Nikka Yoichi Distillery

Masataka Taketsuru went to Scotland in 1918, studied chemistry at Glasgow, apprenticed at Speyside and Campbeltown distilleries, married Jessie Roberta Cowan of Kirkintilloch, and came home with notebooks. He built Suntory's first distillery, then left to find a site that resembled Scotland more closely, and chose Yoichi in 1934 - cold, damp, on the Sea of Japan, with peat and clean water nearby. The distillery still uses coal-fired direct heating under its pot stills, stoked by hand, which almost no distillery anywhere still does and which contributes the heavier character its whiskies are known for. The stone buildings are largely original and several are registered cultural properties. The site includes the Taketsuru residence and a museum covering both him and Rita. Tours are free to walk; guided tours and tastings of aged expressions require booking.

The main sights

• Coal-fired stills - direct heating stoked by hand, almost unique in modern whisky.
• 1934 stone buildings - largely original and registered as cultural properties.
• The Taketsuru story - a Japanese chemist's Scottish apprenticeship and his Scottish wife.
• The residence and museum - their house on the site, with a collection covering both.

When to go

All year. Two to three hours. Book guided tours and premium tastings ahead.

Practical notes

Aged stock is limited and the best expressions often sell out or are absent from tastings. Guided tours are in Japanese. Free tastings have been reduced or ended at times - check current arrangements. Yoichi is a further train ride beyond Otaru.

Nearby

Otaru is east; Cape Kamui is north-west on the Shakotan peninsula.