japanese distillery tour

Boutique Japan

A Guide to Japan’s Best Whisky Distilleries

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.

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.

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.

Found 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.

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.

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!

Suntory Yamazaki Distillery (Osaka Prefecture)

No tour of Japan’s whisky distilleries would be complete without a stop at the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery . Founded in 1923 by the godfather of Japanese whisky, Shinjiro Torii, Yamazaki is Japan’s oldest distillery. It’s located on Honshu between the cities of Osaka and Kyoto , at the foot of Mount Tennozan.

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.

Tours of the distillery can be crowded, so booking as far in advance as possible is wise. 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.

Chichibu Distillery (Saitama Prefecture)

After 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.

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.

Chichibu 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.

During 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).

Hakushu Distillery (Yamanashi Prefecture)

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.

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.

Melted snow from the surrounding alps is used in the distillation process, creating a sweet, smoky flavor profile in the whisky. Although there are no English language tours of the facility, headphone tours are available for Western visitors. Whisky fans should seek out the Hakushu 12 Year Old , but the tours provide a range of memorable tasting experiences.

Be aware that this popular distillery can be fully booked, so reservations are highly recommended.

Fuji Gotemba Distillery (Shizuoka Prefecture)

In the shadow of Mount Fuji, the most famous peak in Japan, lies the Fuji Gotemba Distillery , which actually stands as the largest distillery in the world.

Situated in a region with a climate very similar to Scotland, the complete Fuji Gotemba Distillery covers 1.7 million square feet, and produces 12 million liters of whisky per year. The site is so large that it incorporates its own bottling plant and cooperage.

Tours of the distillery showcase Fuji Gotemba’s vast facilities and also include an intimate nosing and tasting session, with samples of the famous Kirin 25 Small Batch Grain and the 17 Small Batch Malt.

Golf fans have an extra reason to be excited about visiting Fuji Gotemba, since the distillery is close to five scenic golf clubs. Other points of interest include Yama Shrine, the lovely Hakone area (home to many wonderful ryokans ), and — if you’re lucky with clear conditions — breathtaking views of Mount Fuji.

Yoichi Distillery (Shiribeshi Subprefecture)

On the chilly northern island of Hokkaido , the Yoichi Distillery stands west of the city of Sapporo. They produce distinctive, peaty whiskies that are very popular across Japan and the rest of the world.

The Yoichi Distillery is owned by the famous Nikka company, and was founded by another godfather of Japanese whisky, Masataka Taketsuru, who also helped to establish the Yamazaki Distillery. Often covered in snowfall during winter, or surrounded by floral colors in spring, tours of Yoichi showcase production facilities that, in many cases, have been unchanged since its founding in 1934 and are still used today.

Guided tours aren’t given in English, but headphones are available for language needs. The tours lead visitors through Yoichi’s whisky production tradition and end in a museum charting the history of Nikka and Taketsuru. Sample opportunities to look out for include the Pure Malt 17 and 21 Year Old, and the Pure Malt Black .

Hombo Shuzo “Mars Shinshu” Distillery (Nagano Prefecture)

Located in Nagano Prefecture, between the southern and central alpine ranges, the Hombo Shuzo distillery is — at 798 meters above sea level — the highest in Japan.

A small, charming distillery that employs only a handful of workers, Hombu Shuzo is colloquially known as “Mars Shinshu” Distillery, after the labelling of its “Mars Whisky.”

The colder alpine climate is ideal for distillation. Mars varieties are fed by melted snow from the nearby mountains to create balanced, smooth, and elegant whiskies.

Hombo Shuzo hosts 30-minute guided tours of the production facility, during which time visitors can explore the warehouse and stillhouse, and even try some of the whisky. Favored drams include the Mars Maltage 28 Year Old , the Mars Komagatake, and the “Lucky Cat.”

Enjoy Your Whisky Tour of Japan

We hope our guide to Japan’s most essential whisky distilleries helps you plan your visit to Japan!

And if you’re interested in some of Japan’s other most notable beverages, make sure to see our guides to drinking sake and shochu in Japan.

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Forbes Travel Guide Stories

A Guide To Whisky-Distillery-Hopping In Japan By Correspondent Lauren Viera

June 10, 2013

Japanese sake, we know: We drink this so-called “rice wine” (which technically is closer to a beer) both cold and warm with sushi and then some from a delicate little cup — or, in more traditional scenarios, a small wooden box.

