Going on a Japan whisky tour is a great way for whisky lovers to get closer to the drink. Japanese whisky is known worldwide for its distinctive flavours, attention to detail and precise blending, and many fans treat a good bottle as a work of art. Japanese distilleries have created spirits that stand out in the whisky world by combining traditional Scottish methods with Japanese precision.
If you’re planning a trip, many of Japan’s best known distilleries welcome visitors. Most offer tours of how their whisky is made and a chance to taste what they produce, although the big names need booking weeks ahead and Chichibu does not open to the public at all.
Japanese distilleries offer a fascinating range of experiences, from historic landmarks to young craft producers. Suntory’s Yamazaki Distillery, where construction began in 1923, was Japan’s first malt whisky distillery. At the other end of the scale, the much younger Chichibu Distillery is known for its excellent small batch whiskies.
In this article, we list the best distilleries in Japan to visit and explain what each one offers and what to expect if you book a tour. Visiting a Japanese distillery will help you understand the care and expertise that go into making Japanese whisky. If you are new to the drink, our beginner’s guide to Japanese whisky covers the main styles and names before you go.
Whisky Tasting Experiences in Japan
Image credit: Photo: Zhizhou Deng, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A visit to a Japanese distillery usually ends with a tasting of several whiskies, each with its own flavours and aromas. Guides explain how the local water, climate and wood shape those flavours, and tell the story of the brand and how its whiskies are made.
Of course, you’ll be offered samples to drink, so eat well beforehand rather than arriving on an empty stomach. Tastings are only for visitors aged 20 and over, which is the legal drinking age in Japan.
Flavours and Types of Whisky
There’s an extensive selection of whiskies made in Japan, showcasing diverse flavour profiles from smooth and subtle to strong and smokey. Some examples are the single malts from the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, which are known for having rich but refined flavours that often include fruity and woody notes. On the other hand, Nikka Yoichi Distillery makes whisky the traditional Scottish way: powerful and peaty. Finding out how each company creates its whisky is one of the main charms of going on a Japanese whisky tour.
How Japanese Whisky Is Made, From Raw Materials to Cask
Image credit: Suntory
A booking at one of these Japanese distilleries usually includes an in-depth tour of each stage the whisky goes through. Visitors can see all the careful steps that are taken, from choosing the best raw materials to fermenting, distilling and ageing the spirit. Suntory’s Hakushu Distillery, for example, uses clean water from the forests of the Southern Alps, which gives its whisky notes of herbs and freshness.
Japanese whisky is known for having a good balance of flavours. This is often achieved by mixing various malts and grains together. Innovative methods, like ageing in Mizunara oak casks, give the liquor distinct flavours, such as sandalwood and coconut.
We’re barely scratching the surface here, as a tour at one of Japan’s many distilleries will tell you all you need to know. Who knows, maybe you won’t just want that Strong Zero from the konbini anymore!
Planning Your Japan Whisky Tour: Booking, Language and Transport
Image credit: Photo: Dime Gontar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Planning ahead is important before going on a Japan whisky tour. Follow these tips to make sure that everything goes down as smoothly as Japanese whisky itself!
Firstly, the best known distilleries need booking well ahead. Suntory’s paid tours at Yamazaki and Hakushu are allocated by an online lottery, and entries for each month’s tours open roughly two months beforehand. Elsewhere, booking a few weeks ahead is usually enough, especially in the busy seasons. The best times to embark on a Japan whisky tour are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these months, the weather is generally pleasant, making it an ideal time to explore the beautiful landscapes surrounding the distilleries and enjoy the vibrant seasonal changes. We’ll provide links to the pages of the Japanese distilleries at the end of each section. Use them to learn more!
Many distillery tours are run in Japanese only, including Nikka’s guided tours at Yoichi and Miyagikyo. Suntory offers a free audio guide app for Yamazaki and Hakushu in English, Spanish, Korean and Chinese, which you download to your phone before the tour. Getting to know some simple Japanese words and phrases can make your trip better. If you’re short on time to brush up on Japanese, don’t worry! You can conveniently use Google Translate to help you navigate through your whisky adventure. To ensure seamless connectivity, consider getting an eSIM from Jetpac, a reliable provider for travellers in Japan. Jetpac offers a range of eSIM options tailored for Japan, ensuring you stay connected with ease.
