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Suntory Yamazaki in Osaka is now open for distillery tours and whisky tastings

Facility tours and on-site whisky tastings are back, just in time for the label’s 100th anniversary

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii initiating his whisky enterprise in Yamazaki.   In honour of this significant milestone, the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery in Osaka has recently reopened to the public following a period of renovations. The recent overhaul enhances the visitor experience, offering a deeper exploration of the Yamazaki Distillery's legacy through enriched tours and tastings.

The whisky museum and tasting lounge

At the historic Yamazaki Whisky Museum, which has stood since the distillery's inception, you can find exhibits showcasing the meticulous process behind the creation of one of the world's most coveted Japanese whiskies. 

The reinvigorated tasting lounge, on the other hand, is encircled by a vast array of original bottles. This particular spot is a haven for whisky aficionados. Here, you can savour not only the iconic Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki but also other exclusive whiskies available solely at this location.

Distillery tours

There are two distillery tours to choose from. And since spaces are limited, tickets are available via a lottery system.

For international tourists, rest assured that both tours are available with English-speaking guides. For more details and to plan your visit, see the distillery's website .

This article was originally published on October 16 2023 and updated on January 24 2024. 

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Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

Fans of Japanese whiskey should make time to visit the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery - they offer excellent tours with tastings that are sure to delight those who love this tipple. Actually, it’s pretty interesting even for those who have no real interest in whiskey!

Who could have predicted the rise of Japanese whiskey in the global consciousness? Gourmands all over the world are now clamouring for a taste of the best Japanese stuff. If you’re into whiskey, make sure you head over to the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery to take one of their guided tours.

Here, you’ll gain an insight into just how they make their wonderful tipples. You’ll begin with the mashing area, and go all the way through fermentation and distillation before finishing in the warehouses where the whiskies mature and age in their wooden casks. Don’t worry - you’ll get to taste some at the end of the tour, which lasts about 80 minutes. While it’s conducted only in Japanese, audio guides are available in English, Chinese, and French.

The guided tour does require advance reservations through the Suntory English website. Note that you’ll only be allowed to see the distillation process on a guided tour, so if you show up without warning, you won’t get to see very much besides the Yamazaki Whisky Museum - which isn’t the same as the distillery itself. Either way, though, the gift shop is open to everyone for those all-important purchases of delicious whisky.

The distillery is located near Yamazaki Station on the JR Tokaido Line (between Osaka and Kyoto) and Oyamazaki Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line (also between Osaka and Kyoto). It makes a great day trip out of either Osaka or Kyoto.

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English name: Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

Japanese name: サントリー山崎蒸溜所

English address: 5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, 618-0001

Japanese address: 〒618-0001 三島郡島本町山崎5-2-1

Opening hours: 10am-4:45pm (last entry 4:30pm)

Admission (Yamazaki Distillery Tour): Adults: 1000

Nearest Transport: Train: 10-minute walk from Yamazaki Station on the JR Kyoto Line.

Nearest Hotels: :: Check availability and pricing for hotels near Suntory Yamazaki Distillery on Booking.com or Agoda.com .

Telephone: +81-75-962-1423

Website: Official Website (English)

Near To Here: Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is located in Osaka's northern district . See our complete list of things to do in the Osaka's northern district , including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

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SUNTORY YAMAZAKI DISTILLERY (Osaka)

Yamazaki is the name of location which is in southwest from Kyoto.  This area is famous for pristine waters, which is listed on “A hundred of Japanese good water” designed by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment.  Many people visited to get the water every day. Ever since Yamazaki 12-year-old whisky was highly praised for its “noble” aroma at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) in 2003, Yamazaki whisky has been given well deserved price in the world. At the distillery, there is several guided tours with some tasting original whiskies and you can enjoy suntory world for a half day.

Tours are conducted in Japanese only, but Audio guides are available in English, Chinese, and French.

In 10 min to walk from JR Yamazaki station(山崎), there is a potstill along the railroad.

Once you come over a railroad, A big pot still welcome you.

Get to the Yamazaki factory.

Go straight the street, and you will find a building at the end. It is a museum with shop.

Guided tour

One of the main characteristic of producing whisky at Yamazaki factory is using several containers for each process spending many time and efforts.

There are several options to see inside of the building.

Attend paid guided-tours

Price is depends on the tour you attend but, a standard tour is available with 1,000 yen and 80 min. You can also see inside of the factory and manufacturing process, and tasting whiskey. Need reservation in advance.