But in Japan, another spirit is gaining ground — and it looks a lot like Scotland’s most famous export. Japanese whisky has become more popular thanks to an increasing awareness in its homeland, and strong demand in the States and elsewhere. Gracing menus at high-end lounges and sold at a growing number of spirits shops, Japanese whisky is just as good as your favorite scotch, if not better. In fact, the quality is so good that it commonly wins over scotch in whisky competitions.

Most of Japan’s whisky distilleries welcome visitors with English-speaking tours and shops selling both exported and limited-release products. Not to mention, the country’s excellent domestic train routes make it easy to navigate straight to the source of your new favorite tipple.

Yamazaki Japan’s first whisky distillery and the mother of them all, Yamazaki is at the top of the list of must-visit distilleries. Established by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii in 1923, it is a 15-minute train ride from Kyoto , and the stunning whisky library — with more than 7,000 cataloged bottles elegantly displayed — is worth a transcontinental plane ticket alone. Don’t leave without a taste on the tour: Last year, the World Whiskies Awards named Yamazaki 25 Year Old the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky. After the tour, learn more about the award-winning brand in the Yamazaki Whisky Museum.

Hakushu Also owned by Suntory, Hakushu is nestled in the Japanese Southern Alps approximately two and a half hours west of Tokyo via train. In a beautiful wooded setting, the grounds smell of fir trees and are hushed with the noise of local birds, identified in Hakushu’s campus avian sanctuary. Like Yamazaki, Hakushu boasts impressive accolades: A Suntory blend of whiskies from the two distilleries, Hibiki 21 Year Old, won World’s Best Blended Whisky at the 2013 World Whiskies Awards. Take the tour (conducted in Japanese but with audio guides in English, French and Chinese) and enjoy a sample of the housemade spirits.

Yoichi Second to Suntory is the Nikka Whisky Distilling Co., which owns this handsome distillery located about an hour and a half west of Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido — the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands, and the last to be developed. Mountains surround three sides of the distillery with the fourth bordered by the sea, lending Yoichi its peaty, masculine flavor, akin to that of an Islay scotch whisky. Brush up on your Japanese as tours here are only given in the native tongue, but they do include a tasting of the malts produced at Yoichi.

Miyagikyo Also owned by Nikka, Miyagikyo was built in its location near Sendai City in northern Japan because of the combination of its clean air, mild humidity and water access. Surrounded by two rivers, the picturesque setting lends Miyagikyo a soft, mild malt. Only Japanese tours (that include a tasting) are offered here.

Mars Shinshu Two hours southwest of Nagano, the Hombo Shuzo Co.-owned Mars Shinshu sits in a lovely wooded area higher in altitude (2,600 feet) than any other distillery in the country, leaving it blanketed with snow in the wintertime. It reopened only a few years ago after having shuttered in 1992 — a sign that Japanese whisky is on the rise. Warm up after your tour with a tasting and a look around the gift shop.

Fuji-Gotemba Located at the base of Mt. Fuji, this Kirin-owned distillery was founded in the 1970s by an international partnership of alcohol industry gurus Seagram’s from Canada, Chivas Brothers of Scotland, Four Roses from America and Kirin. Just a little more than a two-hour drive from Tokyo, its site is at the base of the mountain and capitalizes on the area’s mineral-rich soil and underground water vein, which yields spring water that’s perfect for making whisky. Free tours are available every day except Wednesdays.

Photos Courtesy of Lauren Viera

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Suntory Whisky Distilleries

Over a century ago, our first whisky distillery was founded near Kyoto, a region known for its clear, beautiful waters. Yamazaki Distillery soon became known as the birthplace of Japanese whisky, and since then several more distilleries have opened – each with its own innovative approach to finely crafted spirits.

VISIT US IN PERSON

Step inside our distilleries and experience the meticulous craft of a true pioneer in Japanese whisky. Both Yamazaki Distillery and Hakushu Distillery were recently renovated and now offer in-person tours, tastings and experiences that highlight the intimate connection between Japanese nature and our whiskies. We invite you to explore all the House of Suntory distilleries in more detail below.

