A Factory Tour of a World-Renowned Japanese Whisky Maker

Go behind the scenes at Suntory's storied Hakushu Distillery and sample the sublime product

Nestled in a forest at the foot of the Japan Alps lies the Suntory Hakushu Distillery. Established in 1973, the Hakushu facility is Suntory’s second whiskey distillery. The forest of Hakushu was chosen for the quality and mineral content of its water, leading to a fresh, vibrant and crisp whisky as compared to their Yamazaki brand, which offers a deeper, multi-layered taste.

Visitors can see the inner workings with a full distillery tour. The tour sheds light on the manufacturing process, Suntory’s dedication to whiskey making, and a tasting session. (Advance bookings are required.) The Suntory Whisky Museum and Bar Hakushu are available without reservation.

The White Terrace restaurant serves carefully paired cuisine. There's even a bird sanctuary where many wild birds come to visit throughout the year.

Take the train from Tokyo (about three hours).

Suntory Hakushu Distillery