Moreover, Jetpac has introduced exciting new subscription services like JetFlex and JetPro. These plans are designed to offer flexible and premium connectivity options, making your travel experience even more convenient. By choosing Jetpac’s eSIM services, you can enjoy uninterrupted access to essential apps like Google Translate, helping you make the most of your Japan whisky tour.
The Japanese public transport system works well, making it easy to get to the distilleries. For instance, the Nikka Yoichi Distillery is about five minutes on foot from JR Yoichi Station, which is around 30 minutes from Otaru on the JR Hakodate Main Line. Remote distilleries take more planning. Akkeshi, in eastern Hokkaido, is a train ride from Kushiro on the JR Nemuro Main Line, and visits there only run as organised tours.
By keeping these things in mind, you can plan a well-organised trip that will help you enjoy Japan’s rich whisky-making heritage and the unique qualities of its distilleries!
Japanese Distilleries to Visit for Whisky Tours and Tastings
1. Suntory Yamazaki Distillery (Osaka Prefecture)
Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, where construction began in 1923 and distilling started in 1924, is Japan’s first malt whisky distillery. It is easily accessible for visitors to the Kansai area as it is in Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture. This makes a perfect side trip after visiting the temples of Kyoto. Learn about Japanese whisky culture in a way that is both traditional and modern at the Yamazaki distillery.
Suntory runs two paid tours here, the Yamazaki Distillery Monozukuri Tour and Tasting and a longer Prestige Experience. Both walk you through the production areas and finish with a tasting, and both are for visitors aged 20 and over. Within the distillery there is also the Yamazaki Whisky Museum, which is free to enter with a reservation. Here, visitors can learn about the origins of Yamazaki whisky, and a paid tasting counter pours bottles you will struggle to find outside the distillery.
Image credit: Suntory
Within the grounds is the Yamazaki distillery gift shop, which sells distillery only products including single malts, glassware and snacks, although the limited whiskies can sell out. So yes, you can buy Yamazaki whisky here! You don’t need to join a tour to shop, but you do need a reservation to enter the site.
Image credit: Suntory
Like many of the Japanese whisky distilleries on this list, Yamazaki needs an online booking. What makes it trickier is that paid tours are allocated by lottery. You enter during the entry window, winners are notified by email, and they then have a few days to confirm and pay by card. Secure your spot and immerse yourself into the historical blends of Suntory Yamazaki Distillery by making a reservation on their website.
For those planning a visit, the distillery is located at 5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto, Mishima District, Osaka 618-0001. You can find its exact location on Google Maps.
2. Suntory Hakushu Distillery (Yamanashi Prefecture)
Image credit: Suntory
Completed in 1973, the Suntory Hakushu Distillery was built to make a malt whisky quite different from the famous Yamazaki style. The distillery is located in northern Yamanashi, sitting among the forests of Japan’s Southern Alps. The surrounding mountains are essential in creating the fresh, gently smoky flavour profile of Hakushu whiskies, since the distillery draws its water from them.
One of the most famous whiskies from the Hakushu Distillery is the Hakushu 12 Year Old. The distillery is renowned for its light, fresh and herbal whiskies, with hints of forest, mint and fruit, and the Hakushu 12 Year Old shows that smoky yet fresh profile well. This distinctive style has earned Hakushu a loyal following among whisky fans.
Image credit: Suntory
The distillery is also known for its commitment to sustainability, with efforts to reduce its environmental footprint and preserve the surrounding natural resources. It even has a bird sanctuary in the forest around the site. As at Yamazaki, the paid tour is allocated by online lottery, while the free museum visit is booked separately. Both can be reserved here.
For those planning a visit, the distillery is located at 2913-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Hokuto, Yamanashi 408-0316. You can find its exact location on Google Maps.