Yamazaki Distillery

The Yamazaki Distillery is Japan’s first and oldest malt whisky distillery established in 1923 by Suntory's founder Shinjiro Torii. Inspired by traditional Scottish whisky, Torii envisioned a Japanese approach by choosing a terrain and climate completely different to those of Scotland to create a unique kind of whisky. The Yamazaki Distillery is thus the birthplace of Japanese whisky. Nestled proudly on the periphery of Kyoto, this region was formerly referred to as "Minaseno", where one of the purest waters of Japan originates.

Hakushu Distillery

The Hakushu Distillery was founded half a century after Yamazaki. Keizo Saji inherited his father’s vision in his quest for innovation and constructed this second Suntory distillery in 1973. The exceptionally soft mountain water of Hakushu originates as clear-flowing rainwater and melted snow, which passes through Mt. Kaikomagatake of the Japanese Southern Alps and joins the Ojira and Jingu Rivers at the mountain foot. With four distinctive seasons, the clear air and cool, humid climate of Hakushu’s vast forests allow the distillery, one of the few situated at an elevation of 700 meters or more, to produce high-quality whisky through a slow, unhurried process.

Chita Distillery

In 1972, Keizo Saji—Suntory's second Master Blender—took a momentous step forward in pursuing Shinjiro Torii’s vision for diverse and truly Japanese whiskies blessed with the riches of Japanese nature and craftsmanship. On the misty, calm shores of Chita Peninsula, Keizo built a distillery dedicated to creating high quality Japanese grain whisky. Through many years of research and innovation, the Chita Distillery’s grain whiskies have achieved an unrivaled sophistication and complexity—culminating in The Chita Single Grain Whisky.

Osaka Distillery

Roku Gin stands out as a different gin, one that is particularly Japanese. Its point of difference is mostly due to the precise balance between eight traditional gin botanicals and six uniquely Japanese botanicals. The Suntory Liquor Atelier is a unique distillery that creates a variety of spirits following the high standards set out by Suntory’s principles of artisanship. To maintain their renowned standards, Suntory has different kinds of distilling pots at their disposal, so that specific distillation methods may be used to extract the best flavors depending on the type of botanicals in use.

Osumi Distillery

At Suntory, the artisans of the House are committed to selecting the best ingredients, and elaborating on complex and innovative making techniques to create spirits of unrivaled quality and unique Japanese character. It is the signature of the House of Suntory‘s “Monozukuri” craftsmanship. Osumi Distillery is a new iteration of that philosophy, and inherits Shinjiro Torii’s vision of challenge and quest of excellence.

Our Distilleries: Image Gallery

More to Explore

Suntory whisky.

Suntory Whiskies embody the harmonious balance between the Japanese people and nature, taking distillation to an art form.

Craft and Philosophy

Suntory spirits embody the harmony that exists between Japanese nature and Japanese people. This unique fusion establishes our craft as an art form.

Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery (�T���g���[�R�������, Santorī Yamazaki Jōryūsho) is a whisky distillery in the Yamazaki district near Kyoto . Opened in 1923, the distillery produces Suntory's flagship line of Yamazaki whiskies, which have won many international awards.

The Yamazaki Distillery is surrounded by nature and greenery in a quiet and serene district that has long been known for its quality water, a key ingredient to great tasting whisky. The entire process of whisky distillation and aging is done here. A museum and distillery tours are available to tourists; however, prior reservations are required for a visit.

The Yamazaki Whisky Museum is a two-story building that introduces the Suntory company, its founder, Shinjiro Torii, and its history and products. The whisky distillation process is explained on the museum's second floor with miniature models of the equipment. English descriptions are provided. There is also a gift shop on the second floor, offering whisky -related snacks and goods, as well as small bottles of un-aged whisky.

On the ground floor is a whisky library, showcasing the wide variety of whiskies in various shades of brown, yellow and gold. A cash-only tasting counter can be found on the same level, and visitors are welcome to sample a dram of any of the whiskies. Menus are available in both English and Japanese. Prices per dram vary, starting from around 500 yen.

The distillation process can only be viewed on guided tours that allow for entry into the otherwise sealed-off premises. Once in the distillery, the air changes noticeably to smell like sake at first before changing to whisky notes towards the end of the tour. Visitors are brought through the plant in chronological order of whisky-making, starting in the mashing area, then continuing to the fermentation washbacks and the large pot stills used for distillation, before inspecting the warehouse where the casked whiskies are allowed to mature and age.

