Customer tour held in Kumamoto

Factory marks 50th anniversary

Production line and quality control process on display

A scene from "Honda Motorcycle Homecoming Kumamoto 2026," a customer invitation event hosted by Honda Korea in Kumamoto, Japan, from Thursday to Monday. [Honda Korea]
A scene from "Honda Motorcycle Homecoming Kumamoto 2026," a customer invitation event hosted by Honda Korea in Kumamoto, Japan, from Thursday to Monday. [Honda Korea]

Honda Korea invited domestic motorcycle customers to Kumamoto, Japan, for a program combining a factory tour with local riding. Marking the 50th anniversary of the Kumamoto factory this year, the event gave participants a firsthand look at everything from the motorcycle manufacturing process to the latest electrification technology.

Honda Korea announced Tuesday that it held the customer invitation event "Honda Motorcycle Homecoming Kumamoto 2026" in Kumamoto, Japan, over five days from Thursday to Monday.

The event brings customers to the Kumamoto region, home to one of Honda's main production bases for large motorcycles. Running since 2018, the overseas customer program combines factory tours with local sightseeing and motorcycle-related experiences.

This year's program included a riding tour through the area around Mount Aso in Kumamoto, a factory visit and a Homecoming Day festival. Participants rode along major local roads, took in the natural scenery and visited the facility where Honda motorcycles are produced.

The Homecoming Day was organized around the themes of "heritage" and "technology" to mark the factory's 50th anniversary. Guided by factory staff, participants examined the motorcycle assembly line, production processes and quality control systems.

The Kumamoto plant is Honda's only motorcycle production factory in Japan. Production was disrupted by an earthquake that struck the Kumamoto area in late July, but the factory resumed full vehicle production in late August.

Beyond the production facility tour, the program also featured motorsport and electrification technology experiences. Honda's HRC team, which won this year's Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race, demonstrated the pit-stop procedures it carries out during actual competition.

Electric motorcycles also drew attention. Honda showcased a demonstration ride of the WN7, its electric naked motorcycle.

Additional programs included a talk show in which motorcycle developers explained the development process and technology behind their machines, as well as riding simulators and other activities.

One customer who attended said the chance to tour the Kumamoto factory — normally off-limits to the public — left a strong impression. "It gave me an even greater sense of pride as a Honda motorcycle owner," the customer said.

Another participant said they had signed up after hearing the tour had a 100 percent satisfaction rate among past attendees. "Compared to every other overseas motorcycle tour I've been on, this was the first time I was satisfied in every single way," the participant said. "The beautiful scenery, the joy of riding together and the special memories we made — I think this will stay with me for a long time."

Honda Korea President Lee Ji-hong said he hoped the event conveyed the values and passion that originated at the birthplace of Honda motorcycles. "We will continue to develop a variety of programs that expand the special motorcycle experiences we offer our customers," Lee said.


kwater@heraldcorp.com