suntory whiskey tour kyoto

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 craftmanship 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 ).

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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 .

A special experience in Kyoto to you!There are many meaningful tours.

Visit the world-class suntory whiskey distillery and suntory beer brewery.

Visit Oyamazaki, home of the world-famous Suntory Yamazaki Whiskey Distillery and enjoy Kyoto’s Suntory Beer Brewery. Suntory Yamazaki Distillery has won numerous awards since 2003 and has earned a very high reputation. If we can not arrange a tour in the factory for a fee visit, we will change to a free whiskey hall at -1,000 yen (tasting fee will be charged). After whiskey please enjoy the beer factory tour and freshly prepared beer tasting. You will be sent to the hotel or the nearest facilities you wish to leave.

The number of participants ：１～9persons

Days 　：Anytime without Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

Time 　：start 9：00AM – end 13：30PM

The tour will change according to the visit reservation time.

9：00 am　Your taxi will pick you up at your Kyoto hotel or train station 9：40 am　Arrival at Suntory Yamazaki Distillery 11：10 am　Kyoto beer brewery 1：00 pm    Your taxi will return you to your Kyoto hotel or train station

• Note that the order above is subject to change

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Tour price includes: Taxi fare, parking fee and experience fee A qualified tour operator will accompany you during your tour

⑦ Visit the World-Class Suntory Whiskey Distillery and Suntory Beer Brewery

After applying, we will arrange for each place. The reservation will be completed when we send you a notice of completion of arrangement from us.

Name (Required)

E-mail (Required)

Country of Citizenship

Application　Tours ①Kyoto Kimono Walking Tour – Meet Kimono Craftspeople in the Historic Nishijin Textile District ②Traditional Tea Ceremony Experience and Special Daitoku-ji Temple Vegetarian Meal ③Historic Thatched Roof Homes in the Village of Miyama in Rural Kyoto ④Kyoto’s Quiet Side – Sanzen-in, the “Moss Temple” and Highlights of Ohara ⑤Kyoto Kimono Experience & Gion or Sannenzaka Photography Tour ⑥Tour of Nara & Todai-ji, Uji & Byodo-in and the Wazuka Tea Fields ⑦Visit the World-Class Suntory Whiskey Distillery and Suntory Beer Brewery ⑧Historical Tour of Kyoto Antique Art and a Special Engraving Experience ⑩Meet a Certified Swordsmith and Make Your Own Knife (Letter Opener) in Kyoto ⑪ Kyoto tour guide

Requested date

1 person 2 person 3 person 4 person 5 person 6 person 7 person 8 person 9 person 10 person more than 10 person

Please contact us if you have questions.

The state of the tour

As you go through the exhibition on the 1st floor, trial production whiskey bottles with different age and formulation are lined up. When you go through here, there is a tasting section, where you will be charged, but you can drink from period whiskey to various brands and things you can drink only here.

Available is a wide range of whiskeys priced from 100 yen to several thousand yen! Even the rare and expensive “Hibiki 21”, aged for 21 years, is available for tasting. Standing drinking OK, or you can sit down and enjoy yourself slowly. Please relish the whiskey of Japan to such an extent that you do not become fluffy.

About application

・After receiving your application, it may take 1 or 2 days to contact the reservation to inquire as to whether you can experience each workshop.

About cancel Policy

If you cancel a tour, a cancellation fee may be assessed according to the following terms: 3 days before the scheduled tour start 10% 2 days before the scheduled tour start 20% 1 day before the scheduled tour start 30% on the day of the scheduled tour start 100%

Application

Tour Information

1. Tour operator: Manten Address: 18 Murasakino-nishifujinomori-cho Kita-ku,Kyoto, Kyoto 603-8224 2. Manten is a member of the All Nippon Travel Agent Association (Number 2-525) 3. If the minimum number of tour participants (1) is not met 14 days prior to the scheduled date, the tour is subject to cancellation. 4. If the tour is cancelled, customers will be notified either by their travel agent or Manten. 5. The itinerary shown is final.

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A Kyoto Travel Agency ＭＡＮＴＥＮ Kyoto Governor’s Registered Travel Agency No. 2-525 18 Murasakino Nishi Fujinomori cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi 603-8224 Telephone: 075-414-3366 Fax: 075-414-3367 Manten’s goal is to create wonderful memories for travelers visiting Kyoto. We can also help you create custom tours based on your interests. Please contact us for more information.

