The “Komoro Distillery whisky Festival 2025” will be held on March 1 (Sat) and 2 (Sun), 2025. This is a new style of festival that allows visitors to enjoy not only the Komoro Distillery, but also special venues in the city of Komoro and walking around town.
Visitors will rediscover the unique experience of the festival and the charm of whisky! The Komoro Distillery Whisky Festival, which was very popular last year, will be held again this year. This is a new winter event with whisky as its theme, and you can also enjoy walking around the town. Please enjoy a new whisky experience starting from Komoro.
１．Outline of the Komoro Distillery Whisky Festival 2025
1-1. Festival Details
◎Experience unique to the festival and rediscover the charm of whisky!
| Date | Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2, 2025 |
| Time | 10:00 – 18:00 (Opening hours may differ for special venues) |
| Venue | Komoro Distillery and special venues in Komoro City |
| Price | One-day ticket: 4,000 yen (advance reservation), 5,000 yen (at the door) （Special Academy project will be charged separately) |
Image source: Komoro Distillery
Image source: Komoro Distillery
[various experiences available at each venue].
In addition to tasting bottles from distilleries that participated in last year’s World Whisky Forum and whiskies that have just made their debut in Japan, food pairings, an aroma guessing quiz, and other activities will be available to fully enjoy the appeal of whisky. Special events will also be held, including a string trio by the NHK Symphony Orchestra, a performance by a saxophone player, and a portrait service by a famous artist.
[Enjoy history and gourmet food on a walking tour of the city of Komoro].
Visitors can enjoy local delicacies and history while walking through the old-fashioned and elegant streets scattered along the Hokkoku Kaido Road. To make your stroll even more pleasant, we have prepared a city walking map so that you can visit your favorite spots while taking advantage of the bus tours. In addition, a stamp rally will be held this year as well, where you can win gorgeous prizes.
Please visit the stores listed on the map to collect stamps and enter for a chance to win prizes.
Discover the charms of Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture.
At the “Honmachi Machiya-Kan” located along the Hokkoku Kaido Road, an event is being held at the same time to showcase the appeal of delicious wines, Japanese sake, and gin from Nagano Prefecture.
This venue is also a stop for the circular bus service, so please stop by when you visit the Festival.
*Reservations can be made here: https://komorodistillery.resv.jp/
1-2. Special Academy Project
A conversation between two master blenders ~Whisky Wisdom~ (advance reservations required)
Mr. Jota Tanaka of Fuji Gotemba Distillery and Mr. Ian Chan of Komoro Distillery of Kirin Brewery Company will be speaking.
They will discuss the deep world of whisky with tastings of whiskies from Fuji Gotemba Distillery and new make and new born whiskies from the Komoro Distillery.
Image source: Komoro Distillery
Special seminar by Ian Chan ~The Road to the Future~ (advance reservation required)
Ian Chan will hold a seminar for this day only. He will talk about the Komoro Distillery’s history and future prospects in its second year of whisky production, while you enjoy a single cask of Mizunara and other selected newbones from the Komoro Distillery.
Image source: Komoro Distillery
For more information, please visit ↓ here.
２．About the Komoro Distillery
This is the first distillery that Karuizawa Distillers Manufacturing Co.
Mr. Shimaoka, a former banker, and Mr. Ian Chang, a former master blender of Kavalan distillery, teamed up to build the distillery in Komoro, Nagano Prefecture, as the best location for a whisky distillery due to the combination of various factors such as the climate, water quality, natural environment and local culture at the foot of Mount Asama where pure water is grown. Only single malt is produced.
Image source: Komoro Distillery official website
The distillery is integrated with the visitor center. A shuttle bus runs from Komoro Station, distillery tours are offered every hour, a hands-on whisky academy from beginner to advanced level, and cocktails and snacks are served in the bar area. Basically, the distillery already has an environment that welcomes visitors, although reservations are required in advance.
| Company name | Karuizawa Steamship Manufacturing Co. |
| Distillery Address | Komoro distillery: 4630-1 Karuishi, Kou, Komoro, Nagano, 384-0801 Japan |
| Access to the distillery |
10 minutes by cab from Komoro Station on the Shinano Railway 25 minutes by cab from Sakudaira Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line Shuttle bus service is available from the above two stations by reservation only. |
| Business hours | 10:00~19:00 (Last admission 18:00, Bar L.O.18:30) |
For more information about Komoro Distillery, please visit
３. limited bottle “KOMORO CITIZEN RESERVE” pre-order
A limited quantity of “KOMORO CITIZEN RESERVE” bottles will be available for pre-order for those attending the “Komoro Distillery whisky Festival 2025” to be held on March 1 (Sat.) – 2 (Sun.), 2025.
The pre-order period will be during the festival period of March 1 (Sat) and 2 (Sun), and the products are scheduled to be shipped from around 2027.
Image source: Komoro Distillery Whisky Festival 2025 Limited Bottle Pre-order Sales | Press Release
Price is 15,800 yen (including tax/shipping fee), available for shipping only in Japan.