The tour ends with a whisky tasting session which explains the differences between single malt whiskies and how to enjoy whisky. Regular and prestige tours are offered. Regular tours take about 80 minutes, while prestige tours take around two hours and cover the craftsmanship in more detail and involve the tasting of more exquisite whiskies. Visitors who join guided tours are free to visit the Yamazaki Whisky Museum before or after their tour.

Getting there and around

The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is located in the Yamazaki district near Kyoto . It can be reached in about ten minutes on foot from either Yamazaki Station on the JR Kyoto Line (15 minutes, 230 yen one way from Kyoto Station ; or 30 minutes, 480 yen one way from Osaka Station ) or Oyamazaki Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line (30 minutes, 280 yen one way from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station; or 35 minutes, 330 yen one way from Osaka-Umeda Station ).

How to get to and around Kyoto

Hours and Fees

Both the guided tour and entry to the museum require prior reservations which can be made online or over the phone in English or Japanese.

Guided tours cost 3,000 yen per person for a regular tour and 10,000 yen for a prestige tour. Regular tours in English are held once per day (Japanese tours are held several times per day), while prestige tours are available only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Entry to the Yamazaki Whisky Museum is free. If you are not joining a guided tour, advance reservations for visiting the museum must be made for a specific date and time. Visitors with a reservation for a distillery tour can view the museum without additional reservation.

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Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery Tours

Whiskey. Ireland and Scotland both claim to have first created it—in fact the word roughly translates to ‘water of life’ in Gaelic. Thanks to globalisation, this dark and brooding spirit has made its way worldwide and into the hands and hearts of millions. These days, Japan is one of the top whiskey producing countries in the world, alongside the usual suspects; Scotland, Ireland, USA and Canada. Join us on a Japanese whisky tour where whisky got its start: Suntory Yamazaki Distillery.    

Whiskey in Japan

Whiskey got its start in 1923 in the southwestern Kyoto area of Yamazaki. Located at the foot of Mt.Tennozan where three rivers converge and humidity is high, it was an ideal choice.

The man with the plan was Shinjiro Torii, founder of Suntory. His passion was to domestically produce “a perfect whisky that reflects the nature of Japan and the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship”. It had never before been attempted and he faced many difficulties in the process.

Fast forward to 2003, and the Yamazaki 12 Year Old won Gold at the International Spirits Challenge (the first Japanese Whiskey to do so). Suntory Whiskeys have continued to win many major awards since, solidifying its place on the global whisky market.

Japanese Whisky Tours

It is indeed possible to visit the Yamazaki Distillery where it all began, it’s just a short train ride from both Kyoto and Osaka. Bear in mind that it is an extremely popular spot, so it’s wise to book ahead.

Tours of Yamazaki Distillery are arranged by an online reservation system . They suggest one of two experiences: self guided (free) or a paid tour.

The free self-guided tour still requires a reservation and allows you to visit the museum exhibits, museum shop and the tasting counter (paid) at your own pace. Note that you cannot view the production facilities.

The paid tour (in Japanese) includes a tour of the whiskey production facilities, so you can fully appreciate the varieties they produce. It books out weeks, or even months in advance so plan accordingly.

Whiskey Tasting

The highlight of the factory tour is the tasting corner. For a small fee, you can enjoy plenty of delicious whiskeys in search of your favourite.

Whiskey requires a long ageing period. Each component from the barrel material, water and malt slowly change the flavour over time, resulting in many varieties. You can enjoy your whiskey with water, the very same pure local water used in production. There may be limited edition whiskeys available, though recent changes and discontinuations may mean you’re relegated to other (equally delicious) drops.

How to get to Yamazaki Distillery

From Kyoto Station, take the JR Tokaido Line to Yamazaki station (roughly 15 minutes) then walk 10 minutes to the distillery. From Osaka, take the JR Tokaido Line to Yamazaki station (roughly 26 minutes) then walk 10 minutes to the distillery.  

Name: Suntory Yamazaki Distillery Address: 5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, Osaka Prefecture Operating hours: 9:30–17:00 (Last entry at 16:30) Closed: Over the New Year’s holiday and during distillery shutdowns. Website: https://www.suntory.com/factory/yamazaki

Post by Japan Journeys .