3. Nikka Yoichi Distillery (Hokkaido Prefecture)
Image credit: Nikka
As the first distillery of one of the most popular Japanese whisky brands, the Nikka Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido is a must visit. Founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, who studied whisky making in Scotland, Yoichi reflects Taketsuru’s deep admiration for traditional Scottish methods combined with the unique characteristics of the Japanese environment. If you’re in Hokkaido and looking to taste some classic Japanese whisky, a visit to this classic and historic distillery is a delicious and educational experience.
Masataka Taketsuru, inspired by his time in Scotland, built the Yoichi Distillery in Yoichi, mirroring the cool, rugged climate of Scotland’s whisky regions. Yoichi is renowned for its smoky, peaty, and full-bodied expressions, which set it apart from the lighter styles often associated with Japanese whisky. Yoichi’s production methods are deeply rooted in traditional Scottish techniques, including the use of direct-fired copper pot stills, which impart a richer, smokier flavour to the whisky.
Image credit: Nikka
The Nikka Yoichi Distillery has garnered numerous awards for its whiskies, which are celebrated for their depth, complexity and intensity. The distillery offers free guided tours with a tasting at the end for those curious to learn more about its whisky making process. Tours are run in Japanese only, and reservations must be made beforehand here. If you’re unable to book a tour, you can still walk in without a reservation to visit the free Nikka Museum, which has a paid tasting bar pouring distillery exclusive bottlings, as well as the shop and Rita’s Kitchen restaurant.
The distillery closes from 23 December to 7 January and on 11 June each year.
For those planning a visit, the distillery is located at 7-6 Kurokawacho, Yoichi, Yoichi District, Hokkaido 046-0003. You can find its exact location on Google Maps.
4. Akkeshi Distillery (Hokkaido Prefecture)
Image credit: Akkeshi Distillery
In case you’re still searching for another whisky experience in Hokkaido, then Akkeshi Distillery is your next stop. Located in the town of Akkeshi, the distillery is one of Japan’s rising stars in the whisky world. It began distilling in 2016 and has quickly gained recognition for its craftsmanship and its dedication to producing high quality whisky with a distinctly local character.
Akkeshi’s location on the Pacific coast of eastern Hokkaido gives it a cold, damp, foggy climate that recalls traditional whisky regions like Scotland, making it a good spot for ageing whisky. The distillery takes inspiration from the smoky malts of Islay, creating aromas and flavour profiles that can’t be found anywhere else. Its whiskies are also designed to pair well with local specialities, such as oysters and dairy products.
Image credit: Akkeshi Distillery
Despite being relatively new to the whisky scene, Akkeshi Distillery has already attracted attention for its smooth, rich and full bodied single malts. Its releases represent the new wave of Japanese whisky, blending tradition with innovation, and its commitment to quality makes it a name to look out for.
If you’re planning to visit the Akkeshi Distillery, note that it is remote and has no visitor centre, so you can’t simply turn up. Instead, Akkeshi Gourmet Park Conchiglie runs guided distillery tours on selected dates from September to November. The tour takes you into parts of the site that are normally closed to visitors and includes a tasting. For the 2026 season it costs 6,000 yen per adult, paid in cash, is open to over 20s only, and is booked by phone through Conchiglie.
The distillery is in Akkeshi town, and you can find its location on Google Maps.
5. Fuji Gotemba Distillery (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Image credit: The Fuji Gotemba Distillery
The Fuji Gotemba Distillery, located at the foot of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, is known for producing some of the country’s most refined and distinctive whiskies. Since Mount Fuji is a must see for many visitors to Japan, dropping by Fuji Gotemba while you’re in the area will certainly be worth your while. It began operating in 1973 and is owned by Kirin, the Japanese drinks group best known for its beer.
The distillery produces both malt and grain whiskies, with an emphasis on balance and complexity. Fuji Gotemba is known for its smooth, mellow flavour profiles, often with notes of fruit, honey and light spices. The whisky is aged in a variety of casks, including American oak, sherry, and the rare Mizunara oak, which imparts a subtle, unique character to the spirit.
