🗺️ Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distilleryニッカウヰスキー宮城峡蒸溜所

Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery, along with Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido, is one of the original distilleries of Nikka Whisky. The distillery is located in a valley near the border of Miyagi Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture, surrounded by the Shin-kawa and Hirose rivers. It was established in 1969 by Masataka Taketsuru, known as the father of Japanese whisky, and became the second distillery after Yoichi. The original whisky produced here is characterized by its elegant aroma and a flavor profile reminiscent of Western pears. This red brick facility, which seems to blend into the lush greenery of the forest, was built based on Masataka Taketsuru's philosophy of minimizing tree cutting. The building at the center of the site features a uniquely shaped roof, similar to the malt drying towers found in distilleries in Scotland, the homeland of whisky. Although it is no longer in use today, this unique landscape has become a symbol of the distillery. During the free guided tour (which requires prior online reservation), visitors can not only explore the distillation building and storage facilities but also enjoy whisky tastings. The shop selling limited edition bottled whiskies from the distillery is also a must-visit.

One of the distilleries that holds a pioneering position in Japanese whisky. Guided tours require a reservation. The paid tasting area was newly renovated and reopened in 2022. If you want to try the tastings, it is recommended to take the shuttle bus from JR "Tsukinoue" Station, which operates only on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays.