Yasato Distillery (Kiuchi Brewery, Hinomaru Whisky)
Yasato Distillery (Kiuchi Brewery, Hinomaru Whisky) (Ishioka, Ibaraki) is a place to visit for whisky. Booking: Reservation required. Guidance in English: Check the official site. Fee: Distillery tour 2,000 yen per adult (tax included). Blending experience 10,000 yen. Free for under 20 on the distillery tour..
Kiuchi Brewery's whisky distillery at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba. The guided tour covers the production process and ends with a tasting of three whiskies.
How to visit
- Location
- Ishioka, Ibaraki
- Address
- 茨城県石岡市須釜1310-1
- Booking
- Reservation required
- Guidance in English
- Check the official site
- Fee
- Distillery tour 2,000 yen per adult (tax included). Blending experience 10,000 yen. Free for under 20 on the distillery tour.
Good to know
- The distillery tour takes about 60 minutes (about 35 minutes of production tour and 25 minutes of tasting) with up to 10 people per session. Sessions start at 10:45 and 14:25, plus 12:30 on weekends and holidays only.
- Held every day except Tuesday, according to the reservation calendar. The meeting point is the Yasato Distillery Visitor Center.
- Reserve online by the day before. For same-day participation, call the Visitor Center (0299-56-4411). The fee is paid on the day at the reception.
- Drivers and non-drinkers receive an original item such as a glass instead of the tasting. Under-20s are free but cannot join without an adult.
- The blending experience runs on Sundays only, 13:00-15:00 (about 120 minutes, up to 16 people); under-20s cannot book.
- The location differs from Kiuchi's main brewery in Naka City. On Kiuchi's official page the sake brewery tour is suspended for renovation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book a visit to Yasato Distillery (Kiuchi Brewery, Hinomaru Whisky)?
Yes, a reservation is required.
Is guidance in English available at Yasato Distillery (Kiuchi Brewery, Hinomaru Whisky)?
We have not confirmed whether guidance in English is available. Please check the official site.
How much does a visit to Yasato Distillery (Kiuchi Brewery, Hinomaru Whisky) cost?
Fee: Distillery tour 2,000 yen per adult (tax included). Blending experience 10,000 yen. Free for under 20 on the distillery tour..
Can I take part in a tasting if I'm driving?
The legal drinking age in Japan is 20. If you are driving you cannot taste. Use public transport or a taxi, or let someone who is not drinking drive.
Information sources
Information checked against official sources, such as the facility's website.
Checked 2026-10-27
Sources
Spotted a mistake?
Opening days, fees and booking methods change. If you notice a difference, please tell us and we will check and fix it promptly.