Reserve for entering Suntory whiskey museum (free of charge)

You can not see manufacturing process. Just walk around in the museum. Need reservation in advance.

There are several heating pot with different shape and size.  Malt whisky will change its taste according to the pot, too. There please check the shape of container and see how much effort being made to produce whisky.

• Fermentation

The Yamazaki Distillery uses two kinds of fermentation tanks: wooden and stainless steel. The wooden tubs in particular encourage fermentation through the heat retaining effect of wood although it is difficult to manage maintenance.

In the storage room, you will smell hot scene. There are many barrels in the storages. Malt whisky will change its taste by the barrels, too. There are many different shapes and size of barrels with various of posture.

These are four kinds of malt whiskies not blend. we can taste them. they teach how to make a highball,too. (It may change)

Access and information

Suntory yamazaki .

From JR Yamazaki(山崎) station, it will take ten minutes to walk. There is no parking lot available in the factory.

About Yamazaki station

From Osaka, it will be 30 min to get there.

From Kyoto, it will be 15 min to get there.

Hours and fee

Suntory yamazaki.

Need reservation via website or by telephone in advance for enjoying the yamazaki whisky museum, shop, and the tasting counter(Paid)

If you already reserved a tour, you do not need to reserve for museum.

Standard tour is available for below time schedule with 1,000 yen( please check website for detail. It might change)

9:50–11:10

11:00–12:20

12:20–13:40

13:30–14:50

14:50–16:10

Information Desk: +81-75-962-1423 (9:30-17:00)

Operation hour: 10:00-16:45

Link & Resources

Suntory Yamazaki factory official website(English)

Yamazaki official website(English)

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Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

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Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is located in the Yamazaki district of Osaka Prefecture and situated along the border of Kyoto Prefecture. The historic distillery was established in 1923 and is known as the birthplace of Japanese whisky. Set in the idyllic nature of Osaka, the whisky establishment works in harmony with the environment and uses the natural resources to craft its wide variety of renowned beverages. One of Suntory’s most notable drinks is its Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky, which won a gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge in 2003.

Suntory’s unique location

Inspired by Scottish whisky, Suntory’s founder, Shinjiro Torii, aimed to create a Japanese whisky molded by Japan’s unique environment and climate. The distillery is located in the misty valley of Yamazaki between Mount Tennozan and Mount Otokoyama where the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu rivers meet. This convergence creates some of Japan’s purest and softest waters. In addition to the region’s quality water, the temperature and humidity of the area creates perfect conditions for cask aging. These natural elements provide a solid base for the distillery’s outstanding and renowned whisky.

Tour the distillery!

For a behind the scenes look at the passionate process of whisky creation, take a tour of the famous distillery. The tour begins with an explanation of the whisky production process. After the short lesson, the guide will bring you through the whisky production areas, where you can observe the mashing and fermentation processes, distillation in copper stills, blending process, and storage in wooden casks. As you learn about the process, you can truly immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of whisky production. At the end of the tour, you can sample various whiskies, including unblended whisky, which is a component of the Single Malt Whisky and not for sale. Tours are available from 9:30 to 17:00 and require reservations.

Continue learning at the Whisky Museum

The Whisky Museum takes you on a journey through whisky in Japan, Suntory’s history, the creation story of the Single Malt Whisky, current whisky production processes, and future innovation. The information is complemented by exhibits displaying items such as Shinjiro Torii’s desk, authentic whisky bottles, miniature models, and contemporary video clips. After getting your fill of whisky knowledge, explore the Whisky Library, which is lined with wooden shelves displaying thousands of bottles of whisky giving the area a soft amber glow. On the same floor is a whisky-tasting counter where you can sample whiskies from around the world (for a fee). End your trip with a stop at the gift shop, which is home to some Suntory-exclusive products, and take a piece of the experience home to share with others.

Nearby Station

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Phone number.

suntory.com

Suntory is about a 10-minute walk from either Yamazaki Station on the JR Tokaido Line or Oyamazaki Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line.

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OSAKA SUNTORY YAMAZAKI DISTILLERY, MUSEUM, AND WHISKEY TASTING AT YOUR DESIRE!

Who doesn’t enjoy a nice refreshing drink at the end of the day ? Among connoisseurs, college students, and businessmen with a cigar in hand, whiskey can be their favorite choice of drink. One particular whiskey is making a worldwide name for itself. It is the Yamazaki Suntory Whiskey, which has been very popular in Japan. The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is around 45 mins north of Osaka by train, but is 100% worth it to visit there as a day trip! Not only can you tour the distillery, but you can explore their own museum and tasting bar! You might be overly excited with their special varieties of whiskey only available at the distillery!

