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Do you know there is a whisky distillery in Hokkaido?

It is Nikka Whisky in Yoichi. Yoichi is a small town located the west of Otaru. It is possible to go by JR train from Sapporo, it takes about 1 hour. There is Nikka Whisky in front of Yoichi station, just 3 minute walk.

The gate and the wall made with a brick are atmospheric buildings letting you feel nostalgia. The inside is more nostalgic.

Father of Japanese Whisky 

The founder of Nikka Whisky was Masataka Taketsuru who was called Father of Japanese Whisky. He went to Scotland alone in 1918, for study.

After he came back to Japan with his wife who was Scots, he decided to make a distillery in Yoichi.

(Please see Nikka Whisky web site for more details.)

 

Distillery tours and tasting

This distillery is admission free. You can see the process of making whisky, storehouse and casks.

In the site there is a museum, and also there is a classical bar in the museum. You can buy Yoichi distillery limited whiskies, or you can taste them or others. (You have to pay for the tasting)

The end of tour course of distillery, there is a tasting room. You can taste two different age whiskies and apple wine. (Free tasting)

If you love whisky and old structures, why don’t you visit the distillery in the small town?