Image credit: The Fuji Gotemba Distillery
The standard Fuji Gotemba Distillery Tour takes about 80 minutes, costs just 500 yen and ends with a tasting of Kirin Single Grain Japanese Whisky Fuji and Kirin Whisky Riku. For 5,000 yen, two premium tours (one focused on malt whisky, one on grain whisky) add a visit to the ageing warehouse and a tasting of rare base whiskies. All tours are for visitors aged 20 and over. Without a tour, you can still visit the free exhibition area, the distillery shop and the rooftop observation deck, where the views of Mount Fuji only add to the charm of this scenic distillery. The distillery is closed on Mondays (or the next weekday when Monday is a public holiday). To make reservations for your visit, you can book online here.
There are several reasons to visit the Fuji Gotemba Distillery, its whisky being just one of them. For golf enthusiasts, the distillery is close to several golf clubs, and the rejuvenating onsens of the Hakone area are a short drive away, making it a worthwhile stop on your trip!
For those planning a visit, the distillery is located at 970 Shibanda, Gotemba, Shizuoka 412-0003. You can find its exact location on Google Maps.
6. Hombo Shuzo Mars Komagatake Distillery, Formerly Mars Shinshu (Nagano Prefecture)
Image credit: Hombo Shuzo
Located in Nagano Prefecture, the Mars Komagatake Distillery, run by the Kagoshima drinks maker Hombo Shuzo, is one of Japan’s most scenic and distinctive whisky producers. It was long known as the Mars Shinshu Distillery, and Hombo Shuzo now lists it under the Komagatake name.
The distillery’s location, at an altitude of 798 metres on the foothills of Mount Komagatake in the Central Alps, is integral to its production process. The cooler climate and high quality water create an ideal environment for ageing whisky, allowing it to develop complexity and depth. Established here in 1985, the distillery credits the snowmelt water and the thick mountain fog for the smooth and refined character of its single malt.
Factory visits are free and self guided, and you don’t need to book, although visitors with reservations get priority on busy days and groups are capped at nine people. The visitor building has a bar pouring paid tastings from a list of around 20 to 30 whiskies, plus a shop selling distillery only bottles, Mars wine and local beer. Barrel warehouse tours are currently suspended, and from about July to late August the stills are shut for maintenance. The distillery is open from 9am to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm) and closes from 29 December to 3 January.
For those planning a visit, the distillery is located at 4752-31 Miyata-mura, Kamiina District, Nagano 399-4301. You can find its exact location on Google Maps. Visiting details and reservations are on the official website here.
7. Chichibu Distillery (Saitama Prefecture)
Nestled in the rural town of Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, the Chichibu Distillery is one of Japan’s most exciting and innovative whisky producers. Established in 2008 by Ichiro Akuto, the distillery has quickly gained international acclaim for its exceptional single malts. While it is a relatively young name in the whisky industry, its Ichiro’s Malt range is sought after by whisky lovers all over the world.
Chichibu’s whiskies are known for their rich, complex profiles, often showcasing fruity, floral and smoky notes with a distinct Japanese touch. The distillery is known for its experimentation despite its small size. Temperatures drop below zero in winter and turn hot and humid in summer, and those extremes have a large influence on how the whisky matures.
Image credit: Chichibu Distillery
Despite being a relatively young distillery, Chichibu has made a massive impact on the global whisky scene, winning numerous prestigious awards and becoming highly sought after by collectors. Its releases, such as the Chichibu The Peated and Chichibu On The Way, have earned a reputation for their refinement, balance, and bold character.
Planning Your Visit to Chichibu Distillery
Although the Chichibu Distillery isn’t open to the public, you can still explore it through:
- Direct Contact: Reach out to the distillery to see if a tour can be arranged, especially if you’re an industry member or press.
- Group Tours: Join a group tour that includes Chichibu in its itinerary, offering a shared experience with other whisky fans.