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WHY IN YAMAZAKI?

As we know, Yamazaki is a location in northern Osaka and also a part of the Suntory Whiskey Empire. Interestingly, the place Yamazaki was popular long before the whiskey brand. Yamazaki is at the base of Mt. Tennozan, where the rivers Katsura, Uji, and Kizu converge. This area produces what experts call a “soft” water effect. Yamazaki is a location so legendary that one of the Legendary Tea Masters settled there because of the natural water. These masters include the legendary Sen no Rikyu, the Supreme Tea Master during his time. With these legendary waters, the founder of Suntory Whiskey, Shinjiro Torii had an eye on Yamazaki and decided to invest in this land.

The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery became the first whiskey distillery in Japan. This not only gives Suntory the legacy but the foundation to a distillery and its operating styles. Today, the distillery also hosts a museum for Suntory’s whiskey lineage and an active tasting bar. The perfect trio!

THE HISTORY OF YAMAZAKI AND SUNTORY

While the main focus is the whiskey for Yamazaki and Suntory, the foundation that they have built upon is paramount. Being the first whiskey distillery in all of Japan has its advantage, but they had long history before they started to raise attention. Just after the completion of the distillery, Suntory only had one line of whiskey for sale. It wasn’t that successful since consumers were calling for more subtlety in their scotch. At the time, consumers were thirsting for imported whiskey. The establishment of Kakubin is when Suntory began to shine. Needless to say, the importance of the distillery in Yamazaki was crucial to the brand’s success. It was a smart move by Suntory to start in a widely-known historical location also known for legendary waters. This gave them such an edge when competition finally rose up to challenge them for the whiskey market in Japan.

THE RISE OF SUNTORY WHISKEY

Many of you know both the Yamazaki and the Suntory Brand whiskeys, but let’s look at how they came to become popular. The Suntory brand began making whiskey in 1924 but it didn’t catch the public eye. This all changed after eight years when they released "kakubin", one of the greatest-selling Japanese whiskeys ever. The important key factor of founding any notable whiskey is the process. One important step to this process is the maturing, or aging step. The time the whiskey is allowed to mature and what the whiskey is being matured in is crucially important. What makes Yamazaki Whiskey special is its single-malt foundation along with the various types of casks it is maturing in. Typically, Yamazaki whiskey casks are made of Sherry, Suntory expanded to use American Oak, Mizunara Casks, and even Bordeaux Wine Casks.  

THE AMAZING IMPACT OF SUNTORY YAMAZAKI DISTILLERY

Yamazaki Whiskey has made a global impact. For instance, in 2015 Whiskey expert Jim Murray named Yamazaki’s Sherry Cask of 2013 the “World Whiskey of the Year”. At the time of its release, a bottle could be bought for US$ 120, now it sits around US$11,000! That literally blows my mind! Also, the Yamazaki 12-years old single-malt whiskey was the first to win the gold at the ISC (International Spirits Challenge). Even after creating a name for their brand, Yamazaki continues to forge itself into history. Including just last year the Yamazaki 18 Years old won Double Gold in the International Spirits Challenge! Even the distillery itself has won awards! In 2015, the Yamazaki Distillery won the Whiskey Visitor Attraction of the Year from the Icons of Whiskey. With the name created, we are left wondering what will they do next and where does whiskey go from here?

A MUSEUM FOR WHISKEY, WHO WOULD’VE GUESSED?

In addition to the historic location of Yamazaki Distillery, Suntory has its own story showcased at their museum. Here, you have two options to start out with. You can either have a guided tour throughout the museum or discover for yourself. With the guided tour, you get to visit the whiskey production area of the distillery, and even taste different components of the whiskey. This is of course after you are being shown the actual process of whiskey's production. While you are able to view the process at the distillery, you are also able to enter the maturation room. There, you can learn about the different casks and how the maturation plays a key role in the creation of whiskeys. Lastly, and probably everyone’s favorite part, is the actual tasting of components. You get to taste unique component whiskeys.

The self-guided tour on the other hand, is a bit different. There are several exhibits displaying and explaining the beginning of Suntory all the way to information on how they grew into fame. For example, the details on how Yamazaki whiskey began and the distillery became the oldest malt whiskey producer in Japan. After this section, there is a "whiskey library". Yes, literally speaking, a single room filled with thousands of whiskies spanning the reign of Suntory. In addition to this, they also prepared a gift shop! Shopping here is an excellent idea in case you need to pick up any “omiyage” (a souvenir for family and friends) for that special someone who cannot 'drink'. This museum also hosts a mini model of the actual whiskey process, which allows you to have an easier understanding and still learn the process. Brilliant place for both an entertaining and learning experience!

