In recent years, Japanese whisky has become a popular go-to for whisky drinkers, gaining international acclaim for its quality and craftsmanship. Enthusiasts have noted that some of their favourite Scotch whiskies are now on par with these upcoming, refined Japanese whiskies.
With a rich history dating back to the early 20th century, whisky distilleries in Japan combine traditional Scottish techniques with unique Japanese precision and innovation. Today, these are some of the most sought-after bottles in the world, with trying them featured on many Japanese food and drink itineraries. Let’s have a look at some of the best whisky distilleries in Japan and learn a little more about the intricate whisky-making process!
A Quick Intro to Japanese Whisky
Japanese whisky all started with one man, Masataka Taketsuru. In 1923, Taketsuru travelled to Scotland to study organic chemistry. After acquiring a taste for fine Scotch whisky, he returned to Japan to begin working at the Yamazaki distillery. It was there that Japan produced its first authentic whisky.
Whiskies can be enjoyed in different ways in Japan. A popular way to drink it is as a highball, which is whisky combined with a mixer. This can even be found in cans. However, typically, fine Japanese whiskies are still enjoyed neat, with ice, or with still water (mizuwari).
So that’s an overview of Japanese whisky. Now, let’s have a look at some of the best whisky distilleries in Japan.
Must-Visit Whisky Distilleries in Japan
Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery (Hokkaido)
Referring back to Taketsuru, he believed that a location with a cool, humid climate similar to Scotland, rich water sources, and clean, dignified air was essential for ideal whisky production. Therefore, he selected Yoichi, located at the base of the Shakotan Peninsula west of Otaru, from a variety of candidate sites.
You can stop by just to visit the shop and main area, but the best thing to do is to book one of the FREE guided distillery tours. They’re an hour long, but only available in Japanese and need booking in advance. You can’t explore without a guide, so if you want to see inside the actual distillery, you’ll need to join the tour.
Location:
7-6 Kurokawa, Hokkaido 046-0003
Opening Hours:
Mon to Sun, from 9 am to 3:30 pm
Website:
https://www.nikka.com/distilleries/yoichi/
Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery (Sendai)
The Yoichi Nikka Whisky Distillery might be the original, but the Miyagikyo location in Sendai has to be the most beautiful. Its location in a stunning green valley was chosen in 1969 by Taketsuru’s son in an area called “Mori no Miyako” or Miyaki’s City of Forest. It turned out to be ideal for whisky-making with pristine soft water flowing from the Zao Mountain Range, and cool mountain air that helps the whisky ageing process.
The distillery has two main areas: the distillery processing building,s which are reservation-only, and the free entry area where you’ll find the tasting room and gift shop. Without booking a tour, you can visit the gift shop or pay to do a tasting, but with the tour (which is also 100% free) you get to see the whole whisky-making process. Like in Yoichi, it is in Japanese, but you do get a free whisky tasting!
Location:
1 Nikka, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 989-3433
Opening Hours:
Mon to Sun, from 9:15 am to 4 pm
Website:
https://www.nikka.com/en/distilleries/miyagikyo
Kamui Whisky (Hokkaido)
Kamui Whisky was started in 2019 by American entrepreneur Casey Wall. Wall, who had visited the island of Rishiri many times over several years, decided to use the location for the site of Japan’s northernmost whisky distillery due to its cool climate. This makes Rishiri similar to Islay, a Scottish island famous for its whisky. The facilities, including the distillery and office, are approximately 180 square metres in size. It is a one-storey wooden structure with black-painted walls and two distillation machines hand-made by craftsmen in the USA.
Now, we have to warn you, this whisky distillery is REMOTE. As in, it’s on a tiny island off the coast of the northern-most part of Hokkaido (and Japan). To get there, you’ll most likely need to drive to Cape Noshappu, then catch a ferry to the volcanic island.
If you do make the trip (which we do recommend if you have the time/ability), then you can take a 45-minute tour of the entire distillery that costs ¥2,500 per person. You can make a reservation in advance, then will need to pay in person on the day. You can also visit without a reservation to peruse the visitor centre and gift shop.
Just as a note, the Kamui Whisky distillery shuts to visitors every winter, usually between November and March, as it’s too cold to operate!
Location:
128-2 Aza Kamii, Kutsugata, Rishiri-cho, Rishiri-gun, Hokkaido, 097-0401
Opening Hours:
April to October, with 4 pm tours on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat
Website:
Venture Whisky Chichibu Distillery (Saitama)
Famously known for its ‘Ichiro’s Malt,’ Chichibu Distillery started in 2008 with large ambitions. It is crucial that this distillery stays faithful to its Scottish counterparts; therefore, staff travel to the UK every year to study whisky processes.
All the whiskies developed here have incredible reputations and have won many awards. Their whiskies are enjoyed all over the world. In 2019, they held a whisky festival where visitors were able to sample some of the products from the range released so far. The constant queues at the booth showed the popularity of Ichiro’s Malt.
The distillery is not open to the public, but you can visit (and even get a tasting) if you make an appointment in advance. The easiest way to do this is to call (0494-62-4601) so long as you can speak Japanese. Otherwise, you can reach out via their Facebook or Instagram page.
Location:
49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu, Saitama, 368-0067.
Opening Hours:
Mon to Sat, from 9 am to 5 pm
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/ChichibuDistillery/
Niigata Beer Shinobu Distillery (Niigata)
Niigata’s craft brewery started distilling whisky in 2016 with the aim of using local fresh water to provide spirits enthusiasts with quality whisky. The distillery imports original spirit matured in sherry and bourbon casks from distilleries around the world and mixes it at the Niigata factory (Niigata City) to make the whisky ‘Koshino Shinobu.’ There aren’t tours here, but you can visit to see the outside of the distillery, and taste its produce at many nearby stores.
