Suntory Yamazaki Distillery [サントリー山崎蒸溜所]

Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is a Japanese whisky distillery.

It is located about 25 km north-northeast of Osaka and about 15 km southwest of Kyoto, and is in Yamazaki district.

Yodo River flows from Kyoto to Osaka.
The hills approach the river around this Yamazaki district, so a few railways including Shinkansen and an expressway near the river.

In 1923, the predecessor of Suntory company in Osaka invited Taketsuru Masataka (1894-1979) who learned brewing process to produce whiskey in Scotland.

Taketsuru looked for the place to produce good whisky around Osaka, and found this Yamazaki district where good water is obtained and fog comes down sometimes.

Then, this whisky distillery was built and the Japan's first whisky was produced in this place in 1929.

Since that, this distillery continues to produce tasty whisky.

By the way, Taketsuru quit this company in 1934.
Because, his dream was the production of whisky in Hokkaido where the climate is similar to Scotland.

He built his distillery in Yoichi town near Shakotan Peninsula in Hokkaido.

His first whisky in Hokkaido was completed in 1940 and he founded a company.
It is current Nikka Whisky, and Suntory and Nikka are the top brands of Japanese whisky now.

We can visit this museum and shop for free.
And if you make a reservation in advance, you can join the guided tour in the distillery.

Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

How to get here

By rapid train of JR Kyoto Line, to Yamazaki station, about 26 minutes from Osaka, about 14 minutes from Kyoto.

Other Tourist Attractions in Osaka Prefecture

Around Kita area

Around Minami area

Waterfront area in Osaka city

Other area in Osaka Prefecture

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