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• The Founder
• Nikka Whisky History
• YOICHI SINGLE MALT
• MIYAGIKYO SINGLE MALT
• TAKETSURU PURE MALT
• FROM THE BARREL
• COFFEY GRAIN / MALT
• COFFEY GIN / VODKA
• SUPER NIKKA
• Yoichi Distillery
• Yoichi Distillery Tour
• Miyagikyo Distillery
• Miyagikyo Distillery Tour
• Recent News
• Standards for Labeling of Japanese Whisky

About the distillery tour

Reservations are required for distillery tours. *We do not accept reservations for groups of 10 people or more, including private buses such as microbuses.

During the guided tour, our guides will provide information on the whisky production process and the history of Nikka. At the end of the tour, you can enjoy a complimentary tasting.

The following facilities are available for use without reservations. *We do not accept groups of 10 people or more, including private buses such as microbuses. Please enter directly from the distillery shop entrance. (Last entry time: 15:30) *For details, please refer to the access information.

*The free tasting hall is not available.

Visitor center

• Milling & Mashing house

Still house

Vatting house, former office, former residence of taketsuru, warehouse no.1, nikka museum, tasting hall, ritaʼs kitchen(restaurant), distillery shop.

Passing through the beautifully arched stone gate leads you to a different world. For visitors with guided-tour reservation, please first come to the reception desk at this main gate upon arrival.

Important Cultural Property

Guided tours start here. Participants are invited to see an introduction movie of the Yoichi Distillery and overview of production process.

A Kiln tower is to dry germinated barley with peat smoke and make malt. Yoichi's 2 kiln towers are no longer in use, but remain as symbols of the distillery.

Milling & Mashing house

Malted barley is milled and mashing occurs here. Milled barley is mixed with water in a mash tun and enzymes in the malt convert starch into sugar to make wort.

Yeast is added to the wort to start fermentation. The yeast breaks down the sugar in the wort into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Wash is sent through underground pipes to the still house.

The wash is distilled twice in pot stills. Yoichi's pot stills are heated by direct coal fire. This traditional method results in bold and rich characteristics.

This building was built as Masataka's office in July 1934. This starting point of Nikka is still carefully preserved as a great asset that indicates the development of the Yoichi Distillery.

Built in 1931 before the company was founded, this facility was used as Nikka Whisky's laboratory for about 50 years until 1984.

The residence in Yamada-cho, a suburb of Yoichi Town, where Masataka used to live with Rita, was relocated in 2002. This Japanese-Western house reflects the couple's lifestyle. The entrance hall and garden are open to the public.

This location was originally a riverbank of the Yoichi River. The floor is made of soil to retain moderate humidity, and the exterior walls are made of stone to keep the air cool in summer.

The sections "Blender's Lab", "Story of Nikka", and "Distillers' Talk" focus on Nikka's whisky-making from various angles. "Taketsuru-ism", which introduces the life of Masataka, displays valuable materials including records of his apprenticeships at Scotch distilleries, his involvement in developing Japan's first authentic whisky, and his private correspondence with Rita. Please stop by the "Tasting Bar" where you can sample your favorite products from the extensive line-up for a fee.

After viewing the production process on a guided tour, visitors can try Yoichi Single Malt and other beverages for free. Soft drinks are also available.

RITA's Kitchen offers dishes and drinks that feature ingredients from Hokkaido, which we are proud to serve.

Distillery limited editions, sweets using Nikka’s liquor, and items to enjoy whisky are available.

THE NIKKA WHISKY DISTILLING Co., LTD

Copyright © THE NIKKA WHISKY DISTILLING Co., LTD. All rights reserved.

Yamazaki Whisky Museum & Distillery Tour

• Published on : 25/06/2018
• by : Japan Experience
• Add to favorites

Yamazaki Whisky Museum & Distillery Tour: the home of Japanese whisky is Yamazaki near Kyoto where you can visit the Yamazaki Japanese Whisky Museum and take a tour of Japan's oldest distillery.

Japan's First Commercial Distillery

Reservations, yamazaki whisky museum & distillery tour サントリー山崎ウイスキー館.

Jake Davies

The home of Japanese whisky is Yamazaki near Kyoto where you can visit the Yamazaki Japanese Whisky Museum and take a tour of Japan's oldest distillery.

Japanese whisky is enjoying unprecedented popularity both domestically and internationally. Within Japan the TV drama Massan which aired in 2014-15 and was a fictional account of the story of whisky in Japan.

