number: 04-7127-3355

Website

Here is the presentation of Pocky Factory Tour




While I was planning to Saitama, I made a list of sightseeing places in this region. I planned to visit Railway Museum which is close to train station. Unfortunately, the museum is close on Tuesday. That's why I changed my schedule and found that Glicopia East is not too far and interesting place. I will review only Glicopia East.

You cannot visit factory without advance reservation. The advance reservation maximum is 4 months before the date. I made a reservation 2 months in advance. Please make a reservation as soon as your plan finalizes. There is possibility that some rounds are fully booked quickly. On the day I chose, there is a big group of seniors (around 20 people) plus small groups. You can make an online reservation maximum 9 people. Above 10 people or more or use wheelchairs, make a reservation by phone. Contact TEL 048-593-8811.

Reception Hours: 09:00-16:00



I believe that the questions come to your mind will be:

1. Allow foreigners to visit?  Yes
2. Cannot speak Japanese, is it ok? Yes
3. The staff also speaks in English? No. If you just want to observe and experience in this kind of tour, that's ok because I am also don't understand all what they said.
4. Free admission? Yes, only extra activity has fee such as ice cream making.
5. Can take photo inside. Yes only some areas.


Firstly, I will introduce about online reservation of Glicopia East. Go to website.
Check the vacancy before make a reservation.



There are 4 times daily except Friday. Duration is 70 minutes. 
09:30 / 11:00 / 12:30 / 14:00

○ Vacant seats △  Only a few seats left    × Full    

Choose your prefer date and time.


Fill in the blank in Japanese. If you don't know how to write your name in Japanese, you can use google translate. It is not serious if you spell wrong a little bit. After complete the form, click next.


The confirmation will be sent to your email. Click the link in your email within 24 hours for confirmation. No need to print it, can save on your mobile. You will receive notification email one week and one day before your meeting time. You should arrive factory prior 10-15 minutes. If you are unable to come on the date and without contact the staff, you will be refused for the next reservation.



Continue the 2nd part, click here

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2 Comments

  1. Hi, this is great info. Do you know if the factory allows parking on site for those who drive? thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are parking lot for 40 cars. I think it's free parking but should inform the staff about your car license plate. Anyway, please check with staff after finish your registration.

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