- Private Tours: Collaborate with local tour operators to arrange a private visit, ensuring a personalised experience.
- Chichibu Whisky Matsuri: Visit during the annual Chichibu Whisky Matsuri, which often features distillery tours and tastings.
The Chichibu Distillery has no opening hours for visitors and does not run public tours, so please don’t turn up unannounced. The distillery is located at 49 Midorigaoka, Chichibu, Saitama 368-0067. You can find its exact location on Google Maps.
8. Miyagikyo Distillery (Miyagi Prefecture)
Image credit: Nikka
Nestled in the lush mountains of Miyagi Prefecture, the Miyagikyo Distillery is Nikka Whisky’s second distillery, which sits in a valley surrounded by beautiful forests and two clear streams in Sendai, part of the scenic Tohoku region. Founded by Masataka Taketsuru, the father of Japanese whisky, Miyagikyo is celebrated for its smooth, fruity, and elegant flavour profiles. The distillery offers guided tours that take visitors through the distillation process, showcasing its unique pot stills and the influence of the surrounding natural environment. Guests can enjoy tastings of Miyagikyo’s signature whiskies, which are known for their balance and complexity. As at Yoichi, the guided tours are free, run in Japanese only and need a reservation, which can be made online here. Without a booking you can still visit the visitor centre, gift shop and paid tasting bar.
Image credit: The Miyagikyo Distillery
For those planning a visit, the distillery is located at Nikka 1, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 989-3433. You can find its exact location on Google Maps.
9. Eigashima Distillery (Hyogo Prefecture)
Located in Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture, Eigashima Shuzo has been making drinks for more than 100 years and produces its whisky at the White Oak Distillery. The company also brews sake and makes shochu and wine, reflecting the rich diversity of Japanese drinks, and its tours show the sake brewery and the whisky distillery side by side.
Visitors can see how the signature Akashi whiskies are made, known for their smooth and balanced profiles. Interestingly, the distillery’s proximity to the sea contributes to the unique maturation process of its whiskies, imparting subtle maritime notes to the flavour. The tour ends with a tasting in the tasting room, where you can also buy the company’s products, including a whisky sold only at the distillery. Tours are by reservation only and run irregularly, roughly once a week, starting at 2pm and lasting about an hour and a half, with space for around 15 people. Reservations can be made through the official website here.
For those planning a visit, the distillery is located at 919 Nishijima, Okubo-cho, Akashi, Hyogo 674-0065. You can find its exact location on Google Maps.
10. Kanosuke Distillery (Kagoshima Prefecture)
Image credit: The Kanosuke Distillery
Nestled on the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture, the Kanosuke Distillery is a relatively new player in the Japanese whisky scene, having started making whisky in November 2017. It is run by Komasa Jyozo, a shochu maker in business since the Meiji era. Despite its youth, the distillery has quickly gained recognition for its innovative approach and commitment to quality.
Image credit: The Kanosuke Distillery
The Kanosuke Distillery offers guided tours, with reservations required, that take you past the stills and fermentation tanks and explain how the distillery uses a variety of cask types for ageing. Tours finish at The Mellow Bar, where a 10 metre counter cut from a single slab looks out over the East China Sea and visitors can sample the distillery’s single malts. Reservations can be made online here.
For those planning a visit, the distillery is located at 845-3 Kaminokawa, Hiyoshi-cho, Hioki, Kagoshima 899-2421. You can find its exact location on Google Maps.
How Japan’s Distilleries Blend Scottish Methods With Local Craft
Image credit: Photo: Wiki Taro, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Japanese whisky distilleries have become globally renowned for their craftsmanship, innovation and attention to detail, and for good reason! Drawing on a century of whisky making, they blend Scottish influences with uniquely Japanese techniques to produce exceptional whiskies.
The art of ageing, the selection of ingredients and the careful blending all contribute to whiskies that are prized by connoisseurs around the world. For whisky lovers, a tour of Japan’s most famous and sought after distilleries is sure to be an engaging, beautiful and educational experience.
