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The red-brick Distillery nestled in rich nature.
This is one of Nikka Whisky’s distilleries along with the Yoichi factory in Hokkaido. It is located in the mountains near the border of Yamagata Prefecture between Nikkawa and Hirose Rivers, built by Japan’s Father of Whiskies, Masataka Taketsuru in 1969 as the second distillery after the Yoichi factory. The whisky has a jubilant pear scent.
Masataka Taketsuru directed to reduce felling of the trees to minimum, and the facility was built with red bricks in the dense green forest. At the center of the premises, a building with a uniquely shaped roof stands, which is a kiln tower, the same kind found in distilleries in Scotland, the mecca of whiskies. The tower is used to dry the molt. It is no longer used but the nostalgic sight is the symbol of this factory.
The free guided tour (online reservation required) will show you the distilling building and the storage. There is also a whisky tasting, as well as a shop that sells bottles limited to the factory.
The red-brick distillery stands out in the forest
The kiln tower at the center of the distillery
Pot stills lined in the distillery
The original whisky is aged for over ten years in the storage
Learn the history of whisky and Miyagikyo at the visitor center
Whisky tasting with a fee was renewed and opened in 2022
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I watched a Japanese drama about Masataka Taketsuru, the Father of Japanese Whisky, going to Scotland—not only did he learn how to make whisky, but he also met his wife Rita. Knowing this story made visiting the distillery so much more interesting!
You can tour the factory to learn about the production process. There's whisky tasting, and for those who don't drink, they offer tea as well.