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Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

• Workshops & Breweries

The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is a Japanese whisky distillery in the Yamazaki District of Kyoto Prefecture, not far from Kyoto City and close to Uji—the region of Kyoto famous for matcha green tea—and the famous Otokuni Bamboo grove. The Yamazaki region has long been known for its pure and soft water, for which the distillery founder, Torii Shinjiro, chose this location in particular. Nestled between Mt. Tennozan and Mt. Otokoyama, close to the river's pure water, and in an ideal climate for whisky maturation, the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is now known as the birthplace of Japanese whisky, and home to the internationally-renowned Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky. Today at the distillery there are whisky tastings and guided tours explaining the whisky-making process (tours are available in foreign languages), and the tour includes an exlusive blended whisky tasting (not for regular sale). At the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery there is also a whisky library, and a free-to-enter whisky museum where you can learn about the history of whisky in Japan. Visiting requires reservation up to a day in advance.

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Suntory Yamazaki Distillery: The Birthplace of Japanese Whisky

• Western Kyoto , Food & Drink

The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is a world-renowned Japanese whisky distillery in the Yamazaki region of Kyoto. Established in 1923 by the founder of Suntory, Shinjiro Torii, it is Japan’s first and oldest malt whisky distillery. Inspired by traditional Scottish whiskey, Torii envisioned a Japanese approach by choosing a terrain and climate completely different from those of Scotland to create a unique kind of whisky.

The Distillery is not only the soul place of Suntory Whisky but also the birthplace of Japanese Whisky. It is known for its exceptional quality and unique flavor profile that sets it apart from other whiskies around the world. It offers 360 virtual tours of its whisky museum, showcasing the history and evolution of Japanese whisky making.

Visitors can learn about the intricate process of whisky production, from the selection of ingredients to the crafting of the final product. The distillery also offers whisky tastings and tours of its facilities, where you can witness the craftsmanship that goes into every bottle of Suntory Yamazaki whisky.

The Distillery was Japan’s first malt whisky distillery, established in 1924 by Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Japanese drinks group Suntory. Torii’s vision was to create a Japanese whisky that could rival the best Scotch whiskies. He chose the location of Yamazaki, near Kyoto, for its pure water source and ideal climate.

The distillery’s first whisky, Suntory Shirofuda (White Label), was launched in 1929. In the 1930s, Suntory began exporting its whisky to the United States and other countries, but production was halted during World War II. After the war, Suntory resumed production and introduced its flagship single malt, Yamazaki, in 1984.

Today, it produces a range of single malt whiskies, including Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki. The distillery also offers tours and tastings those, and its whisky museum showcases the history and craft of Japanese whisky-making.

Whisky Production Process

The whisky production process at Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is a fascinating and intricate process that involves several steps. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

• Malting: The first step in the whisky production process is malting. Here, the barley is soaked in water to begin the germination process. The barley is then dried and the roots are removed before it is ground into a coarse flour.
• Mashing: The ground barley is mixed with hot water to create a mash. This mixture is then transferred to large tanks where enzymes break down the starch in the barley into sugar.
• Fermentation: Once the sugar has been extracted, yeast is added to the mixture to begin the fermentation process. This process takes several days and produces a liquid called wash, which contains around 8-10% alcohol.
• Distillation: The wash is then transferred to large copper stills where it is heated and distilled. The first distillation produces a liquid called low wine, which is then distilled again to produce a liquid called high wine.
• Maturation: The high wine is then transferred to oak barrels where it is left to mature for several years. During this time, the whisky takes on the flavors and aromas of the oak barrel, resulting in a complex and unique flavor profile.

Tasting Room and Tours

The distillery offers several tours, each with its own unique experiences. The most popular tour is the Distillery Tour, which includes a visit to the production area and the Whiskey Museum, where you can learn about the history of Japanese whiskey and see the various types of barrels used for aging.

After the tour, you can head to the tasting room, where you can sample some of the finest whiskeys produced by Suntory. The tasting room offers whiskeys, including the Yamazaki Single Malt, Hakushu Single Malt, and Hibiki Blended Whiskey. The prices of the whiskeys vary depending on the age and rarity of the whiskey.

