4. Whisky distilleries in the Chubu region

4. Chubu Region

4-1. Niigata Beer Shinobu Distillery

Niigata Beer Brewery in Niigata obtained the first whisky distillation license in Niigata City in 2016 with the aim of providing high-quality whisky to spirits lovers using local fresh water.

During the construction of the distillery, we imported unoridated sake aged in sherry and bourbon barrels from distilleries around the world and mixed it at the Niigata Factory (Niigata City) to make the whisky “Koshino Shinobu” . Mizunara finish featuring a rich aroma that has been added and aged in domestic Mizunara barrels. 90% of the production is for exports, of which 40% are made up of the U.S.
Pay attention to future trends, including the construction of distillery.

Image Source：Shinobu Distillery

Location	〒953-0012 5120 Echizenhama, Nishikan-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
Acces	Access from the nearest station / 10 minutes by car from JR Echigo Line “Maki Station” Access from the nearest IC / 20 minutes by car from the Makigata Higashi IC on the Hokuriku Expressway
Started operation	Under construction
Official website	Niigata Beer Shinobu Distillery
Distillery tour	–
Commodity	Koshino Shinobu Pure Malt, Koshino-shinobu Blended Whisky, Koshino Shinobu Pure Malt 10 Years, Koshino Shinobu Pure Malt 15 Years

Ninnin Distillery’s signature whisky

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4-2. Suntory Spirits Hakushu Distillery

Suntory sought a different type of malt whisky unoridated liquor from Yamazaki Distillery and continued to look for water that was good quality and ideal for whisky preparation. And from the survey of various parts of the country, you will encounter the land of “Hakushu“, one of japan’s leading water resorts. In 1973, exactly 50 years after starting whisky production for the first time in Japan, Suntory’s second malt whisky distillery, Hakushu Distillery, finally opened.

The feature of Hakushu Distillery is the creation of a variety of undiscomponent undiscomponed sake that is unparalleled in the world.
In the fermentation process, we are particular about wooden tub fermenters with excellent heat retention, and the unique flavor unique to Hakushu is created by the work of microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria that live in distillation.
In the distillation process, various barrels are used in the storage (maturation) process by using different distiller’s pots of different sizes and shapes, and various barrels are used in the storage (maturation) process, and a variety of undissitioned sake is made in all processes from preparation to fermentation, distillation, and storage (maturation).

Image source：Suntory Hakushu Distillery

Location	〒408-0316 2913-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Access	From Nirasaki Station on the Chuo Main Line, take the bus bound for Shimokyorai Ishishita and get off at the “Matsubaragami” bus stop (1 day). A 15-minute taxi ride from Kobuchizawa Station on the Chuo Main Line. Shuttle bus 20 minutes from Kobuchizawa Station on the Chuo Main Line (for a limited time).
Started operation	1973
Official website	Suntory Hakushu Distillery
Distillery tour	Factory tour is temporarily suspended. (As of December 27, 2020)
Commodity	Single Malt Whisky Hakushu, Single Malt Whisky Hakushu 18 years, Single Malt Whisky 25 years

Typical whisky from Hakushu Distillery

4-3. Hombo Shuzo Mars Shinshu Distillery

Masataka Taketsuru is known as the creator of domestic whisky. At that time, Kiichiro Iwai of Settsu Shuzo (the creator of Mars whisky) entrusted The Dawn of Authentic Japanese Whisky to Mr. Taketsuru, who was 24 years old, and sent him to Scotland as his boss.

After returning to Japan, Mr. Taketsuru compiled the results of the whisky training in the Whisky Report and submitted it to Kiichiro Iwai. It is commonly called “Taketsuru Report” or “Taketsuru Note” .

Hombo Shuzo is mainly made from shochu in Kagoshima, but since acquiring a whisky production license in 1949, I have been dreaming that I want to make real whisky that makes use of the Japanese climate someday.

In 1960, Kiichiro Iwai designed the product “Taketsuru Note” and established Mars Yamanashi Winery, a factory for wine and whisky production. In 1985, we operated Mars Shinshu Distillery in Nagano Prefecture in search of a further ideal place in order to work on full-fledged whisky production. Surrounded by beautiful green forests at the foot of Mt. Komagatake in the Central Alps, the distillery stands in the silence of the clear air.

There is a tasting bar in the distillery’s visitor center where you can enjoy paid tastings. From the latest products of Mars whisky, you can enjoy a lot of lineups such as past limited editions.

It is a state of the exhibition at the whisky festival in 2019. New products released in the spring of 2020 were also on display at Iwai Tradition, Mortage Cosumo, Komagatake Limited 2019.

