6 Japanese Whisky Distilleries to Visit

Visit Japanese Whisky Distilleries While You are in Japan

Japanese whisky is experiencing tremendous popularity all over the world, so while you’re in Japan, why not visit a Japanese whisky distillery? It can be difficult to make a reservation for a tour at some of the popular distilleries, but there are some other great options worth checking out, particular for those willing to venture a little off the beaten path.

* Prices correct as of October 2024

Yamazaki Distillery – Osaka Prefecture

Yamazaki doesn’t need much introduction. Owned by Suntory, it is probably the most famous Japanese whisky brand, along with its sister brands Hakushu and Hibiki. The Yamazaki Distillery is located in Osaka, near the Osaka-Kyoto border, and is the oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan. Reservations can be made through a lottery system on their website. 

Yamazaki Distillery
Official Website
Price: 3000 yen (regular tour) / 10000 yen (prestige tour)
Reservation required: Yes, through a lottery on the website
English tours available: Yes

* See also Yamazaki’s sister distillery, Hakushu, in Yamagata prefecture.

Yoichi Distillery – Hokkaido

Yoichi’s founder, Masataka Taketsuru, went to Scotland in 1918 to study whisky distilling, and upon returning to Japan was a key figure in the establishment of Suntory’s Yamazaki Distillery. In 1934, he left Suntory to start his own company (which would later be renamed Nikka) and opened the Yoichi Distillery west of Sapporo in Hokkaido. Yoichi has coal-fired pot stills, which is something of a rarity these days. The free tour (reservations necessary) includes three drinks, and there is a tasting counter where you can sample other whiskies for a fee. 

Yoichi Distillery
Official Website
Price: Free
Reservation required: Yes
English tours available: No

* See also Yoichi’s sister distillery, Miyagikyo, in Miyagi prefecture.

Eigashima Distillery (aka White Oak Distillery) – Hyogo Prefecture

Eigashima Shuzo was founded in Akashi city, Hyogo Prefecture in 1888. Originally a producer of sake, they now also produce shochu, umeshu, wine, and whisky. Eigashima was the first company in Japan to obtain a whisky distilling licence, although they didn’t actually start producing whisky until the 1960s. Now, most of their single malts (and some of their blended whiskies) are released under the Akashi brand name. They have been known to experiment with various types of casks, such as sake casks, shochu casks, or tequila casks. Eigashima offers tours of their sake and whisky facilities, but only in Japanese. 

Eigashima Distillery
Official Website
Price: Free
Reservation required: Yes
English tours available: No

Shizuoka Distillery – Shizuoka Prefecture

One of a number of Japanese distilleries that emerged in the mid-2010s, Shizuoka Distillery opened in 2016. A point of interest for whisky nerds is that one of Shizuoka’s pot stills was originally used at the legendary Karuizawa distillery, which closed down in 2000. Other interesting points to note: they also have a wood-fired pot still, and they use cedar washbacks (in addition to more traditional Oregon pine washbacks). Shizuoka’s whisky can be difficult to find, but it’s worth tracking down.

Shizuoka Distillery
Official Website
Price: 1100 yen (plus extra for tasting)
Reservation required:  Yes, on their website (Japanese only)
English tours available: No

Kanosuke Distillery – Kagoshima Prefecture

Kanosuke Distillery opened in 2017. Whereas most craft distilleries have two pot stills, Kanosuke has three, each with different neck shapes and lyne arm angles, allowing them to produce a wider range of distillates. Kanosuke is owned by Komasa Jyozo, a shochu distillery that was founded in 1883, and this is reflected in the use of ex-shochu casks (among other types of casks) to mature Kanosuke’s whisky. The distillery is located on the coast west of Kagoshima city, and features a bar with a view of the ocean.

Kanosuke Distillery
Official Website
Price: 1000 yen
Reservation required: Yes
English tours available: Sometimes

Komoro Distillery – Nagano Prefecture

There’s quite a lot of buzz around Komoro Distillery, mainly due to the involvement of Ian Chang of Kavalan fame. It sounds like he will be bringing a number of ideas with him from Kavalan, including the use of STR casks, but there will also be a focus on whiskies with age statements. The distillery itself features striking modern architecture, a restaurant, and a whisky academy where people can learn more about whisky. The newest distillery on this list, Komoro’s first whisky will be released in 2026 at the earliest.

Komoro Distillery
Official Website
Price: 2500 yen (tour) / 3800-8000 yen (whisky academy classes)
Reservation required: Yes
English tours available: Yes

Other Whisky Distilleries That Offer Tours

Other notable distilleries include the Hakushu Distillery in Yamanashi, known for its mountain spring water; Miyagikyo Distillery in Miyagi, which offers a contrasting style to Yoichi’s smoky whiskies; and the Mars Shinshu Distillery in Nagano, the highest-altitude distillery in Japan. The Mars Tsunuki Distillery in Kagoshima, located in a warmer climate, highlights a different maturation style compared to its sister distillery in Nagano. Meanwhile, Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery in Shizuoka boasts one of the largest production facilities, and the coastal Sakurao Distillery in Hiroshima combines whisky-making with the spirit of its region.

Whether you’re a seasoned whisky enthusiast or a curious traveler, these distilleries offer a deep dive into the artistry and tradition behind Japanese whisky. Be sure to plan ahead, as reservations are often required, and some tours may only be available in Japanese.