If you don’t have time for a full tour, you can still visit the tasting room and enjoy a flight of whiskeys. The tasting room is open from 10:00 am to 4:45 pm, with the last order at 4:30 pm. Note that the tasting room is only open to visitors who have taken a tour of the distillery.

Note that reservations are required for all tours and visits to the Whiskey Museum and tasting room. You can make a reservation through the distillery’s website or by phone. The distillery also offers online tours for those who can’t make it to the distillery in person.

Awards and Recognition

TheDistillery has won numerous awards and accolades for its high-quality whiskies. Here’s a few of the most notable awards:

• Hibiki 21 Years Old: World’s Best Blended Whisky: Icons of Whisky
• Suntory Spirits: Worldwide Whiskey Producer Of The Year Award: World Whiskies Awards
• Yamazaki Distillery: Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Yearz: Hall of Fame
• The House of Suntory Wins Japanese Whisky Distiller of the Year at the 2021 International Spirits Challenge

In addition to these awards, it has also earned global recognition for Japanese whisky. The craftsmen at the distillery have passed on their skills, polished their techniques, and continued their research and development, improving the facilities while creating diversely flavored whiskies.

One of the most sought-after expressions from the distillery is the Yamazaki 1984, which has won multiple awards and sells for over US$10,000 at auction. Another highly acclaimed expression is the Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve, which embodies the balance between Japan’s nature and its people. It has a rich heritage and depth of flavor that can be enjoyed in many ways.

The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is a world-renowned distillery that produces high-quality Japanese whisky. The distillery offers a unique experience to visitors who can take a tour of the facility and learn about the history and process of whisky production. The tour made our list of the best whisky tours in Japan and is well worth the trip.

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Yamazaki Whisky Museum & Distillery Tour

• Published on : 25/06/2018
• by : Japan Experience
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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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Suntory Yamazaki Distillery : Reservation method and visit report of factory tour.

• Update Date: Tuesday February 12th, 2019
• Post Date： Thursday June 2nd, 2016
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There is the factory where adults can enjoy in japan!!

The first of the visit to social studies that adult can enjoy is “Suntory Yamazaki Distillery”.

The place called the origin of the Japanese whiskey is in Yamasaki of Kyoto. Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is a distillery of Japan’s first single-malt whiskey.

This distillery hold daily tours of the manufacturing process of the whiskey. Because this tour supports English, Chinese, French, it is very popular among the tourists from the foreign countries.

In addition, Suntory Kyoto Brewery (Beer manufacturing plant) is near this factory.

• Factory tour details and reservation method
• Yamazaki Whiskey Library
• Factory tour report
• Rich natural environment
• How to get to Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

1.Factory tour details and reservation method

Factory tour is possible to book from 2 months ago.

Suntory Yamazaki distillery holds two types of tours.

1.Yamazaki distillery tour (fee required) 2.Yamazaki whiskey library tour (free)

Yamazaki whiskey library tour is free, but you cannot observe the process of manufacture. You can observe “Yamazaki whiskey library” freely.

Yamazaki distillery tour can visit the process of manufacture and can tasting the whiskey.(1,000 yen/one person)

I went to Yamazaki distillery tour this time.

Both of the tour must be booked in advance. Let’s make a reservation by all means.

You can perform the reservation on a telephone or the Internet.

●Telephone(9:30~17:00)*Japanese,English +81-75-962-1423

2.Yamazaki Whiskey Library

Yamazaki whiskey library is a facility that it is possible to know the history of whiskey. In addition, there is a tasting counter at 1F of this facility.

3.Factory tour report

It is a tour report of the factory tour.

Whiskey manufacturing process is divided into four steps of “Mashing”, “Fermentation”, “Still”, “Aging”.

②Fermentation

You can’t do recording and video recording, but can take a picture.

All the visits of the process of manufacture are the end. If there is an admission card, you can use Yamasaki whiskey library freely on that day.

4.Rich natural environment

5.How to get to Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

   Timetable and Route Search

How did you like it?

