Melted snow from the surrounding alps is used in the distillation process, creating a sweet, smoky flavor profile in the whisky. Surrounded by a pine forest and spectacular mountain ranges, the Hakushu Distillery has a close relationship to the natural environment and even hosts a bird sanctuary on its grounds. Nestled in the splendor of the Japanese Alps, the Hakushu Distillery is another Suntory establishment, a two-and-a-half-hour train ride west of Tokyo. Hakushu and Yamazaki whiskies ( photo by Daiji Hirata CC BY) Hakushu Distillery (Yamanashi Prefecture) Today, Akuto is well-known across Japan’s whisky landscape, since the Chichibu Distillery, while still relatively small, has a reputation for experimentation that has earned fans across the world.Ĭhichibu is located in the mountainous Saitama Prefecture around two hours from Tokyo, and while the distillery itself doesn’t run formal “open hours” for visitors, it is possible to arrange a tour by calling ahead.ĭuring your time at Chichibu, keep an eye out for the distillery’s Mizunara oak washbacks and copper stills, and make sure to try varieties of Ichiro’s Malt brand (among many others). Where whisky is made at Chichibu Distillery (photo by Dekanta) Chichibu Distillery (Saitama Prefecture)Īfter the famous Hanyu Distillery closed in 2000, Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the original owner, bought the remaining casks and continued his family’s legacy by establishing the Chichibu Distillery in 2007. Beyond tasting and production insight, visitors can look forward to the Yamazaki Whisky Library, where more than 7,000 bottles of whisky have been assembled. Tours of the distillery can be crowded, so booking as far in advance as possible is wise.

Home of the famous 12 Year Old (named the “World’s Best Whisky” at the International Spirits Challenge in 2003), Yamazaki also produces the popular 18 and 25 Year Olds using water drawn from Tennozan’s mountain streams. It’s located on Honshu between the cities of Osaka and Kyoto, at the foot of Mount Tennozan. Founded in 1923 by the godfather of Japanese whisky, Shinjiro Torii, Yamazaki is Japan’s oldest distillery. No tour of Japan’s whisky distilleries would be complete without a stop at the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery.

If you’re planning your own glimpse behind the scenes of Japanese whisky making, we’ve put together a list of the country’s most interesting distilleries to help you map out your perfect Japanese whisky tour! Inside Suntory Yamazaki Distillery (photo by Dekanta) Suntory Yamazaki Distillery (Osaka Prefecture) Whisky fans from across the world have taken note, and distillery visits offer whisky enthusiasts a way to simultaneously experience Japan while indulging in its proud whisky tradition. Today, Japanese whiskies have won both international acclaim and a variety of prestigious industry awards, but behind this rising global popularity is a production tradition shared across a relatively small number of historic distilleries.įound throughout Japan, these distilleries showcase the country’s beauty, along with a whisky-making culture that is both pleasantly familiar yet intriguingly distinct from Western convention. Japanese whisky (note: it’s spelled whisky, not whiskey, in Japan) has been finding its way into homes, bars, and restaurants all over the world, particularly since the late 20th century. As the popularity of its whisky grows, an increasing number of beverage-loving travelers are designing trips around visits to the various Japanese whisky distilleries located throughout the country.

Nikka whiskey factory