TOUR SUMMARY

As far as the tours go, there is a bit of a difference in what you experience. However, both types of tours will definitely be worth the day trip! You not only get to see the museum, but you get to see behind the scenes as well. Even if their whiskeys aren’t for your taste, they have several special edition component whiskeys only available at the distillery! There is everything prepared for you to look for the right one!

SUNTORY YAMAZAKI DISTILLERY IS NOW A TOURIST SITE!

As far as whiskey has been beloved for hundreds of years, there are people literally traveling the World to find the best whiskey. Since this Yamazaki Distillery won the Whiskey Visitor Attraction of the year, the place has been visited by many foreigners as well! As a foreigner, I will be on my best behavior (fair warning when we reach the tasting bar though..) Moreover, this probably means that it is a place popular and famous among communities of whiskey hunters. Please don't worry about the language barrier. Foreigners who don’t yet speak Japanese still have hope! The distillery organizes an audio guide with the English language that has pre-recorded exhibit notes. All you need is the guide telling you which button to push. With this and the English direction pointers, you are all set!

LET'S TASTE WHISKEY AT THE BAR!

Obviously, for fear of being thrown out and banned, we cannot literally taste the awards, but we can taste whiskey! One unique feature of the Yamazaki Distillery is the tasting bar at the end of your tour. Featuring not only Suntory and Yamazaki’s main hits but a special edition which is only being sold there! You will also begin seeing some special blends of Jim Beam, as they are one of Suntory’s newest additions. Also, along with Suntory’s other 13 brands, there is certainly a wide variety of whiskeys to taste. How exciting! Of course, one other important feature is the 'safety' as Suntory takes it very seriously. If you drive to the Distillery or even ride your bike, you are unable to taste any whiskey or components.

SPECIAL TAPS AT THE SUNTORY YAMAZAKI DISTILLERY

Another special note is that outside of the distilleries, it is now very hard to find Japanese Whiskey in Japan! Surprisingly, the main whiskey producers in Japan are all expanding to the world. As I mentioned before, Suntory has bought Jim Beam, for something like 16 billion US. This has in fact lead to give them more distribution to America, which means that locally, it has become difficult to find Japanese whiskey. That gives more reason for us to visit the tasting bar, as it serves Suntory, Yamazaki, and other Japan-made whiskeys. It also provides drinks from Yamazaki’s sister distillery in Hakushu, around the Mt. Fuji area. These region-specific drinks are what make them so successful worldwide. Therefore, if you are a huge fan of whiskey, this place is a must! The special “freshness” or “smokiness” of these drinks carry the magic of Japan in every taste.

THE NAME BEHIND THE FAME

Suntory, as we all know, is the empire that owns Yamazaki. The Whiskey Yamazaki is an offshoot of both the legendary company and the legendary location. Yamazaki is a single-malt whiskey that was created and launched around 1984. The 1980’s are being considered “golden years” for Japanese Whiskey, as previous successes of Suntory allowed “aggressive” investment into their whiskey process. This is when Yamazaki whiskey was an experiment while Suntory was playing with their distilling processes. Maturation process was done many times for Yamazaki. These combinations have now made Suntory and Yamazaki famous worldwide in the whiskey business. Starting from a single distillery in between Osaka and Kyoto, Suntory grew to an empire winning awards year after year. Visions of the founder, Shinjiro Torii has been reflected until this day.

SUNTORY BRAND AWARDS

Suntory Yamazaki has their historical foundation and has received the recognition they were looking for. Now we are all wondering what will they do next? Are they going to add more stills? Yamazaki Suntory Distillery had additional four back in 2013. Will they perhaps start mass-producing whiskey to bring Japanese whiskey back to Japan? Whatever their next move will be, as a whiskey lover, I'd like to wish good luck for this amazing company in Osaka. They are gaining around twenty gold medals from around the world in the last ten years! Also, that is just the Yamazaki line of products, not even the awards for Suntory or other sister distilleries. If we counted them, it would be a total of sixty-six various medals and trophies!