Have a nice trip to Japan! ( *´艸｀)

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Asia Travel: A Visit to the Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery, Yamazaki (near Kyoto), Japan

If you’re in Kyoto, make a reservation at Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery to learn about the craft of whisky making and indulge in some of the producer’s finest labels.

In this post we describe our visit to suntory yamazaki whisky distillery , review a history of the distillery and explore origins of japanese whisky..

• Suntory’s Yamazaki Distellery outside of Kyoto, Japan.
• To get to the distillery from Kyoto, take a train to Yamazaki or Ōyamazaki Station and walk approximately a half mile (800 meters) to the entrance of the distillery.
• Suntory offers two experiences: 1) The Yamazaki Whisky Museum viewing (free) and; 2) Yamazaki Distillery Tour (paid). Following both tours, indulge in some of the distilleries finest labels.
• We participated in the “Yamazaki Whisky Museum” and tasting.

Yamazaki Whisky Museum & Tasting

This tour presents the opportunity to learn about the the story of the early days in business, craftsmen, heritage & innovation, how whisky is made, a library of suntory whiskies, and concludes in a tasting of the label’s fine whisky..

Arrive to the distillery by train

Arrive to yamazaki station or ōyamazaki station and walk approximately a half mile (800 meters) to the entrance of the distillery., sign in at the guard tower with your reservation for the museum or distillery tour., because the distillery is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, make a reservation in advance. if you arrive without one, you may be turned away..

Enter the facility and make your way to the museum.

Learn about the origins of the Japanese whisky industry

1853 us president millard fillmore sent commodore matthew perry to japan. the mission of the trip was to reverse japan’s 220-year-old policy of national isolation under the tokugawa shogunate and to secure new trading routes. perry’s mission led to the signing of the japan-u.s. treaty of peace and amity., trade with japan opened and liquor like beer, wine and spirits flowed into the country. domestic producers try their hand at meeting the demand for whisky and other librations., 1918 the settsu sake company sent chemistry student masataka taketsuru to scotland to learn about whisky distilling. taketsuru enrolled in chemistry courses and apprenticed at longmorn, then later returned to japan to help a struggling settsu brewery co. with his newfound knowledge. but times had changed and the founder was no longer interested in incorporating taketsuru’s knowledge of scottish whisky making., taketsuru took his skills to torii shoten (suntory). read more about suntory below., citations: the whisky shop describes the origins of japanese whisky, bringing us from the 1850s through the formation of the suntory and nikka brands. for the full article, click here ..

Learn about how Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery evolved over the years to meet the tastes of their Japanese customers

In 1923 shinjiro torii decided to make “a perfect whisky that reflects the nature of japan and the spirit of japanese craftsmanship.”, he founded torii shoten (now called suntory) in yamazaki, a town in southwestern kyoto at the foot of mt.tennozan, where the katsura, uji, and kizu rivers meet. the quality of groundwater made yamazaki an ideal place for a distillery, with the ministry of the environment naming it one of japan’s one hundred best natural mineral waters., in the early 1920s torii shoten began to sell port wine and cheap imitation whiskies. torii asked taketsuru to help him set up the country’s first authentic japanese whisky distillery – yamazaki. taketsuru accepted the offer., in 1929 the distillery released its first real malt whisky, shirofuda ‘white label’,  but it was not a commercial success flat. torii speculated that the failure was due to the smokey flavor that was not suitable to the taste of japanese customers. taketsuru disagreed — he thought it best to keep to the tradition of scottish flavor profiles., this philosophical disgreement led to torii moving ahead with an updated flavor profile. when taketsuru’s 10-year contract ended at torii shoten, he went on to found nikka , a new japanese whisky label. taketsuru selected yoichi as the location of the distillery due to its of its similar environmental profile to scotland. in 1940 taketsuru released nikka whisky rare old ..

Finish your tour by walking past the library of whiskies the distillery has created over the years – a true nod to the legacy they’ve begun

Today both suntory and nikka dominate the japanese whisky market, with a friendly competition to win over the taste buds of japanese and worldwide consumers., in 2003, suntory’s yamazaki 12 year single malt whisky became the first japanese whisky to win the gold medal at the isc (international spirits challenge)..