Location	〒399-4301 4752-31 Miyata-mura, Kamiina-gun, Nagano
Access	■By train Take the JR Iida Line to Komagane Station or Miyata Station, then take a taxi for about 10 minutes. ■By car Approximately 5 minutes from the Komagane IC on the Chuo Expressway
Started operation	1985
Official website	Hombo Shuzo Mars Shinshu Distillery
Distillery tour	Tours are available. Please apply by e-mail form or fax.
Commodity	Single Malt Whisky Komagatake

Typical whisky from Mars Shinshu Distillery

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4-4. Karuizawa Distilled Liquor Production Komoro Distillery

Karuizawa Distillery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. announced at a press conference in Komoro City that it will build a “Komoro Distillery” in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. A komoro distillery will be built in Matsui-ku, Komoro City, and it is scheduled to be completed in 2023. We plan to start selling single malts in 2027.

Karuizawa Distillery Co., Ltd. announced the construction of “Komoro Distillery” in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. It is scheduled to be completed in 2020.

4-5. Kirin Distillery Fuji Gautenba Distillery

In August 1972, Kirin Seagram Co., Ltd. was established through a three-country joint venture between Kirin Beer (Japan), JE Seagram (U.S.), and Seabus Brothers (UK), and the Fuji Gotemba Distillery started operations in August 1973.

 

Image Source：Whiskypedia｜BS Fuji 5th broadcast 2020/4/9

Fuji Gotemba Distillery has been particular about the production of “grain whisky” using corn, wheat, etc. as the raw material of whisky. Continuous distillers are commonly used to produce grain whisky. At Fuji Gotemba Distillery, we make various characteristics of grain whisky by making full use of three types of continuous distillers: “Multi-Column” , “Kettle” , and “Doubler” .

As a typical whisky, there was “50° Barrel Mule Sake at the foot of Mt. Fuji“, but due to demand exceeding expectations from 2018, it became difficult to supply the raw sake necessary for production, and it ended sales at the end of March 2019. Although successor products were not released, “Blend Signature Signature” released from 2017 has been generally distributed in the domestic market since 2018, and is now sold as a current product.

In 2016, “Fuji Gotemba Distillery Single Grain Whisky AGED 25 YEARS SMALL BATCH” won the World Best Grain Award at the World Whisky Award 2016.
On March 31, 2017, Jota Tanaka, the master blender at Kirin Distillery Fuji Gotemba Distillery, won the world’s best award in the Master Distiller and Master Blender category of Icons of Whisky.
On March 27, 2020, Kirin Single Grain Whisky Fuji 30 Years won the World’s Best Grain Award at the World Whisky Awards 2020.

Location	〒412-0003 970 Shibaida, Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Access	■Free shuttle bus service from JR Gotemba Station Please exit the ticket gate at JR Gotemba Station and proceed to the maiden exit. The roundabout of the station is the shuttle bus stop. ■ Get off the Tomei Expressway Gotemba I.C towards Lake Yamanaka and go straight on National Route 138 for about 6km on the right side
Started operation.	1973
Official website	Kirin Distillery Fuji Gotemba Distillery
Distillery tour	Tours are available. * Tours are only available to customers living in Shizuoka Prefecture for the time being. *Factory tours and shops will be closed from December 21 (Mon.) to January 7, 2021 (Thursday).
Commodity	Signature blend at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Single grain whisky Fuji

Typical whisky of Fuji Gotemba Distillery

4-6. Gaia Flow Shizuoka Distillery

Gaia Flow Distilling Co., Ltd. purchased and acquired whisky production equipment from Mercian Karuizawa Distillery in March 2015. Reusable equipment such as pulverizers and distillers used for malt pulverization was repaired and improved before being relocated to Shizuoka Distillery, and preparations for whisky production were recommended.

In 2015, we started construction of a Shizuoka distillery in a district called Tamagawa in Okushizu (Oku-Shizuoka area) in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and obtained a whisky production license in September 2016. We started producing whisky in October 2016.
It is manufactured by three distillers: a distiller (K) relocated from Karuizawa Distillery and two Scottish distillers (W).

A distillery that is integrated with nature by using plenty of hinoki cypress grown in Okushizu in distillery buildings and fermentors. We aim to create whisky that harmonizes with nature rooted in the climate of Shizuoka.

There is a paid tasting corner in the distillery, and you can enjoy not only Shizuoka Prologue Shillies, but also new pots and undulated sake in the middle of aging.
In addition, you can also sample a lot of whiskys such as Indian whisky “Amrut” imported and sold by Gaia Flow Shizuoka Distillery and Scotch’s Bottlers “Blackadder”.