Location:
5120 Echizenhama, Nishigamaku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, 953-0012
Website:
Suntory Spirits Hakushu Distillery (Yamanashi)
The Hakushu Distillery is characterised by a variety of different types of original whisky, which is unparalleled in the world. In the fermentation process, the distillery uses wooden fermentation vats with excellent heat retention properties, and the lactic acid bacteria and other micro-organisms that live in the distillery produce the distinctive flavour unique to Hakushu.
There are lots of options for any whisky enthusiasts interested in visiting the Suntory Spirits Hakushu Distillery:
- General admission: A free visit to the whisky museum and the central house area
- Hakushu Forest Mini-Tour: A free 30-minute tour of the Hakushu Forest that surrounds the distillery to learn about how the distillery’s processes work with the surrounding nature
- The Hakushu Distillery Manufacturing Tour: A 90-minute tour of the whole distillery for ¥3,000. Getting tickets is a lottery system, so you need to apply in advance.
- Story of Hakushu Tour: A whisky-tasting tour that lasts around 140 minutes, designed to teach you about the quality and flavour of the whisky. Tickets are also a lottery system.
Location:
2913-1 Toribara, Hakushu-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi, 408-0316
Opening Hours:
Mon to Sun, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Website:
https://www.suntory.co.jp/factory/hakushu/
Suntory Yamazaki Distillery (Osaka)
Yamazaki is easily one of the most famous, prestigious, and sought-after whiskies in Japan (maybe even the world). The distillery is beautifully located underneath Mount Tenno, just southwest of Kyoto, and is Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery. It was founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, who wanted to create a whisky that would suit delicate palates with an authentic Japanese taste.
If you visit, there’s a gift shop and a visually stunning tasting lounge where you can try different variations of the incredible single malt whisky. For tours, there are two options, both of which use a lottery system to assign tickets.
- Yamazaki Distillery Manufacturing Tour: An 80-minute tour of the distillery for ¥3,000, which includes a whisky tasting
- The Yamazaki Distillery Prestige Tour: A 2-hour in-depth tour and tasting experience for ¥10,000. It includes a full manufacturing tour with VIP access, and a tasting of the rare Suntory Yamazaki 12-Year Unblended Single Malt Whisky
Location:
5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto, Mishima, Osaka, 618-0001
Opening Hours:
Thurs to Tues, from 10 am to 4:45 pm
Website:
https://www.suntory.co.jp/factory/hakushu/
Kirin Distillery Fuji Gotemba Distillery (Shizuoka)
Fuji Gotemba Distillery has been particular about the production of grain whisky, which uses corn and wheat as whisky ingredients. Grain whisky is generally produced using continuous distillation.
This distillery was established as a joint venture between Kirin, JE Seagram, and the Seabass Brothers, which led to the opening of the distillery a year later. In 2016, Fuji Gotemba Distillery Single Grain Whisky Aged 25 Years Small Batch won the World’s Best Grain Award at the World Whisky Awards 2016. On 27 March 2020, Kirin Single Grain Whisky Fuji 30 Years won the World’s Best Grain Award at the World Whisky Awards 2020.
This is one of the best whisky distilleries in Japan to visit, as it’s free and you don’t need a reservation to explore. Aside from the distillery itself, there’s also a (paid) tasting area, an observation deck with Mount Fuji views, and the Giraffe Forest, a lovely woodland area that surrounds the distillery. You can also book a tour for ¥500, which lasts 80 minutes and includes a whisky tasting.
Location:
970 Shibafuda, Gotemba, Shizuoka, 412-0003
Opening Hours:
Tues to Sun, from 9:30 am to 4 pm
Website:
https://www.kirin.co.jp/experience/factory/gotemba
Enjoying Japanese Whisky
Japanese whisky is a rapidly growing market, with options available that rival even some of the finest Scotch whiskies. Known for their meticulous craftsmanship and unique flavours, Japanese whisky distilleries offer a distinctive experience that whisky enthusiasts shouldn’t miss.
Why not take the opportunity to visit a distillery and experience firsthand the rich history, innovative techniques, and exquisite taste that make Japanese whisky so exceptional? Whether you’re sampling a highball or savouring a single malt, a visit to one of these distilleries promises an unforgettable journey into the world of Japanese alcohol.
Japanese Whisky Distilleries FAQs
Where is the best whiskey in Japan?
Japan’s best whisky is often found in regions known for pure water and cool climates, such as Hokkaido, Yoichi, Hakushu, and Yamazaki, which are frequently praised for their award-winning craftsmanship and distinctive flavour profiles.
Can you visit Japanese whisky distilleries?
Yes! Many Japanese whisky distilleries offer tours and tastings as you’ll see from this list! There are some that can only be visited with a reservation or pre-booked tour, but others have free areas that don’t require a tour or entrance fee.
What is the most famous whisky in Japan?
The most famous Japanese whisky is generally considered to be Yamazaki, but other iconic names include Hibiki and Hakushu, which are also globally recognised and widely sought after.
Is Yamazaki Distillery worth visiting?
Absolutely! The distillery is filled with interesting history, with the chance to tour all the facilities and taste rare and incredible single malt Yamamazaki whiskies. If you’re a Japanese whisky enthusiast (or just a whisky lover in general), we think you’ll have a great time on a visit to the distillery.
Can I visit Yamazaki Distillery without a reservation?
You can! You won’t be able to tour the entire distillery, but you can visit the gift shop, tasting lounge, and central house area.