Scotswoman Rita Taketsuru married Masataka Taketsuru, a Japanese entrepreneur who was involved in setting up Japan's first commercial distillery here in Yamazaki. He then went on to found his own which became the Nikka brand. Nikka claims domestic sales of its whiskey went up 50% due to the TV show.

Internationally, Japanese whisky has been winning prizes consistently in international competitions for the past few years. Furthermore, it seems that demand is starting to exceed supply. Several Japanese whisky producers have started to take some brands off the market as production has not kept pace with demand.

One place you can be sure of getting a taste of some Japanese whisky, though, is the Whisky Museum at the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery. Founded in 1923, this is Japan's first commercial distillery and, along with several breweries, was built in Yamazaki to take advantage of the quality of the local water. It was founded by Shinjiro Torii, and the company later was named Suntory.

The museum has two floors of exhibition space as well as a shop and a tasting counter. There is no entry fee but reservations are mandatory. On the first floor are displays chronicling the history of Suntory and it's founder.

Also, there are exhibits on the processes involved in distilling whisky including the tasting and blending. The "Whisky Library" is where thousands of bottles of the different blends and vintages of Suntory whisky are displayed. Here is also the tasting counter where, for a fee, different whiskys can be sampled. Leading off from the counter area is a pleasant patio space with tables and seats.

The second floor continues with more exhibits and a large shop selling not only whiskys but various types of gifts. Tours of the distillery begin on the second floor at a display showing the whole process of whisky making.

The tours are in Japanese, but when there are foreign guests some English is spoken, however a free audio guide in English is available and it gives a clear, detailed description of everything you see on the tour.

The tour heads first into the mashing and fermentation building where huge vats of wood or stainless steel hold the fermenting liquid. It is somewhat warm with a distinct aroma. Next you pass through the distillery with huge copper stills and an oppressive heat and the overpowering smell of whiskey.

A longer time is spent in the huge, dark, cavern-like warehouses where thousands and thousands of casks, each with a date on them, sit and age for years and years. It is a little cooler here but the aroma is again strong.

After about fifty minutes you end up in a  hall with a large screen and tables set with samples of whiskeys for the tasting segment of the tour. Full English instructions are available as you are shown how to taste some of the component whiskeys before finally being given full instruction on how to make a highball cocktail. For myself, not a whisky drinker, this was the least interesting part of the tour, but I was most certainly in the minority.

After the tour you head to the shop, but for some of the whiskys on sale there is a strict limit of one per customer. Also it should be noted that anyone arriving by car or even bicycle will not be allowed on the tour due to the alcohol consumption.

Entry to the museum is free and the distillery tour costs 1,000 yen. Reservations for both are needed and can be made in English at the phone number and website listed below. Reservations are often filled well in advance, but cancellations occur frequently so keep checking and spaces may appear.

Yamazaki Whisky Museum www.suntory.com/factory/yamazaki/facility 5 Chome-2-1, Yamazaki Shimamoto-cho Mishima-gun Osaka 618-0001 Tel: 075 962 1423

A 10 minute walk from Yamazaki Station on the JR Tokaido Line or a 15 minute walk from Oyamazaki Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line between Osaka and Kyoto.

The Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art is a short walk away.

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• A Factory Tour of a World-Renowned Japanese Whisky Maker

Go behind the scenes at Suntory's storied Hakushu Distillery and sample the sublime product

Nestled in a forest at the foot of the Japan Alps lies the Suntory Hakushu Distillery. Established in 1973, the Hakushu facility is Suntory’s second whiskey distillery. The forest of Hakushu was chosen for the quality and mineral content of its water, leading to a fresh, vibrant and crisp whisky as compared to their Yamazaki brand, which offers a deeper, multi-layered taste.

Visitors can see the inner workings with a full distillery tour. The tour sheds light on the manufacturing process, Suntory’s dedication to whiskey making, and a tasting session. (Advance bookings are required.) The Suntory Whisky Museum and Bar Hakushu are available without reservation.

The White Terrace restaurant serves carefully paired cuisine. There's even a bird sanctuary where many wild birds come to visit throughout the year.

Take the train from Tokyo (about three hours).

Suntory Hakushu Distillery

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Kristall Vodka Distillery Tour

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Yamazaki Distillery : Procedures from reservation to visit

Reservations can be made in advance via the Internet.

