Yoichi Distillery
Yoichi, Japan
Nikka Whisky’s first distillery, founded in 1934 in Yoichi, Hokkaido, by Masataka Taketsuru after he sought a cool climate, crisp air and fresh water similar to Scotland. At the base of the Shakotan Peninsula, facing the Sea of Japan and fed by the Yoichi River, the site uses straight-head pot stills with downward lyne arms and traditional direct coal-fire heating—the method Taketsuru studied at Longmorn—producing bold, rich Yoichi malt. Nikka notes that coal-fire distillation is rarely seen worldwide today. On-site coopering began here when Taketsuru invited beer-barrel coopers to make whisky casks. Visitors can book guided facility tours (Japanese) or visit the Nikka Museum, distillery shop and Rita’s Kitchen without a production-area reservation.