Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

Good to know

• Open 10:00-16:45 (last entry 16:30). Closed over the New Year and on plant closure days, with occasional extra closures.
• Visitors without a reservation cannot enter, even to use only the shop or tasting lounge (a Whisky Museum reservation is needed). Book on the official reservation site. A photo ID may be requested.
• The Monozukuri tour (Japanese, by lottery) runs daily except over the New Year and plant closure days, starting at 10:20, 12:30, 13:30 and 14:40 (some times are unavailable on some days), and takes about 80 minutes. It includes tasting of Yamazaki, cask samples and a highball, plus an original glass as a souvenir. Credit card payment only. An application covers up to 5 people.
• The Monozukuri Prestige tour (Japanese, by lottery) runs Tuesdays and Thursdays 13:40-15:40, about 120 minutes, with tasting including Yamazaki 12 Year Old.
• The paid tours are for ages 20 and over. Under-20s cannot accompany you, and visitors with infants or small children cannot join.
• The free Yamazaki Whisky Museum visit (no production tour) has hourly entry slots between 10:30 and 16:30 every day except the New Year and plant closure days. There is no staff guide; the tasting lounge is paid (last order 16:30) and does not take cash.
• English-language courses covering the production tour and tasting are booked through the distillery’s English site. Even on the Japanese tours, a free audio guide app is available in English, Spanish, Korean and Chinese.
• Whisky sales depend on stock. Purchases are for ages 20 and over, and ID may be requested.