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A small distillery in a wooded valley

Sawaoto DistillerySample

A craft whisky distillery in a quiet valley by a mountain stream, working with a single pair of small stills.

This is a sample page. Sawaoto Distillery is a fictional place, and every detail on this page is a sample setting.

How to enjoy it

Being small, the whole process from mashing to filling casks is visible in one building. The tasting lines up the same spirit at different ages, so you can follow what the cask does. Drivers get a non-alcoholic malt soda instead.

Contents

What to see and do here

Copper pot stills

Distillery tour

A guide walks you through mashing, fermenting, distilling and cask filling, ending with a tasting of three whiskies.

How to enjoy it

At the stills, look at the copper and the shape. Hear how the neck length lightens the spirit, and the tasting comes alive.

Price
  • Age 20 and up¥2,000（three-whisky tasting included）
Conditions
Age 20 and up. Drivers get a non-alcoholic drink
Duration
About 75 min
Session times
10:30 / 13:30 / 15:30
Dates
Thursday to Monday
Capacity
12 per tour
Minimum group
1 person
Meeting place
Shop reception
Meeting time
10 minutes before each tour
Guide languages
Japanese, English

The booking site works in Japanese and English.

Phone 0551-00-8017

Book by By 17:00 the day before　Cancellation 50% the day before; 100% on the day

Three whiskies of different ages

Shop and tasting bar

Bottles from the distillery and small sizes sold only here. Taste by the glass at the bar.

How to enjoy it

Try a little neat first, then add a few drops of water and notice the aroma open up.

Price
  • Tastingfrom ¥600 a glass
  • Small bottle200 ml from ¥2,800
Hours
10:00–17:00
Booking
Not needed (just walk in during opening hours)

A clear stream and path

Streamside path

A ten-minute walk beside the stream behind the distillery, the source of its water.

How to enjoy it

Walk it before the tour and you will connect the cold, clear water with what you taste.

Price
  • Free
Session times
10:00–17:00
Booking
Not needed (just walk in during opening hours)

Hours

Shop10:00–17:00

Closed

Tuesdays and Wednesdays (open on holidays), New Year holidays

NotesTours change during the summer maintenance shutdown

Contact

0551-00-8017

Answered 10:00–17:00

Shop10:00〜17:00
Distillery tour10:30〜15:30
Shop and tasting bar10:00〜17:00
Streamside path10:00〜17:00

Location and access

Address
Hakushu, Hokuto, Yamanashi (sample address)
Phone
0551-00-8017
Nearest expressway exit
Sutama IC
By car from the exit
about 20 min
Nearest station
Hinoharu Station (JR Chuo Line)
By car from the station
about 15 min
Parking
Yes (free, 20 cars)
Shuttle
None
Clear Streams& Mt. KaikomaHakushu, Mukawa Southern YatsugatakeHighlandsKobuchisawa, Nagasaka,Oizumi, Takane Sun, Mt. Kayagatake& Mt. MizugakiSutama, Akeno Kobuchisawa Sta. Kiyosato Sta. Hinoharu Sta. Nagasaka Sta. Sutama IC Nagasaka IC Kobuchisawa IC Here

Payment

CashAccepted

Credit cardsVISA, Mastercard, JCB, American Express

E-moneyTransit IC cards, iD, QUICPay

QR code paymentPayPay, Rakuten Pay, d Barai

Drinking under the age of 20 is prohibited by law. Do not drive after drinking.

Facilities and services

Languages
Japanese / English
English menu and guidance
English tour on Saturdays at 13:30
Wi-Fi
Yes (shop)
Children
Tours 20+ only (anyone may visit the shop)
Group size
Up to 12 people
Accessibility
Partly (stairs on the tour route)
Accessible toilet
Yes
On rainy days
Tour and shop are indoors

Tours that include this place

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