Nikka Whisky is one of Japan’s top whisky makers. It has its main distillery in Yoichi, about 20km about 20km west from Otaru. The company was founded by Taketsuru Masataka, famous as the father of Japanese whisky, who studied whisky making techniques for several years in Scotland before bringing the trade to Japan. He was instrumental in establishing the country’s first whisky distillery.
The Yoichi Distillery was built in 1934.He believed that this place was the most similar to Scotland as it has clear water, brisk air and rich peat and would be best for recreating Scotch whisky.The traditional distillation process that he brought over is largely unchanged today. Nikka whiskies have been recognized to be one of the world’s best single malt whiskies.
The Yoichi Distillery maintains many of its original stone buildings. A self-guided walking tour of the grounds takes about an hour and follows the whisky making process from start to finish. Visitors can learn about many steps taken to produce whisky from English information displays and audio guides. Some of the equipment along the tour, such as the large copper distillation tanks, is still used today. Guided tours are only provided in Japanese.
Toward the end of the tour is a museum which focuses on the life of its founder and the history of the company. Several interesting displays include photographs and household items of Taketsuru and his Scottish wife named Rita, whom he met in Scotland and who moved to Hokkaido with him to help found his business. The tour ends at a tasting room where visitors can sample various Nikka whiskies. As it has a gift shop, visitors can enjoy drinking while having snacks.
Access Information
The Nikka Whisky Distillery is located just a 10minutes walk west of Yoichi Station on the JR Hakodate Line.
Yoichi Station can be reached in about 25 minutes by local trains from Otaru (360 yen, every hour departures) or in about one hour from Sapporo (1070 yen, requires a transfer at Otaru).
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