Location	〒421-2223 555 Ochiai, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Access	From JR Shizuoka Station, take the “Shizutetsu Just Line” bus for 60 minutes. Get on from platform 9 of “Shizuoka Ekimae” bus stop. Get off at “Okudaragami” bus stop on the Abe Line (bound for Kamiochiai 118) and walk for 1 minute Alternatively, get off at “Kamisuke” bus stop on the Abe Line (119 bound for Yokozawa) and walk 15 minutes.
Started operation	2016
Official website	Gaia Flow Shizuoka Distillery
Distillery tour	Tours are available. Reservation required from the tour page on the website
commodity	Single Malt Whisky Shizuoka “Prologue K”

Representative whisky of Shizuoka Distillery

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4-7. Wakatsuru Shuzo Saburomaru Distillery

Wakatsuru Shuzo Co., Ltd., which operates Sabromaru Distillery, started brewing sake in Saburomaru Village, Tonami-gun, Toyama Prefecture in 1862, and is a sake brewery with a very long history in Hokuriku.

After the end of World War II, he independently conducted research on distilled liquor production and obtained a whisky production license in 1952 in order to overcome the difficulties. Since 1953, we have been selling Sunshine whisky in Toyama Prefecture.

Representative whisky of Sabromaru Distillery

4-8. Suntory Chita Distillery

Chita Distillery on the Chita Peninsula overlooks Ise Bay. It is a grain whisky distillery established by the Suntory Group in collaboration with the Zenno Group. It is one of three distilleries owned by Suntory in the country.

For more than 40 years since its operation began in 1973, we have continued to make grain whisky using corn as our main raw material. Chita’s whisky raw liquor is blended into the world-renowned blended whisky “Hibiki” and “Kaku” , and enhances the individuality of malt whisky raw liquor, which was born at Suntory Yamazaki Distillery and Hakushu Distillery, creating a smoother taste.
In 2015, he launched Chita, a single grain whisky composed of grain whisky raw liquor from Chita Distillery.

Location	〒478-0046 16 Kitahamacho, Chita City, Aichi Prefecture
Access	–
Started Operation	1973年
Official website	Suntory Chita Distillery
Distillery tour	It is not open to the public.
Commodity	Single Grain Whisky Chita

Chita Distillery’s representative whisky

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4-9. Niigata Small Scale Distillery Niigata Kameda Distillery

Niigata Kameda Distillery is a limited company established by Otani Co., Ltd., a major seal seller. In 2018, the Niigata Innovation Program, sponsored by Nomura Securities Niigata Branch and others, realized a craft whisky production business plan announced by three companies, including Otani Co., Ltd. as a team. The company launched the business in March 2019 and built a distillery on the premises of the head office factory of Otani Co., Ltd.
Niigata Kameda Distillery is the first company in Niigata Prefecture to manufacture authentic Japanese whisky that performs barley, which is the raw material, from germination to distillation.
The distiller is manufactured by Forsyth in Scotland, and the fermentors used to ferment wort are made of stainless steel and wooden vats. The distillation is expected to begin in March 2021 and full-scale sales in 2024. The annual production capacity is 30,000 liters.
For the time being, we plan to use malt imported from Scotland, but we have contracted with the agricultural corporation Shirogin Culture (Akiha-ku, The City) to secure 4 tons of barley as raw materials. Distillation with 100% malt from the prefecture is expected to begin by the end of this year. In addition, the company is considering the production of rice whisky using rice produced in the prefecture as a future movement, and plans to expand facilities after the summer in order to meet domestic and overseas demand. From autumn 2021, the company plans to sell new pots of whisky before barrel filling.
Niigata Small-scale Distillery is capitalized at 30 million yen. The total project cost so far has been JPY 240 million.

Location	〒950-0141 1-3-5 Kameda Industrial Park, Gangnam-ku, Niigata
Access	A 30-minute walk from JR Kameda Station
Started Operation	March 2019
Official Website	Niigata Kameda Distillery Niigata Small Scale Distillery LLC
Distillery tour	–
Commodity	–

4-10. Totsuka Shuzo Karuizawa Distillery

Shigeru Totsuka, the 16th president of Totsuka Shuzo (Saku City), founded in 1653, launched a new whisky manufacturing company, Karuizawa Whisky Co., Ltd., and built the Karuizawa Distillery from Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku County. Construction begins in the spring of 2021.

The new company was privately funded by President Totsuka and was established in November 2019. A distillery and storage facility were built on 1.3 hectares. The company plans to produce approximately 60,000 liters of whisky annually with the aim of starting sales in 2024. The total project cost is expected to be JPY 700 million to JPY 800 million.
The raw barley will be cultivated in cooperation with local agricultural cooperatives in the Saku region, and the water brewed will be used from the water at the foot of Mt. Asama and Mt. Yatsugatake.

4-11. Kiyosuzakura Brewery

Founded in 1853. This sake brewery is famous for its brand of “Kiyosu Castle Nobunaga Onikoroshi” continuously following its long tradition and quality-oriented attitude.
There is no special pot still for distillation of whisky, and a distiller used in shochu is used in combination.
Currently, the lineup of whiskies is only one blended whisky of “Craft Whisky Kiyosu” , which was released in September 2019 with a limited number (10,000 bottles), and both malt and grain undrafts are distilled in-house.
It has also been commercialized as an additional part in 2020. (Limited number unknown)

The feature is that the yeast at the time of fermentation takes advantage of its characteristics as a sake maker and uses fragrant sake yeast. It is packed in oak barrels and aged slowly for five years in the underground cellar of the sake brewery.

