The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is a Japanese whisky distillery in the Yamazaki District of Kyoto Prefecture, not far from Kyoto City and close to Uji—the region of Kyoto famous for matcha green tea—and the famous Otokuni Bamboo grove. The Yamazaki region has long been known for its pure and soft water, for which the distillery founder, Torii Shinjiro, chose this location in particular. Nestled between Mt. Tennozan and Mt. Otokoyama, close to the river's pure water, and in an ideal climate for whisky maturation, the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is now known as the birthplace of Japanese whisky, and home to the internationally-renowned Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky. Today at the distillery there are whisky tastings and guided tours explaining the whisky-making process (tours are available in foreign languages), and the tour includes an exlusive blended whisky tasting (not for regular sale). At the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery there is also a whisky library, and a free-to-enter whisky museum where you can learn about the history of whisky in Japan. Visiting requires reservation up to a day in advance.
- Tel
- 075-962-1423 (Available from 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
- Address
- 5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima District, Osaka Prefecture
- Access
- Train: 10 minute walk from JR Yamazaki Station or Hankyu Oyamazaki Station
- Business Hours
- 10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. *Last entry 4:30 p.m.
Closed: Over the New Year's holiday and during distillery closing days (some of which are not scheduled in advance) - Parking
- There are parking lots close to JR Yamazaki and Hankyu Oyamazaki stations