IN CONCLUSION

You must be extremely excited to visit the Yamazaki Distillery now! Knowing the location’s history and the birth of a whiskey empire seems exciting! To see the formation of a huge company that literally is the first malt-whiskey distillery in Japan should be a memorable experience for you! Especially since they allow you to tour behind the scenes and get a real taste of their whiskey even if the product is extremely rare and expensive. As I mentioned before, this is the birthplace of an empire that has won well deserved major recognition. As with every building, the foundation is the most important aspect, and Suntory couldn’t have found a better foundation. With the location, the dedication, and the craftsmanship, it’s no wonder why Suntory prospered significantly!

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Everything To Know About Yamazaki Whisky Museum And Distillery Tour

Whisky aficionados can go on a yamazaki whisky museum and distillery tour to learn about the process of authentic japanese whisky making..

By: Trinetra Paul Published: Oct 12, 2022 01:00 PM IST

Japanese whisky has seen an incredible surge in global demand such that several Japanese brands are among the most coveted bottles for any whisky connoisseur. Yamazaki, bordering Kyoto and Osaka, is considered the cradle of Japanese whisky and Yamazaki distillery is the country’s first commercial distillery. Liquid gold aficionados can go on a Yamazaki Whisky Museum and distillery tour to witness the process of authentic Japanese whisky making up close. By Trinetra Paul

While alcohol production began in Yamazaki in the 1870s, commercial distribution started only in the 1920s, when Shinjiro Torii established the Yamazaki distillery and other small breweries in 1923, and named the brand after the place. The company later became Suntory and is currently known as the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery.

Today, Suntory whisky has an overwhelming demand from all over the world. The water and climate of the Yamazaki region make each dram of its single malt whisky worth the indulgence. The Yamazaki distillery tour provides the perfect opportunity to go behind the scenes and immerse in the manufacturing process. You can soak in the rich history of Japanese whisky at the Yamazaki whisky museum and end the day with some whisky tasting at the very site where it all began.

If you are a whisky enthusiast who wishes to go back in time, the Yamazaki Whisky Museum offers guided tours and tasting and is perhaps the perfect place to immerse your senses and witness Japanese artisanship at its splendid best.

Whisky tasting, distillation process and history — here’s why you must take the Yamazaki distillery tour

Things to see at the yamazaki whisky museum.

While many national museums across Japan speak of the cultural and social history of the nation, this museum speaks volumes about the rich decadent dram of Suntory whisky that the Yamazaki distillery has so carefully birthed and nurtured.

From Shinjiro Torii’s desk where he worked hard to perfect his skills of blending whiskies to rows of Suntory Whisky ‘ Shirofuda ’ bottles, the first authentic homegrown Japanese whisky and video clips tracing the contemporary process, the Yamazaki Whisky Museum is a treasure trove for anyone who likes connecting bygone eras with the current world.

Spread over two floors, the tour starts on the second floor with a dive into the whisky-production process and what the journey so far has been like — the journey to the present-day famed Suntory whiskies that we so love.

Guests are taken on an in-depth journey through the history of the Yamazaki distillery, the oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan, and the subsequent creation of the single malt whisky ‘Yamazaki’. Miniature models and other exhibits lined along the corridors also show the history of the production process. With innovation and development at its core, the tour also highlights the hiccups that the process faces and what can be done to make it smooth.

After a stride through the history of Yamazaki, and understanding the route from the barrels to the bottles, a full-fledged whisky library awaits one on the first floor.

Rows of rare whiskies and thousands of Suntory bottlings as well as a double-height exhibit area featuring pot stills and the washback used at the distillery elevate one’s experiences even more.

In the end, one can enjoy sampling some gourmet Yamazaki whisky along with noted drinks from across the world and stand a chance to discover that particular flavour of your liking at the cash-only tasting counter.

Spend some time browsing through the souvenir items at the museum gift shop and grab official Yamazaki whisky glasses or products made from the casks and carry a fond memory from this part of Japan.

Guided distillery tours

While visitors can freely walk about the Yamazaki Whisky Museum and absorb the information at their own pace, one can also avail the paid guided tour of the distillery and visit the production area.

A whiff of air here can transport one to a completely new world. While you might feel the aroma of sake in the beginning, it soon turns into sour notes of whisky as you progress. Guests are taken around in chronological order starting with the mashing area followed by fermentation and finally concluding at the warehouses.

In the production area, one can see real-time whisky production, and feel the very essence of Yamazaki whisky. While here, note the various component whiskies being made at various stages of the distillation process that eventually go on to make the delicious single-malt whisky the distillery is proud to offer.