Location	〒452-0942　 1692 Kiyosu, Kiyosu City, Aichi Prefecture
Access	5-minute walk from Meitetsu Shin-Kiyosu Station
Started Operation	Started distilling whisky in 2014
Official Website	Kiyosuzakura Brewery Co., Ltd.
Distillery tour	–
Commodity	Aichi Craft Whisky Kiyos

Typical whisky of Cheongju Sakura Brewery

4-12. Juzan Co., Ltd. Ikawa Distillery

Juzan Co., Ltd. was established in Tashiro, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City in April 2020 through a new split from Tokushu Tokai Paper Co., Ltd. We will conduct whisky production business using company-owned forests in the northern part of Shizuoka City. The company plans to start distillation in the summer of 2020 and ship it after 2027. With the aim of producing “authentic” matured for more than seven years, the company expects to produce about 5,000 to 6,000 bottles in the first year of shipment.
Jpy 1.09 billion will be invested in the construction of a distillery. A distillation building and a maturation warehouse were constructed along the Oi River in a site area of about 2,000 square meters. Distillation Building: Steel Frame 2 Stories Total 860㎡, Maturation Cabinet: Steel Frame One-Story Building 357㎡

Location	〒428-0505 1299-1 Tashiro, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Access	–
Started Operation	Start of distillation in 2020
Official Website	–
Distillery tour	–
Commodity	–

4-13. Gyokusendo Shuzo Yoro Distillery

Founded in 1806. Since then, we have been working on shochu, mirin, liqueur, etc., mainly in sake for more than 200 years.
The representative brands are “Minogiku” and “Reisen” of sake.

Gyokusendo Shuzo is famous for its “peak whisky” . It is “local whisky” that dominated the world from the 1975s to 1975.

A blend of Scottish malt sake aged for 8 years and whisky (malt) produced at Gyokusendo Sake Brewery using the pure underground water of the Yoro Mountains, known for “Yoro Falls”. After 10 years of aging in oak barrels, grain whisky is blended and aged for another 6 years to deepen the ripening degree.
Peak whisky has a capacity of 1,800ml and a peak whisky special has a capacity of 720ml.

“Peak Newbone 2018” was released from Gyokusendo Shuzo in June 2019.
Relausing in-house distillation for the first time in 40 years. A limited release newbone that was distilled in October 2018 using British barley malt and aged for about half a year with sherry casks and bourbon casks. Alcohol content is 55%, capacity 200ml.
Looking at the website of Gyokusendo, it is a mysterious product that does not mention this NewBone or Yoro Distillery at all, but it was confirmed that it will be aged for about 3 to 5 years in the future and shipped to the market as whisky.

Location	〒503-1314 800-3 Takada, Yoro-cho, Yoro-gun, Gifu
Access	A 5-minute walk from Minotakada Station on the Kintetsu Yoro Line
Started Operation	2018 (Whisky distillation resumed for the first time in 40 years)
Official Website	Gyokusendo Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Distillery tour	–
Commodity	Peak Newbourne 2018, Peak Whisky, Peak Whisky Special

Representative whisky of Yoro Distillery

4-14.Nozawa Onsen Distillery Co., Ltd. 

Philip Richards, who runs a café and bar in Nozawa Onsen Village, started construction in 2021. The plant is scheduled to start operations in June 2022.

The goal is to become a new tourist attraction in Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, which boasts one of the best powder snow and vastness in Japan, leisure such as cycling, and Nozawa Onsen Village, which has many outdoor baths in the green season.

In addition to a distillery tour, Nozawa Onsen Distillery plans to have a gift shop, a craft bar where you can enjoy tastings, and a herb garden.

As of January 2022, Craft Gin, malt whisky and grain whisky are scheduled to be produced, and Craft Gin uses distillers manufactured by Karl of Germany. Using the vapor infusion method using baskets, the spring water flowing down Mt. Kenashi where the Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is built and the famous products of Nozawa Onsen Village are used as botanicals. We are planning to manufacture a gin with the concept of “I want to make a gin that reminds me of Nozawa Onsen village when I drink a bottle I brought home as a souvenir” at home.

The whisky is made from a distiller manufactured by Nap Luwa in Tasmania. The age has not been decided, and it is tried and aged repeatedly until it is high quality and convincing bear delicious. The company is also considering the production of grain whisky, and expects to produce a new type of grain whisky using wheat, buckwheat and rice. As of January 2022, the distillery is under construction and the introduction of the distiller is expected in March.

The planned lineup includes standard craft gin, limited-time gin using seasonal botanicals, high-quality single malt whisky, grain whisky using wheat, buckwheat noodles, and rice, and blended whisky.

