About
Even as a novice, a tour of Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery offered the perfect introduction to one of Japan's most underappreciated treasures: its whiskey. With free admission and a wide selection of affordable whiskeys to sample, it’s an ideal place to explore the art of Japanese whisky-making.
Key Info
*Learn more about my Key Information methadology here.
Cost
Very affordable. The tour itself is free/cheap and most whiskey samples are all under 1000 yen.
Accessibility
Take the Hankyu to Ōyamazaki Station or the JR to Yamazaki Station. The Distillery shall be just a short walk away.
Uniqueness
Visiting the distillery is a refreshing break from the standard sightseeing itinerary, and a great opportunity to learn a new corner of Japanese culture
My Experience
I had found the Distillery as I was looking for things to do on Google Maps during my trip to Kansai. Given its hidden location between Osaka and Kyoto, stumbling upon the Yamazaki Distillery felt like discovering a hidden gem.
Reservations can be made online through their official website. I was incredibly fortunate to secure a spot just two days in advance, but I've heard from others that it's highly recommended to book one or two months ahead to guarantee a visit. I also imagine that booking as an individual, rather than in a large group, made it much easier to find a last-minute opening.
Getting to the distillery is relatively straightforward, though it is a bit of a journey from either Kyoto or Osaka. I departed from Umeda station and took the Hankyu Rail to Ōyamazaki Station, which is near the distillery.
Upon arrival, I was struck by how beautiful the facility is. The architecture has a clean, modern European feel to it. When you enter, friendly staff members are there to greet you and check your reservation.
While the distillery offers paid guided tours that you can enter a lottery for, I opted for the free self-guided experience. The exhibitions were fascinating and surprisingly informative. I knew very little about whiskey and had never even tried it before, but walking through the various displays gave me a genuine appreciation for the craft.
One of the coolest parts of the distillery is the whiskey bar. I watched a number of true enthusiasts sampling a wide range of options, but as a first-timer, I decided to keep it simple. I chose the limited edition Yamazaki New Make whiskey, which is exclusive to the distillery. It was strong, powerful, and a memorable introduction to Japanese whisky. For those with a higher tolerance, it's an ideal spot to work your way through a selection of Japan's most celebrated whiskeys. The value is remarkable, my order was only 500 yen.
Overall, it's a great hidden gem for those intrested in trying out something new and different in Kansai.