The scintillating journey doesn’t end just here. Your guide then takes you through the process by which whiskies are segregated at the warehouse and stored in barrels for ageing. This process imparts the final undertones of subtle flavours and unique tastes to each bottle. You can end your tour by tasting some of the most exquisite drinks from the distillery and sipping on some fine single-malt whisky — Yamazaki.

While here, it is quite natural to find yourself lost in a spirited world.  However, don’t miss out on clicking photographs and making memories for a lifetime.

How to reach the Yamazaki Whisky Museum and its timing

Located in the Yamazaki district, the distillery and museum is easily accessible by foot from the Yamazaki Station on the JR Kyoto Line as well as the Oyamazaki Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line. The place is addressed as 5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima gun, Oskaka. Visiting time is between 10:00 am and 4.45 pm with the last entry being allowed at 4.30 pm.

The guided tour is priced at 1,000 Yen (INR 565 approximately) per person including whisky tasting and takes about 80 minutes. Advance reservations are mandatory and one must be aware of the days the site is closed which mainly includes the New Year’s holiday and distillery shutdowns. Tours are conducted several times a day and guests are required to reach the venue 15 minutes prior.

Albeit visiting the museum is free, prior reservations must be made for a particular time slot and date. However, if you are joining the guided tour, you need not book in advance for visiting the museum but can drop in prior to or after the tour.

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(Main image courtesy: Jason Hong/ @jhong098/ Unsplash ; Featured image courtesy: Suntory Holdings, Inc./ @suntoryglobal/ Instagram)

Related: Just A Shot Of The Rare Yamazaki Whiskey Will Cost You INR 4.7 Crores

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Answer: Yamazaki single malt whisky is distilled at the Suntory Yamazaki distillery. Established in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, it is the country's first commercial whisky distillery that has earned an unparalleled global reputation.

Answer: The iconic Yamazaki distillery is currently owned by the Japanese whisky label Suntory. Besides Yamazaki, it is home to some other best Japanese whiskies such as Hibiki and Hakushu. Visitors can go on a guided tour across the whisky museum and distillery to see the production process and learn about its history.

Answer: The Yamazaki whisky is produced at the Yamazaki Whisky distillery in the Yamazaki district. The perfect climate and local water make it an ideal location for the classic rich golden drink.

Answer: The coveted Yamazaki whisky is made by Suntory. It is the label’s iconic single-malt whisky made at the country’s first and oldest distillery.

Answer: Written as 山崎, ‘Yamazaki’ translates to ‘mountain promontory.’ A common surname and topographical name in Japan, the word mainly has its roots in Eastern Japan but is found in western parts as well.

Answer: As the oldest Japanese whisky maker and the cradle of the finest single malt whisky originating in the country, Yamazaki has an irreplaceable position in the history of whiskies. Founded years back, it still continues to tantalise global taste buds with its rare productions and premium quality drinks such as Hibiki and Hakushu.

Answer: Yes, Hibiki whisky is made in Japan at the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery and is considered one of the prized whiskies in the world.

Answer: Layered with fruit and Mizunara aromas, the flagship Yamazaki whisky has a profound Japanese origin. The Yamazaki 12 year single malt whisky is made from 100 percent pure barley and has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 43 percent. It is aged in fine Mizunara casks and one might get aromas of peach, pineapple, grapefruit, clove, candied orange or vanilla. The drink is rich golden in colour and has a spicy finish.

• japanese whisky
• Single Malt Whisky
• Yamazaki And Hibiki

Trinetra Paul

Trinetra is an ardent foodie and bibliophile who writes about films, travel, food and lifestyle. As a writer and literature student, slam poetry and storytelling are her go to jam. When not working, Trinetra is busy looking for her next place to visit or binge-watching Instagram videos for travel inspiration.

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Pair local delicacies with Japanese whisky at Bar Yoshida, one of Osaka's must-visit watering holes.

The Whisky Lover's Osaka Travel Guide

February 10, 2020 –––––– Brian Ashcraft , , , ,

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It bring us at Japan Cheapo much sadness and wallet-ache to announce that one of the best free tours in Japan is no longer free. The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery has reopened after extensive renovations, and added a price tag of 1,000 yen to its previous free tours. An updated version of a 2015 post follows:

Nestled into the base of historic Mount Tenno, where pristine water filters through the bamboo forests, is the Yamazaki Whisky Distillery owned by Suntory. This distillery, opened in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, is the birthplace of commercial whisky in Japan. There are a number of reasons to visit this distillery on the border of Kyoto and Osaka prefectures. The scenery is picturesque, and the tasting bar has a number of whiskies on offer that aren’t available anywhere else, for example. But for cheapos, undoubtedly the main reason to go is to take part in a free 1,000 yen guided tour of the factory.