Location	〒389-2502 Toyogo, Nozawa Onsen Village, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture9394
Access	20 minutes by taxi from Toganosawa Onsen Station 25 minutes by car from Toyota Iiyama I .C
Started Operation	Scheduled to start distillation in June 2022
Official Website	Nozawa Onsen Distillery
Distillery tour	Tour planned
Commodity	–

4-15.Ide Brewery Fuji Hokuroku Distillery

Ide Shuzo, whose predecessor was soy sauce brewing, which started operations around 1700, was.

We started to manufacture sake. He obtained a whisky manufacturing license in 2020. He has made full use of the knowledge and technology cultivated in Sake brewing and has been experimenting with it.

Fuji Hokuroku Distillery manufactures malt whisky and grain whisky, and aims to make whisky with an emphasis on aroma using sake yeast and the pure underground water of Mt. Fuji.

In the future, we plan to start a distillery tour, and we will crowdfund the funds for the expansion with original glasses and new pots as return products. We have succeeded in raising about three times the target amount. As of 2022, we are also recruiting cask owners. Click here for details.

Malt whisky is made from Non-Pete malt from Germany and aged in white oak bourbon barrels. The barrels are packed in 2020 and actual sales are expected in 2023.

Location	〒401-0301 8 Funatsu, Kawaguchiko-cho, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi
Access	A 10-minute drive from the Kawaguchiko Interchange on the Chuo Expressway 10-minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station
Started Operation	Start of distillation in 2020
Official Website	Ide Brewery
Distillery tour	Tour planned
Commodity	Grain Malt Whisky Daijukai Fuji North Foot Distillery Highball

4-16.Yoshida Denzai Distillery, Yoshida Denzai Co., Ltd.

Established in 1940, Yoshida Denzai Kogyo Co., Ltd., which manufactures and sells electrical equipment, manufactures synthetic resins, processes and sells medical equipment, and Yoshiden Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Yoshiden Co., Ltd., were established. We aim to make high-quality and honest whisky with our technological capabilities that have supported Japanese manufacturers since the Showa era.

Yoshida Denki Distillery specializes in producing grain whisky and is planning to produce blended with malt whisky from craft distilleries in Niigata Prefecture and other prefectures. Differentiate yourself from other craft distilleries.

In addition, we are considering cooperation with local people using dent corn from Niigata Prefecture as raw materials.

Pot Still uses a hybrid still made in Germany, and has a unique facility that allows you to freely mix three kinds of grains in the raw material processing process.

The distillery is currently under construction, but distillation is expected to begin in April 2022. (As of February 10, 2022)

Location	〒110-0016 344-1 Shudda, Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture
Access	Approximately 5 minutes’ drive from The Shinrin Iwafune Port IC
Started Operation	Start of distillation in 2022
Official Website	Yoshida Denzai Distillery Official Website
Distillery tour	–
Commodity	–

4-17. Funasaka Sake Brewery Hida Takayama Distillery

Funasaka Sake Brewery, a long-established sake brewery that has been in business since the Edo period, will breathe new life into the world as a whisky distillery by utilizing the school building of Takane Elementary School, which was closed due to the decrease in the number of children due to the submerged school district in a dam lake and depopulation in 2007.

The total project cost is JPY 300 million. Raised funds with SDGs private placement bonds issued by Juroku Bank and Takayama Shinkin Bank, respectively. A part of the issuance fee is donated to designated destinations, and it is sent to Asahi Elementary and Junior High Schools, where children in the Takane area go to, and Takayama City, which has signed real estate lease agreements for the former Takane Elementary School.

From the end of March 2022, we will collect support for the target amount of 10 million yen on the crowdfunding site “Makuake”.

The site of Takane Elementary School, the site of the Hida Distillery, has an altitude of nearly 900 meters. The water that springs from the mountains and the low temperature throughout the year make it a good place for whisky making.

The company plans to produce single malt whisky using ZEMON, a pot still made from copper and tin developed by Wakatsuru Shuzo in Toyama Prefecture using bonsho manufacturing technology. The gymnasium is used as a distillery and the school building is used as a storage. In addition, there will be a facility in the school building where you can learn how to make whisky.

Hiroki Arisu, president of Funasaka Sake Brewery, says, “It will be a plus for the employment of brewers by making sake in winter and whisky from spring to autumn,” and “Being able to breathe new life into old school facilities and create facilities that lead to tourism and employment is a hope for regions suffering from depopulation.”

Construction is scheduled to begin in late April 2022 for the repair of Takane Elementary School and start operation in April 2023. Sales will begin in April 2026 or later.

Location	〒509-3413 164-2 Shimonomuga, Takane-cho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
Access	Nearest station: About 30 minutes by car from Kusano Station on the JR Takayama Main Line
Started Operation	Start of distillation in 2023
Official Website	–
Distillery tour	Whisky seminar will be held.
Commodity	–

4-18. SASAKAWA WHISKY Co., Ltd. Mt. Fuji Distillery

Mt. Fuji Distillery is a whisky distillery built at the foot of Mt. Fuji.

