Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery

The Nikka Whisky Distillery Tour is an absolute must-visit for whisky lovers and anyone interested in Japanese craftsmanship. Nestled in Yoichi, a short drive from Otaru, the distillery is a stunning heritage site with beautifully preserved buildings. If you visit in winter, the snow-covered scenery transforms the place into a magical wonderland. The free guided tour (booking required via their website) offers a deep dive into the fascinating history of Nikka and its founder, Masataka Taketsuru, the man who played a crucial role in shaping Japanese whisky. The tour is incredibly comprehensive, covering everything from the traditional distillation process to the strong historical ties between Nikka and Suntory. The guides are highly knowledgeable, making the experience both educational and engaging. One of the best parts? The free whisky tasting at the end! You get to sample some of their finest selections and even experiment with mixers to craft your perfect drink. The staff provides helpful tips, making it an interactive and fun experience. If you're in the area, I highly recommend stopping by. 10/10 experience! Plus, don’t forget to check out the nearby kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) shop for an amazing meal to round off your visit. Whether you're a whisky enthusiast or just looking for a unique experience, the Nikka Whisky Distillery Tour is well worth your time!

Kind staff and excellent tour. While the verbal portion of the tour is in Japanese, translation devices are available and the museum has English. Available tastings and bottles for purchase were excellent!

Good place to visit if you are a Japanese whiskey lover. The shop is ok, some distilleries exclusively items for sale but no 10 years one. Tasting bar is a bit disappointing since they only have 10 years single malt but nothing older. Other brand’s distillery seems doing a better job . Overall if you are near the Sapporo, Otaru area, worth a go but I won’t spend hours to travel to Hokkaido for it specifically.

They have a pamphlet for English speakers. A bit of a shame that no one spoke English so I could not ask any questions or understand discussions and conversations the guide had with the rest of the group. A bit touristy and commercialised, not as authentic as other small local distilleries. But a must, given it is the birthplace of Japanese Whiskey. Need to buy tickets in advance through their official website.

Free whiskey tour, but all in Japanese. We still learned something. We had 3 tasting, and purchased more in the museum. Unfortunately they were out of stock on the whiskey I wanted to buy.