The factory tours run every day (except for maintenance days and the New Year shutdown period) and are extremely popular. It’s a good idea to book well in advance, especially on weekends, when there are fewer tours run. The tours are given in Japanese, but English, French, and Chinese audio guides are available. Many of the staff also speak basic English. Be aware that some of the tours start as early as 10 am, which may not be your preferred time to enjoy whisky.

After signing in, you’ll join the rest of the Suntory whisky tour and hear about the history of the distillery. Then, the tour walks through the fermentation, distillation and aging areas of the factory. Since whisky distillation relies on the changing seasons and temperatures, be sure to dress warmly in winter, or bring a hand fan in summer, as there is no climate control in the factory. During weekdays, you can see the staff scurry around tending to the tremendous mash tuns and gleaming copper stills.

Next is the aging warehouse, which is filled with a gorgeous whisky scent that, apparently, studies have shown make people feel happy and relaxed. Here, among the long rows of oak barrels, you’ll see one filled with single malt that has been aging since 1924! After exiting the aging warehouse, you’ll see a gorgeous landscaped pond that showcases the most important ingredient of the whisky—Yamazaki’s delicious water.

The factory walk takes around 25 minutes, and really does offer plenty of information, but now that we’ve feigned enough interest in whisky production comes the part that everyone is really here for: whisky tastings! The last part of the tour is in a guest room where everyone (over the age of twenty, of course) is given three glasses to enjoy. The whiskies on offer may change, but typically include The Yamazaki Single Malt and a Suntory Kakubin. All the drinks are offered with soda but can also be drank straight, on ice, with water, or if you want to mix yourself a highball, with the green tea or juice provided. Be sure to also enjoy the nut mix and chocolates provided at the tables too. They’re delicious (and the illustrations on the chocolate wrappers are super cute)!

Sadly, despite the drinks and snacks and great jazz soundtrack, you won’t be able to stay long in the guest room chatting and making Bill Murray impersonations (“For relaxing times…make it Suntory times”). The next tour group will come along soon to have their own tastings. In that case, it’s time to head to the gift shop where Suntory products from around the world can be purchased (including, interestingly, Jack Daniels Bourbon), alongside whisky glasses, wooden pieces made from old oak barrels, snacks and omiyage souvenir gifts.

The same building that houses the gift shop also has a small museum talking about the history of Japanese whisky. If the tastings weren’t enough, then head to the ground floor where over 100 varieties can be purchased at the Whisky Library. You’ll again see long rows of aging whisky at the Library, but this time in backlit-bottles, rather than oak barrels. The Library is freely accessible even if you are not part of a tour, but now reservations must be made in advance. While you enjoy your limited edition tasting, be sure to raise your glass to the statue of Shinjiro Torii, who made this all possible.

The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is about a ten-minute walk from the JR Yamazaki or Hankyu Oyamazaki stations. Drunk driving is a serious offence in Japan (as is drunk cycling!), so taking public transport is recommended. The tour can be booked over the phone or online in English.

Is it still worth going now that it costs money?

The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery may have been a victim of its own success. In the last decade, Japanese whisky’s popularity has grown around the world, and the number of visitors to the distillery, both local and global, reflected that. The distillery shut down for the entire month of December in 2015 for renovations ad upgrades to its facilities. The new 1,000-yen price tag for the previously free tour may be due to the costs of these renovations.

The other major change since this post was first published, is that reservations are now required even to visit the museum, library and gift shop on site. This part is still free to visit (although tastings at the library are paid), and fortunately part of Suntory’s upgrades included its website, so it is now possible to make online reservations in English.

1,000 yen for 3 whisky tastings and a tour is still good value. There are other distilleries around Japan that offer free tours, but probably none that offer free tastings. If you are a whisky aficionado, you’re probably more interested in visiting the Library where the limited edition whiskies are—and you would need to pay for those tastings anyway. At any rate, the new price tag hasn’t dampened the popularity of the tour, with weekends booked out solidly for months in advance. And the rest of the Yamazaki area is beautiful and worth a day trip. So we at Japan Cheapo still say: sure, go to Yamazaki!

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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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Exciting factory tours and experiences

28 Dec 2020

The KANSAI Guide

Among the numerous famous products that Japan boats to the world, many of these originate from Osaka . How about visiting a facility where you can not only look but also experience making crafts by hand and participate in delicious tasting!