Using wooden wash backs, pot stills with an open flame heating system are custom-made at Miyake Seisakusho. We will focus on bringing out the potential of yeast and lactic acid bacteria. The storage is dunnage type. In addition, the maturation is carefully aged until it is satisfactory taste.

There is a Mt. Fuji Distillery in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, which boasts a vast site of 10,000 square meters, and uses the underground water of Mt. Fuji. The forested grounds are filled with clear air and are 1000m above sea level. In summer, the weather is cool and suitable for whisky making.

Location	〒403-0005 4918-1 Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Access	Approximately 8 minutes’ drive from the Kawaguchiko IC on the Chuo Expressway About 10 minutes by taxi from Mt. Fuji Station
Started Operation	Scheduled for October 2022
Official Website	Mt. Fuji Distillery Official Website
Distillery tour	Scheduled to be implemented
Commodity

4-19. Takebe Orimono Co.

“Takebe Orimono,” a textile business in Takebe, Nakanotomachi, Ishikawa Prefecture, started whisky production as a new business.

The company utilized a closed junior high school (former Tounan Junior High School). This will be the first whisky distillery in the Noto region.

The company plans to start production in the summer of 2023.

Osamu Tanaka, president of Takebe Orimono, commented, “We want to produce all-Noto whisky by aging it with well-cleaned water, barley, and Noto hiba (Japanese cypress), and then introduce it to the world.”

The former Tounan Junior High School in Kurosaki-cho, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is located in the easternmost part of the city facing Toyama Bay, on a 6,069 square meter site with a two-story reinforced concrete building. According to the city, the middle school closed in 2009, and the building was used as a school building for the nearby aging Ariiso Elementary School until its closure in March 2018.

Location	〒925-1383 20 Sa, Kurosaki-cho, Nanao-shi
Access to the distillery	Approximately 30 minutes from Nanao Station by car
Commencement of business	Scheduled for summer 2023
Official HP	ー
Inspection	ー
Product	ー

4-20. Oriental Brewing Co. Yuwaku Distillery

Established in 2016 in Kanazawa City, craft beer producer Oriental Brewing Co. has begun producing whisky for the first time in Ishikawa Prefecture.

In June 2022, the company will build a whisky distillery attached to its own beer brewery in Higashimachi, Kanazawa. In addition to barley, local white bran produced when rice for Daiginjo is milled is used as an ingredient. The barrels used for maturation will be made of Noto Hiba (Noto Hiba) for the mirror plates. They have already obtained a license to produce whisky.

With the prolonged Corona disaster, the company entered the whisky business as another pillar of its operations to complement the restaurants it operates.

In keeping with its corporate philosophy of “proposing uniqueness rooted in the community,” the company will also use local ingredients and aims to launch the product in 2025. With the popularity of Japanese whisky growing overseas, the company is also looking to export in the future.

In parallel, the company plans to produce craft gin, which, like beer and whisky, will use local ingredients.

Location	〒920-1121 32 Higashimachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Access to the distillery	From Kanazawa Station, take bus 【12 Yuwaku line bound for Yuwaku Onsen】about 35 minutes, and 15 minutes walk from the bus stop.
Commencement of business	August 2022
Official HP	Oriental Brewing official website
Inspection	ー
Product	ー

4-21.Sun. Foods Nirasaki MIDAI Distillery

Established in 1976The company started out manufacturing food seasonings.
It was not until 2014 that the company obtained a license to manufacture whiskey.
The company’s three main products are “Fujigamine,” “Nirasaki,” and “Gotei.”
They are relatively inexpensive, ranging from about 1,000 yen to 4,000 yen, and easily accessible with a large number in circulation.
The company mainly deals in whiskies produced overseas, and the only whisky labeled as Japanese whisky is Nirasaki Blended Japanese.
It is very interesting to note that the attached image is for reference only. (As of May 2023, the wording is gone because the site is being renewed.)
Since there is no information on pot stills, we would like to keep a close eye on this site with high expectations for future developments.

Location	640 Minamiwari, Shimojyo, Tatsuoka-cho, Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Access to the distillery	ー
Commencement of business	2014
Official HP	Nirasaki MIDAI  Distillery Official Brand Site
Inspection	ー
Product	ー

Typical products of Nirasaki MIDAI Distillery

4-22.Tokuoka Holdings Minami Alps Wine and Beverage Fuefuki Plant

The company’s origins lie in a local liquor store that has been in business for nearly 150 years.
About 50 years ago, the company started a wine business and has since gone on to import wines, operate a winery in Germany, and consult for liquor companies in China, among other businesses.
It is the source of the much talked-about Top Value whiskey.
It is still available today under the brand name “SNAZZ” at Aeon-affiliated supermarkets for about 600 yen.
The lineup listed on the official website includes “Hachikuma,” “Kumataka,” “Kakutaka 5-year barrel aged,” “Kakutaka Pure Malt,” and other variations such as 2L back-in-box and 4L PET bottles.

