About 30 minutes from Osaka Station and about 15 minutes from Kyoto Station. Yamazaki, which is located in a geographical hub, is known as a pioneer of Japanese whiskey. Suntory Yamazaki Distillery’s “Yamazaki Distillery Tour” is popular there. You can actually see the whiskey making process and have a tasting experience.
Surrounded by the rich nature of the border between Osaka and Kyoto, Yamazaki has a unique topography where the three rivers of the Katsura River, Uji River, and Kizu River meet. This place is a famous water that appears in the waka in the “Manyoshu” compiled during the Nara period. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period, a tea man, Senrikyu, set up a tea room using famous Yamazaki water. Even now, “Water of Imperial villa”, which was selected as one of the “100 Best Waters of Japan”, is still flowing.
A popular spot in Yamazaki, where such famous water springs, is the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery. In particular, the factory tour “Yamazaki Distillery Tour” (paid and reservation required), which is held 5 to 6 times a day, is so popular that it is difficult to make reservations. If you don’t usually drink whiskey, why not take this opportunity to learn about the depth of whiskey?
At the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, you will first visit the Yamazaki Whiskey Museum. There are various ways to enjoy, such as exhibitions where you can learn about the history of whiskey in Japan, tasting counters, shops with limited goods. Details will be introduced later.
At the Yamazaki Whiskey Museum, first touch the passion for making whiskey by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii. Whiskey making began with his passion, “I want to make Japanese whiskey that meets Japanese delicate taste”.
In 1923, Shinjiro Torii began making full-fledged domestic whiskey that no one had ever done before. That is the Yamazaki distillery. He started making whiskey without losing opposition to the people around him. In this way, the history of Suntory whiskey and Japanese whiskey has begun.
There are many historic sites that makes you feel a long history
Shimamoto Town in the northern part of Osaka Prefecture has prospered as a vital part of transportation from the Kyoto basin to the Osaka plain since ancient times. There are many historic sites that makes you feel a long history and it is a perfect place to sightseeing. Shimamoto Town is also known as a place of famous water, and tours of institutions related to famous water are also recommended.
Suntory ‘s “Yamazaki Series” is attracting fans with high quality and rich fragrance, deep flavor among Japanese whiskeys. That home is in Shimamoto Town. Because this is not well known, it seems that many people are surprised when visiting Shimamoto Town for the first time. Where delicious sake is born, there is always “delicious water”. The place name of “Yamazaki” famous as Shimamoto Town ‘s famous water land which boasts all over Japan has become the brand name of whiskey as it is.
After the factory tour, you can taste the whiskey. It is a pleasant service for drinkers, especially those who like whiskey. “Yamazaki 12 years” which can not be easily purchased because it is expensive can also be tasted reasonably at the tasting counter. There are original whiskey and limited goods which only available here. Please come and visit Shimamoto Town when you come.
The theme of “the process of Japanese whiskey”
The SUNTORY Yamazaki Distillery is in the place called Yamasaki in Osaka prefecture. It is a distance of 40 minutes on foot from JR Kyoto line “Yamasaki Station”, even the speed that the child walks, it takes 15 minutes
The inside of the site, there is the “Whiskey Museum” in the right-hand side, and the distillation building is in the opposite side. In the Whiskey Museum of 2 stories, exhibition on the theme of “the process of Japanese whiskey” is carried out.
The production of whiskey is felt familiar
Especially, the state at the corner of the “whiskey library” that malt is located in a line is the best part is worth seeing.
The genuine huge pot still which has been ever used is displayed. The production of whiskey is felt familiar.
The sale of the original goods and whiskey
There is the factory shop “IN THE BARREL” in the second floor. The sale of the original goods and whiskey is carried out there, too.A stylish glass, a souvenir set, chocolate and snacks suitable for whiskey, etc. are attractive.
Various forms of the pot still can be seen
In the distillation place, the guided tour is carried out, too. You can see it in turn from the fermentation room in the factory. The highlight of the tour is a distillation building with the pot still. It is the place that can be called the core of the distillery. Because the passage is established next to the pot still, so various forms of them can be seen close at hand.
The live events are held here
This is the storeroom. It is said that the live events etc. are sometimes held here. To listen to music surrounded by a lot of barrels of whiskey, it is an elegant atmosphere, don’t you think so?
Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)
| Name: | SUNTORY Yamazaki Distillery |
| Address: | Yamazaki 5-2-1 Mishimagun Shimamotocho, Osaka 618-0001 Japan |
| Access: | JR Tokaido-honsen Line “Yamazaki-eki Station” (10 minutes walk) |
| Tel: | (+81) 75-962-1423 |
| Price: | Free * some facilities charged |
| Official site: | https://www.suntory.com/ |
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