1. CUPNOODLES MUSEUM OSAKA IKEDA

A sampling food education museum in Ikeda City, the birthplace of instant ramen. The museum includes a display of approximately 800 types of packaging used over the years, and movies and graphics to introduce the story behind the development of chicken ramen and CUPNOODLES. The “My CUPNOODLES Factory” experience provides an opportunity to design your own cup and combine soup and ingredients of your choice to create your own CUPNOODLES. This experience costs 300 yen per time (admission from 9:30 am)

【Opening Hours】 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.（Admissions close 3:30 p.m.） 【Days Closed】 Tuesdays (Wednesdays when holidays fall on Tuesday) 【Price】 Admission free (a fee applies for the experience) 【URL】 https://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en/osaka_ikeda/ (Official Homepage) 【Address】 8-25 Masumicho, Ikeda City

2. SUNTORY Whisky Yamazaki Distilley

The distillery where Japanese whisky was born, producing the world-famous Suntory Whisky. You can view the production process, such as the stills and storehouse of barrels used for again the whisky, and learn about the production method.

【Opening Hours】 10:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. (Admissions close 4:30 p.m.) 【Days Closed】 None 【Price】 1,000 yen per person (80min.) *Booking required. 【URL】 https://www.suntory.com/factory/yamazaki/?_ga=2.46254692.250750768.1600408247-1351702842.1600408247 (Official Homepage) 【Address】 5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto- cho, Mishima- gun

3. Duskin Museum

Learn the history and secret to the deliciousness of the popular Japanese donut chain “Mister Donut”. You can also experience original donut ball making (200 yen per time, bookings not required) at the “Misdo Museum” on the first floor. Duskin is also a pioneer of cleaning service. At the “Cleaning Pavilion” on the second floor, there is a world and learn about cleaning.

【Opening Hours】 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Admissions closed 3:30 p.m.) 【Days Closed】 Mondays (Tuesdays when holidays fall on Monday) 【Price】 Admission free 【URL】 http://www.duskin-museum.jp/top.html （Official Homepage）*Japanese only 【Address】 5-32 Yoshinocho, Suita City

4.Tower of the sun (Expo’70 Commemorative Park)

The park was built on the site of Expo’70 (Osaka Banpaku), held in 1970 and was the first world expo to be held in Asia. The Tower of the sun, built in the core of the Symbol Zone of Expo’70, is an impactful work by the avant-garde artist Taro Okamoto, with the inside of the Tower also open of for viewing from 2018.　*To view, booking via the website is required.

【Opening Hours】 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Entrance gate closed at 4:30 p.m.) 【Days Closed】 Wednesdays (Open every day from April 1 to Golden Week and October 1 to November 30) 【Price】 Adult: 260 yen; Elementary and junior high school student: 80 yen (Entry to the Tower of the sun is charged separately: Adult: 720 yen; Child: 310 yen) 【URL】 https://taiyounotou-expo70.jp/en/ （Official Homepage） 【Address】 Senribanpaku- koen, Suita City

5.Asahi Beer Suita Brewery

The first factory of the Japanese beer maker “Asahi Beer”. In addition to a display of photos of the start of operations and raw materials, you can learn about the beer making process and sample freshly made beer.

【Opening Hours】 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 【Days Closed】 New Year, designated dates 【Price】 Admission free *Bookings required 【URL】 https://www.asahibeer.co.jp/brewery/language/english/ （Official Homepage） 【Address】 1-45 Nishinoshocho, Suita City

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Growing from a small shop in Osaka to an international conglomerate, we chart Suntory's journey of innovation and tradition through the century.

Japan Hour - Gaia Series 34: The Successors Of "Suntory"

Spring in Japan (Mar - May) Spring season in Japan is characterized not just by the cherry blossoms, seasonal food and traditional and modern festivals and events, but also by the exceptional beauty that engulfs the land, during the time.

From flower festivals to fruit picking, lively traditional parades and picnics, there’s plenty of seasonal fun, for anyone in Japan, during the spring season!  

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• Dedication to Quality
• How to Enjoy the Distillery
• Tours and Visit Reservations
• Facility Information

Important notice

Please check here for dates, details and reservations for the tour.

Details/Reserve

Hakushu Distillery 360°Free tour You can explore Suntory Museum of Whisky in 360 virtual tour.

Basic information

• *Since reservations are prioritized, customers without reservations may not be able to enter during busy times.

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