Masking tape “mt” is a familiar sight at shops and events around Kurashiki City.
It is manufactured by KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD., headquartered in Katashima-cho, Kurashiki City. Among mt fans, Kurashiki is also famous as “the birthplace of mt.”
Once a year, KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD. holds an “mt factory tour,” offering a chance to visit its head office factory. The 2026 tour began on Friday, March 20 (a public holiday).
I joined on Saturday, March 21, the second day of the tour, and will share what the factory visit was like.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in March 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is mt factory tour vol.15?
“mt” is short for “masking tape” and is the brand name of masking tape sold by KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD. for stationery and general merchandise.
Founded in 1923, KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD. began by manufacturing fly-catching paper. Today, its main business is selling industrial products such as adhesive tape. Drawing on its adhesive-tape manufacturing expertise, the company began producing and selling “mt,” colorful, beautifully designed masking tape, in 2008. It has become hugely popular not only in Japan but overseas as well.
The factory tour, “mt factory tour,” which began in 2012, is held once a year and gives visitors a special opportunity to tour the KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD. factory. It has become an eagerly anticipated event for Kurashiki residents and mt fans alike.
The 15th tour, held in 2026, ran from March 20 to April 2. There were reportedly around 40,000 applications for approximately 10,000 places.
Can you join from the cancellation waiting list?
Due to the large number of applications, as a rule, only people with reservations can join mt factory tour vol.15.
However, if seats become available on the buses or cancellations open up on the day, you may be able to join by waiting for cancellations at Kamoi Parking.
Since participation is not guaranteed, they say they cannot provide information even if you inquire in advance about the number of available places.
Joining the mt factory tour
I visited on Saturday, March 21.
Many people had gathered at Kamoi Parking in front of JR Kurashiki Station, the meeting point, as it was a three-day weekend.
We headed to the head office factory in Katashima-cho aboard the familiar wrapped bus.
After about a 20-minute bus ride, we arrived at the factory and were guided to Factory No. 2.5.
See how mt is made
The winning number was announced at Factory No. 2.5, and one person received a commemorative gift.
After that, we watched a video introducing the history of mt, and the factory tour began.
Inside the factory, a KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD. employee carefully explained the “process of making mt” in front of the machinery.
Artworks at the venue
After the factory tour, visitors can explore designated areas of the grounds.
The basic program was much the same as in previous years, but this time there were more displays of works such as tape art throughout the venue.
Festival Games Area
In addition to popular attractions such as the “mt Fill-It-Up” corner, this year the festival games area featured “mt Fishing” and “Smart Ball.”
Shopping at the mt Shop
Of course, the mt Shop is also well stocked.
A wide variety of mt tapes and mt goods were on sale, from standard products to limited-edition mt tapes.
Interview with Ogino Sana
“mt factory tour” draws many visitors not only from Kurashiki City but also from across Okayama Prefecture and beyond.
We spoke with Ogino Sana, who is in charge of planning and public relations at KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD.
Could you tell us how the mt factory tour came about?
Ogino (honorifics omitted)
We hold it every year because we want to invite end users (customers and users) once a year to see the manufacturing process and factory floor where masking tape (mt) is actually made.
We also want visitors to do more than simply tour the factory—we hope they can enjoy Kurashiki, the birthplace of mt, as a whole city. To that end, we have arranged initiatives such as offering limited-edition tape to visitors who eat local specialties or shop at nearby businesses (support shops), including those in the Bikan Historical Area.
This is the 15th tour. Is there a highlight this year?
Ogino
This time, the main highlight is an exhibition centered on art.
In conjunction with the event at Kurashiki Ivy Square, tape art created by artists from Japan and abroad is displayed throughout the factory. The factory also features illustrated diaries by artist Ishimura Yoshinari.
We have also added new activities to the festival games area so that regular visitors who come every year can enjoy a fresh experience. These include “mt Fishing,” which makes use of the tape’s adhesive properties, and “Smart Ball,” where prizes are awarded according to the numbered spaces the balls land in. They’re activities that groups and families can enjoy together.
Finally, do you have a message for visitors and our readers?
Ogino
I hope you’ll make lots of “travel memories” through the mt factory tour.
As a memorable activity this time, we set up an “mt-pattern photo sticker booth” at the parking area where visitors gather. Please enjoy taking photos with the people you came with, perhaps before heading home.
We sincerely hope you’ll create many experiences and travel memories in this space—not only by shopping, but also by taking photos with the factory’s art and photo spots as your backdrop.
From the Writer
I’ve visited the mt factory tour several times in the past. Although its basic format remains the same, there are small changes every year.
Participants can tell that the event is planned with mt fans in mind, which is why they enjoy and support it. Proof of this could be seen in the tote bags distributed to participants, packed full of mt products, and heard in the voices on the bus ride back, with people saying, “Let’s go to this shop next.”
The following events are also being held in Kurashiki City to coincide with the mt factory tour.
- mt ex at Aibi Red Brick Hall 2026
※Through April 12, 2026 - mt archive vol.4 -tapes,events,and posters at Sami House
※Through April 2, 2026
Why not visit during this period, when Kurashiki is buzzing with mt?
Articles about KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD.
mt factory tour vol.15 details
| Name | mt factory tour vol.15 |
|---|---|
| Dates | March 20 (Friday)–April 2 (Thursday), 2026 |
| Location | 236 Katashima-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission (tax included) | 500 yen |
| Website | mt factory tour |
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