* Please make reservations via telephone if your group contains a wheelchair user or someone who requires assistance.

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(2) Select a time

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Audio Guide Apps for distillery tours are available for free.Please download the App, before your tour. Languages include [English, Chinese, French].

Download from the App Store or Google Play. →  App Store  →  Google Play *The Audio Guide Apps are for phones

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Visit reception upon arrival and participate in the tour

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Cancel a reservation (online/telephone).

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Yamazaki. Where Japanese whisky was born.

Hakushu. Unique in the world, a distillery located in the forest.

Stop! Under 20 drinking / drink driving. It is advisable not to drink alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is important to drink moderately. Suntory Spirits Limited

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• Arts & Entertainment

What to expect at Porchfest, from a longtime host of the Deering Center event

Bob Carroll recommends biking to the event, being open to meeting new people and maybe packing a snack.

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Bob Carroll hosts a band or two in his driveway on Bedell Street during Deering Center’s annual Porchfest. Photo courtesy of Bob Carroll

Every September, Bob Carroll turns his driveway on Bedell Street in Deering Center into a stage for Porchfest, when bands play in front of homes throughout the neighborhood. He’s been a host for nearly all of the festival’s 10 years and credited the organizers for the hard work they’ve put in over a decade to realize their vision. This year’s festival is 12:15-5 p.m. Sunday, and more than 65 bands will play throughout the afternoon. (Carroll, 53, will host 3rd Shelf Cava.)

Porchfest is free and open to all. For more information, including a map and parking details, check the Deering Center Neighborhood Association Facebook page . This interview has been edited for length.

What is involved in being a host for Porchfest?

The date has always been ingrained. It’s always been the Sunday after Labor Day when people are mostly around, so having that in your schedule.

The actual day-of is pretty easy. Unless you’re doing acoustics. I just put out power and make it nice. People set up in my driveway. People might do that or set up on their actual porch. It’s mostly a willingness to have them use that space for an hour, maybe 45 minutes, for them to set up, and the hour that they’re playing. The bands do the brunt of the work. I put out power and some chairs. The committee does a lot of the work. They put signs out.

There’s not that much labor involved, and you have to have a willingness to have them use your space.

Let’s say someone is coming to Porchfest for the first time. What advice would you give them about enjoying the day?

If you’re coming for a longer period of time or with your kids – it’s very kid-friendly – be prepared to meet some new people. It might be good to bring a snack because that stuff’s not really provided. Advertisement

Get a map. The maps are posted, but also there’s hard copies. They’ll put it online so you can have a map on your phone. A lot of people might know two or three bands that are playing, so you can map it out.

But you don’t have to plan it out. You’re going to be surrounded by music in a six-by-six-block radius and you can just go with the flow and just have a fun day of hearing different cool music and just being around people that want to be outside and listen to music.

We try to free up the street, so there is parking at Deering High School or places that they don’t barricade off. It’s good to be prepared. You might be doing some walking. A bike is a great way too to utilize the space.

Do you usually stay at your own place?

With two bands, it was a little harder, but I don’t usually have to go far. But if you’re a host, you still get to walk around and enjoy the music and see some of the crowds. You don’t have to stay the whole time. Most people might want to do that, but a half hour in or whatever, you can go see your friend’s band too and come back. People are really respectful about people’s property, about their space. That hasn’t been an issue for us. That’s another reason we continue to host.

Do you have a favorite Porchfest memory?

One got canceled over COVID, but the one the year after, in 2021, people just really wanted to be outside and see people and experience this. It was busy that year, and it ended up being a great day. I think people just wanted to be outside and doing stuff and seeing one another and supporting one another. I could go around and see a variety of different bands but also see a lot of people I hadn’t seen in a while due to being more around the house. That was probably my best memory, but there’s been a lot.

A crowd listens to Ideal Maine Social Aid and Sanctuary Band on Brentwood Street during Deering Center Porchfest 2023. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

What do you think Porchfest has brought to the Deering Center neighborhood? How has it impacted the neighborhood identity?

It’s a strong sense of community that we look out for one another. It’s good to laugh and be social and listen to music. The music brings people together and has that sense of community. You look around, and you’re smiling and laughing, and people might be dancing, and you’re seeing kids that are now grown. If I had to sum it up, it would be a strong sense of community.

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