Location	191-1, Kamiyasaku, Ichinomiya-cho, Fuefuki-shi, Yamanashi, Japan
Access to the distillery	ー
Commencement of business	ー
Official HP	Southern Alps Wine and Beverage
Inspection	ー
Product	ー

Typical Products of Minami Alps Wine and Beverage Fuefuki Plant

4-23.Kiyokawa Corporation Iiyama Mountain Farm Distillery

David Traiano, a native of Italy who formerly made his living as an importer and wholesaler, established KIYOKAWA Co. in 2016.
In 2018, he established MOST FARM, a joint venture agricultural corporation, and developed “Yukihana Rokujo,” a six-row barley for snow country.
In 2019, the company opened the Iiyama Distillery to start distilling and changed its name to “Iiyama Mountain Farm Distillery” in 2022.
In the initial phase, there was only one small hybrid still with a capacity of 500 liters, but a still made by Frilli of Italy and a hybrid still made by DYE of China, which were introduced for the first time in Japan, were installed.
In conjunction with this, four oak fermenters made by Garbelotto of Italy were introduced, and stainless steel fermenters are scheduled to be introduced in the future.
Two mash tuns manufactured by German company Cheiman were installed.
The bottling equipment is fully automatic, and was also made by Polaris of Italy for the first time in Japan.
Kensei” and “Nobushi,” which were popular and controversial in Russia, were released.
Currently, the Togari Onsen distillery is under construction in the adjacent area, and this distillery is scheduled to produce grain whiskey.

Location	5123-30 Toyoda, Iiyama-shi, Nagano, 389-2411 Japan
Access to the distillery	Approximately 19 minutes on foot from Togari-Nozawaonsen Station exit
Commencement of business	2016
Official HP	KIYOKAWA JAPAN (kiyokawa-sake.co.jp)
Inspection	ー
Product	ー

4-24.Tokinosumika CO. Fuji-Kaguya Distillery

A large company with several group companies, including hot springs, hotels, leisure facilities, and restaurants.
Fugaku Beer is famous.
Fuji Kaguya Distillery, where brewing and distilling are possible, is located in the affiliated facility called s_pl@tt FUJISPARK, a sports facility equipped with a baseball field, gymnasium, soccer field, and other facilities for all kinds of sports, including a hotel bathhouse and restaurant.
The distillery is located in a sports facility with a hotel, baths, and restaurant. The distillery produces a whisky called “whisky the Takasago 2022,” a blend of 25-year-old spirits from the Ginpan Brewery in Toyama, 3-year-old Kuma shochu derived spirits from the Joraku Brewery in Kumamoto, and malt whisky from the Fuji-Kaguya distillery.

所在地
蒸溜所へのアクセス
創業開始	1994年3月4日
公式HP	s_pl@tt FUJISPARK
見学	可→詳細はこちらから
商品	富嶽麦酒

Location	325-5, Ohbuchi, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Access to the distillery	Right after getting off the Shin-Fuji IC
Commencement of business	1994
Official HP	s_pl@tt FUJISPARK
Inspection	Acceptable -> Click here for details
Product	Fugaku Beer

4-25.Aioi Unibio Corporation Hekinan Distillery

The company has a long history, starting production of mirin (sweet sake) in 1872.
In 1949, soon after the end of the war, the company began production of “Rainbow Whiskey,” a second-class whiskey (*whiskey with an admixture ratio of 5% or more but less than 30% real whiskey).
Abandoned the whiskey business once due to two natural disasters.
In 2019, the company resumes its whisky business on the 70th anniversary of the start of the whisky business.
Current product lineup includes “Hekiju” and “Hekiju PEAT,” a blend of Canadian-based Scotch and Islay, “Ichi Heki,” a single cask that won the TWSC 2023 Gold Award, “Rainbow Whiskey (alc37%),” and “HINOTORI,” a blended Japanese whiskey sold only in France are available.
The photos of pot stills and other details of each equipment are shrouded in mystery, but it is said that they use their own distillation.

所在地	〒447-0814 愛知県碧南市弥生町4丁目3番地
蒸溜所へのアクセス	碧南駅から徒歩約10分
創業開始	2019年
公式HP	相生ユニビオ株式会社
見学
商品	碧州、碧州PEAT、一碧、レインボーウイスキー、HINOTORI

Location	4-3 Yayoi-cho, Hekinan-shi, Aichi 447-0814, Japan
Access to the distillery	10 minutes walk from Hekinan Station
Commencement of business	2019
Official HP	Aioi Unibio Corporation
Inspection	ー
Product	Hekishu, Hekishu PEAT, Rainbow Whiskey, HINOTORI

4-26.Iseman Ise Distillery

Iseman was established in 1984 (Showa 59).
Its main product, sake “Okagesama” won Gold at the Brussels International Competition “SAKE selection” and has won three gold medals at the National New Sake Competition since 2017, and is the only brewery in Iseshima and the first craft whiskey in Iseshima.