End your visit by tasting the world’s best blended whisky: Suntory’s Hibiki 21 Year Old and other labels

Suntory’s hibiki 21 year old bottle typically retails for $800-$1,00 usd. at the suntory yamazaki distillery, you can try this bottle for a fraction of the price. because there is so much global demand for this bottle, suntory only releases a limited supply making it very hard to get one’s hand on a bottle., suntory hibiki 21 year old tasting notes, hibiki 21 year old was, yet again, selected as the best blended whisky in the world at the world whisky awards 2019. the judges described it as being “ elegant, sweet and complex. this whisky is full of dried fruit, orange peel, strawberry jam, and baked apple from start to finish. smooth, subtle and fairly short. ”, tasting note by the chaps at master of malt.

• World’s Best Blended Whisky (World Whiskies Awards, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2013, 2011, 2010)
• Trophy (International Spirits Challenge, 2013-2015)
• Gold Medal (International Spirits Challenge, 2012)

Citation: Dekanta , Master of Malt

Citation: suntory holdings limited ., make a booking.

• Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery
• The distillery offers two tours : Yamazaki Whisky Museum or Yamazaki Whisky Distillery Tour
• Both tour options include a paid tasting at the end of the tour

Getting there

–suntory yamazaki whisky distillery is 15 miles (24 km) southwest of kyoto, japan, –take local trains to get to the distillery, approximately a hour hour journey..

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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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• Dedication to quality
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• Yamazaki Whisky Museum

Roughly 10 minutes' walk from JR Yamazaki Station or Hankyu Oyamazaki Station.

An outline of the access routes from the nearest train stations is shown above. The time required is a guideline for the area and depends on the time of day, etc. Check online for the status of your transportation method before going out.

For visitors in tour buses or those who would like to use the parking lot for the disabled

Please contact us when making your reservation, as there is additional information available.

-> Read here for more details.

Frequently asked questions

Requests for visitors.

• * Individuals under the age of 20 must be accompanied by a supervisor over the age of 20.
• * Please follow our instructions inside the facility to ensure your safety as well as product cleanliness and quality.
• * As this is a food processing facility, in order to maintain food sanitation, we ask that visitors not bring food or drinks into the facility.
• * As this is a food processing facility, pets are not allowed except assistance dogs.

Cancellation Policy

• * Cancellation is possible via the Internet until noon two days before. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after the deadline, and no cancellation fees will apply. No cancellation fees will be applied.
• * It may occasionally be necessary to cancel factory tours in the case of bad weather (typhoons, heavy snow, etc.), natural disasters and so on. Please check with the website or by telephone in advance. In the event of unavoidable closure, the tour fees already paid for suspended tours will be refunded, but we will not facilitate rescheduling to alternative dates or times. Please note in advance that in the case of canceled tours, visitors are asked to bear any cancellation fees relating to travel and accommodation costs.
• * If you need to cancel or are unable to arrive on time for the tour due to transportation delays or road congestion, we regret to inform you that tour fees will not be refunded. However, we'll gladly reschedule your tour for the same day if there are seats available.

Basic Information

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

Tour Japan's top whisky distillery

I'm sitting with a group of people in the back of the crowded Tachinomi Marugin bar in Tokyo’s bustling Ginza district. The air is thick with cigarette smoke mingling with the savory tinge of grilled yakitori (Japanese skewered chicken). An after-work crowd has settled in to do some serious drinking, and the beverage of choice here is the highball. Another round arrives, along with some grilled chicken hearts and mystery meatballs, and a hearty “kanpai!” (cheers) resounds above the din.

The highball, a light and refreshing whisky and soda cocktail, is ubiquitous all over Japan, and the whisky of choice is often a Suntory expression. Suntory is the biggest whisky producers in Japan, operating three distilleries. Yamazaki, just outside of Kyoto, distills a range of single malt and blended whiskies. Its sister distillery, Hakushu, is located high up in foothills of the Japanese Alps, about a three-hour drive from Tokyo. And Chita, in the Aichi Prefecture, is responsible for producing the grain whisky used in many of Suntory’s blends. The new Whisky Toki, available only in America, is a blend of malt and grain whisky from all three distilleries.