Whiskey Jinji KAMIJI, a grain-based whiskey aged in bourbon barrels, which went on sale in December 2021, was entered for the first time in the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2022, a global sake competition, and won the Gold Award in the World Whiskey category in its first year on the market, becoming a hot topic It became a topic of conversation.

所在地	〒516-0025　伊勢市小俣町明野５７６-１３
蒸溜所へのアクセス	近鉄山田線明野駅から徒歩15分
創業開始	1984年
公式HP	伊勢満
見学	ー
商品	ウイスキー神路(KAMIJI)　おかげさま大吟醸

Location	576-13 Akeno, Omata-cho, Ise-shi, Ise 516-0025
Access to the distillery	15 minutes walk from Akeno Station on the Kintetsu Yamada Line.
Commencement of business	1984
Official HP	ISEMAN
Inspection	ー
Product	神路(KAMIJI)

伊勢満の代表的なウイスキー

4-27.Whiskey&Co.  Distillery Water Dragon

Whiskey&Co. was established in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo in January 2021 to manufacture and sell craft spirits and provide consulting services for liquor and other brands.
The company will launch a new style called “Japanese “Bourbon whisky” Style” to convey the appeal of American bourbon whiskey.
Teen Spirits” won the silver prize at the Tokyo Whiskey & Spirits Competition (TWSC) in 2022.
The company is also actively involved in “FiNANCiE,” a token-issuing crowdfunding service that utilizes blockchain technology, which allows customers to purchase tokens to expand their access to the distillery, gain the right to become a cask owner, and purchase tokens for the “Water Gate” restaurant bar in the 97-year-old earthen warehouse that was renovated. The distillery is located on the second floor of Water Gate, a 97-year-old earthenware warehouse that has been renovated into a restaurant-bar.
The current target maturation period for the sake is three years, but depending on the maturation status, a two-year maturation period may be offered.
Two batches of 200-300 kg per batch (per day).
The grains used are in keeping with bourbon whiskey, with a mixture of maize (corn), rye, and malt.
In the future, they plan to mix mais, wheat, and malt.
The distillation machine is a single machine, made in Germany by Arnold Holstein.
Currently in the new-make stage, the quality is so high that it is suitable for drinking as it is, and they are looking forward to aging it.
At the moment, they are aiming for a clean, ethereal, mellow flavor.
Distillery Water Dragon’s strengths include the ability to change the ratio of ingredients, the ability to freely select the grains of the ingredients themselves, and the ability to change the aroma by changing the yeast.

Location	18-5 Taisha-cho, Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture, 411-0853 Japan
Access to the distillery	15 minutes walk from JR Mishima Station
Commencement of business	2021
Official HP	Whiskey&Co.
Inspection	Possible (depends on tokens held)
Product	TeenSpirits、On Spring

4-28.Hakkai Brewery Fukasawahara DistilleryHakkai Brewery Fukasawahara Distillery

The Fukasawahara distillery is operated by Hakkai Jozo, known for its sake Hakkaiyama, and is located in Uonuma-no-sato, a leisure facility with a variety of restaurants, a museum, and a café.
In 2005, the distillery produced shochu as the original “Fukasawahara Distillery,” and in April 2016 obtained a license to produce whiskey, and since then has continued to produce grain made from rice.
At the same time, they also operate the Niseko Distillery, and are one of the few distillers to have two distilleries among the craft distilleries that have started to increase in recent years.
The brewing water used for the whiskey is “Raiden-sama no Shimizu” (Raiden-sama’s fresh water) just like Hakkaisan.
The maturing barrels are oak barrels, and a 7-year aged rice grain whiskey is scheduled to be released in April 2024. It will be interesting to see if there will be a blended product with the Niseko distillery in the future.

所在地	〒949-7112 新潟県南魚沼市長森３４３−９
蒸溜所へのアクセス	JR上越線五日町駅からタクシーで10分
創業開始	2005年
公式HP	魚沼の里
見学	見学不可
商品	八海山本格米焼酎 オーク樽貯蔵 風媒花　ライディーンビール

Location	343-9 Nagamori, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-7112
Access to the distillery	10 minutes by cab from Itsukamachi Station on the JR Joetsu Line
Commencement of business	2005
Official HP	Uonuma no Sato魚沼の里
Inspection	Visits not permitted
Product	Hakkaisan Authentic Rice Shochu Oak Barrel Stored Fu-Mai-Hana Raideen Beer

深沢原蒸溜所の代表的な商品