Though Chita is not open to visitors, Yamazaki and Hakushu offer tours and tastings daily. Each has its own distinct take on Japanese whisky, which is uniquely different from the Scottish or American versions. Suntory was Japan’s first distillery, founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii. The goal was, and still is according to global brand ambassador Mike Miyamoto, to make whisky that is “light, subtle, yet complex.” Japanese whisky draws its inspiration from Scotland, where Suntory gets its malted barley. But the whisky’s flavor and history are unmistakably Japanese, with a focus on light, drinkable single malts and well balanced, complex blends that complement Japanese cuisine — and yes, make for a perfect highball.

Browse the gallery above for a sneak peek inside Suntory's distilleries where you can learn more about Japanese whisky on a visit. Reserve a tour and tasting online or by phone in advance.

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Whisky Tour between Osaka and Kyoto

Suntory Yamazaki: Mountainside Distillery, Museum, Shop

From our morning hour-long Suntory brewery visit, we head down the valley to Suntory Whisky Distillery. While the brewery is in Nagaokakyo, the distillery is a 15 minute drive (about ¥600 taxi fare) down the road in Yamazaki. We skirt alongside the bamboo forested Tenno Mountain. The road only accommodates one lane in places. Despite the heat, pedestrians and cyclists line the street near the distillery. They may be also visiting the neighboring, scenic Asahi Art Museum .

We cross the multiple train tracks twice near JR Yamazaki Station. The crossing gates close often, even as I was still bumping across the tracks. I almost hit a post, meant to divide pedestrians from motor vehicles. I am ready for a whisky, but being the designated driver, I am satisfied with the prospect of soaking up the fumes through my nose and pores. This is our third or fourth visit but the first time to drive there during the past six years of married life and of visiting my mother-in-law at her nearby Yamazaki residence during the holidays.

If you come by train, get off at either Yamazaki Station (JR Tokaido Line) or Oyamazaki Station (Hankyu Kyoto Line) and walk 10 minutes. The imposing, well-signed brewery looms on the mountainside right in front of the train crossing. Focus on getting across those tracks in one piece, especially after a whisky or two.

Well-kept grounds surround Yamazaki Distillery and will prove a delight to flower lovers. We park in a shaded spot in the spacious lot and rush to the reception near the entrance. My husband scores two free whisky glasses. How? It’s simple, he says, just click on the “free present” button on the Yamazaki Distillery (Japanese) homepage prior to visiting. That’s when our luck runs out. The noon tour is full. We had failed to reach the distillery’s reservations desk by phone that morning. R eservations and payment is required to join the 80 minute tour of the distillery; ask for the English audio guide . Our three year old son jumps and skips around, pulling my hand.

No tour, no chance to walk through the huge, dark cool storage facility where thousands of oak casks emit wonderful, pungent whisky fumes. As much as I love the tour, this time I can skip. My son cried though it last year - much more suitable to do without young children in tow. Sigh. Instead, we visit the small Whisky Museum, gift shop and tasting bar this time, in an open airy (not stinky for little stinkers) bright building. We enjoyed pulling out old whisky posters displayed in drawers near the gift shop, walking through the shop which sells such things as oak chopsticks and mechanical pencils, glass or metal flasks and shot glasses, chocolates, and of course whisky. We take the glass elevator downstairs and walk through the whisky library – glass shelves lined with golden and clear whisky from such places as Canada, Ireland, Scotland, the US; 95% are from Yamazaki. The oldest bottles I find are dated 1960. We take photos in front of the huge wooden vat and beautiful stainless still. Time for a sample at the bar. My husband orders a ¥100 flask of fresh whisky. The vapors bowl me over – 40% alcohol. He sips some genteelly, then leaves the rest in the glass. We drink up some complimentary spring water, then stroll back through the manicured gardens to our car.

The distillery tour, had we taken it, is barrier-free, and the last 20 minutes you sit down and sample chocolate, nuts, juice, water and for those of age, who are not driving or riding a bicycle, whisky. Weekday tours run from 10:00 ~ 15:00, every hour on the hour; during weekend and public holidays, tours are 10, 11 and 12 o’ clock only.

Find out more about Suntory Yamazaki Distillery .

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By Stacy Kurokawa

Community writer

Information

Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto, Mishima District, Osaka ( Directions )

+81-75-962-1423

suntory.com

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