how to book yamazaki distillery tour

Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery (�T���g���[�R�������, Santorī Yamazaki Jōryūsho) is a whisky distillery in the Yamazaki district near Kyoto . Opened in 1923, the distillery produces Suntory's flagship line of Yamazaki whiskies, which have won many international awards.

The Yamazaki Distillery is surrounded by nature and greenery in a quiet and serene district that has long been known for its quality water, a key ingredient to great tasting whisky. The entire process of whisky distillation and aging is done here. A museum and distillery tours are available to tourists; however, prior reservations are required for a visit.

The Yamazaki Whisky Museum is a two-story building that introduces the Suntory company, its founder, Shinjiro Torii, and its history and products. The whisky distillation process is explained on the museum's second floor with miniature models of the equipment. English descriptions are provided. There is also a gift shop on the second floor, offering whisky -related snacks and goods, as well as small bottles of un-aged whisky.

On the ground floor is a whisky library, showcasing the wide variety of whiskies in various shades of brown, yellow and gold. A cash-only tasting counter can be found on the same level, and visitors are welcome to sample a dram of any of the whiskies. Menus are available in both English and Japanese. Prices per dram vary, starting from around 500 yen.

The distillation process can only be viewed on guided tours that allow for entry into the otherwise sealed-off premises. Once in the distillery, the air changes noticeably to smell like sake at first before changing to whisky notes towards the end of the tour. Visitors are brought through the plant in chronological order of whisky-making, starting in the mashing area, then continuing to the fermentation washbacks and the large pot stills used for distillation, before inspecting the warehouse where the casked whiskies are allowed to mature and age.

The tour ends with a whisky tasting session which explains the differences between single malt whiskies and how to enjoy whisky. Regular and prestige tours are offered. Regular tours take about 80 minutes, while prestige tours take around two hours and cover the craftmanship in more detail and involve the tasting of more exquisite whiskies. Visitors who join guided tours are free to visit the Yamazaki Whisky Museum before or after their tour.

Getting there and around

The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is located in the Yamazaki district near Kyoto . It can be reached in about ten minutes on foot from either Yamazaki Station on the JR Kyoto Line (15 minutes, 230 yen one way from Kyoto Station ; or 30 minutes, 480 yen one way from Osaka Station ) or Oyamazaki Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line (30 minutes, 280 yen one way from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station; or 35 minutes, 330 yen one way from Osaka-Umeda Station ).

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Hours and Fees

Both the guided tour and entry to the museum require prior reservations which can be made online or over the phone in English or Japanese.

Guided tours cost 3,000 yen per person for a regular tour and 10,000 yen for a prestige tour. Regular tours in English are held once per day (Japanese tours are held several times per day), while prestige tours are available only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Entry to the Yamazaki Whisky Museum is free. If you are not joining a guided tour, advance reservations for visiting the museum must be made for a specific date and time. Visitors with a reservation for a distillery tour can view the museum without additional reservation.

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Everything To Know About Yamazaki Whisky Museum And Distillery Tour

Whisky aficionados can go on a yamazaki whisky museum and distillery tour to learn about the process of authentic japanese whisky making..

By: Trinetra Paul Published: Oct 12, 2022 01:00 PM IST

Japanese whisky has seen an incredible surge in global demand such that several Japanese brands are among the most coveted bottles for any whisky connoisseur. Yamazaki, bordering Kyoto and Osaka, is considered the cradle of Japanese whisky and Yamazaki distillery is the country’s first commercial distillery. Liquid gold aficionados can go on a Yamazaki Whisky Museum and distillery tour to witness the process of authentic Japanese whisky making up close. By Trinetra Paul

While alcohol production began in Yamazaki in the 1870s, commercial distribution started only in the 1920s, when Shinjiro Torii established the Yamazaki distillery and other small breweries in 1923, and named the brand after the place. The company later became Suntory and is currently known as the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery.

Today, Suntory whisky has an overwhelming demand from all over the world. The water and climate of the Yamazaki region make each dram of its single malt whisky worth the indulgence. The Yamazaki distillery tour provides the perfect opportunity to go behind the scenes and immerse in the manufacturing process. You can soak in the rich history of Japanese whisky at the Yamazaki whisky museum and end the day with some whisky tasting at the very site where it all began.

If you are a whisky enthusiast who wishes to go back in time, the Yamazaki Whisky Museum offers guided tours and tasting and is perhaps the perfect place to immerse your senses and witness Japanese artisanship at its splendid best.

Whisky tasting, distillation process and history — here’s why you must take the Yamazaki distillery tour

Things to see at the yamazaki whisky museum.

While many national museums across Japan speak of the cultural and social history of the nation, this museum speaks volumes about the rich decadent dram of Suntory whisky that the Yamazaki distillery has so carefully birthed and nurtured.

From Shinjiro Torii’s desk where he worked hard to perfect his skills of blending whiskies to rows of Suntory Whisky ‘ Shirofuda ’ bottles, the first authentic homegrown Japanese whisky and video clips tracing the contemporary process, the Yamazaki Whisky Museum is a treasure trove for anyone who likes connecting bygone eras with the current world.

Spread over two floors, the tour starts on the second floor with a dive into the whisky-production process and what the journey so far has been like — the journey to the present-day famed Suntory whiskies that we so love.

Guests are taken on an in-depth journey through the history of the Yamazaki distillery, the oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan, and the subsequent creation of the single malt whisky ‘Yamazaki’. Miniature models and other exhibits lined along the corridors also show the history of the production process. With innovation and development at its core, the tour also highlights the hiccups that the process faces and what can be done to make it smooth.

After a stride through the history of Yamazaki, and understanding the route from the barrels to the bottles, a full-fledged whisky library awaits one on the first floor.

Rows of rare whiskies and thousands of Suntory bottlings as well as a double-height exhibit area featuring pot stills and the washback used at the distillery elevate one’s experiences even more.

In the end, one can enjoy sampling some gourmet Yamazaki whisky along with noted drinks from across the world and stand a chance to discover that particular flavour of your liking at the cash-only tasting counter.

Spend some time browsing through the souvenir items at the museum gift shop and grab official Yamazaki whisky glasses or products made from the casks and carry a fond memory from this part of Japan.

Guided distillery tours

While visitors can freely walk about the Yamazaki Whisky Museum and absorb the information at their own pace, one can also avail the paid guided tour of the distillery and visit the production area.

A whiff of air here can transport one to a completely new world. While you might feel the aroma of sake in the beginning, it soon turns into sour notes of whisky as you progress. Guests are taken around in chronological order starting with the mashing area followed by fermentation and finally concluding at the warehouses.

In the production area, one can see real-time whisky production, and feel the very essence of Yamazaki whisky. While here, note the various component whiskies being made at various stages of the distillation process that eventually go on to make the delicious single-malt whisky the distillery is proud to offer.

The scintillating journey doesn’t end just here. Your guide then takes you through the process by which whiskies are segregated at the warehouse and stored in barrels for ageing. This process imparts the final undertones of subtle flavours and unique tastes to each bottle. You can end your tour by tasting some of the most exquisite drinks from the distillery and sipping on some fine single-malt whisky — Yamazaki.

While here, it is quite natural to find yourself lost in a spirited world.  However, don’t miss out on clicking photographs and making memories for a lifetime.

How to reach the Yamazaki Whisky Museum and its timing

Located in the Yamazaki district, the distillery and museum is easily accessible by foot from the Yamazaki Station on the JR Kyoto Line as well as the Oyamazaki Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line. The place is addressed as 5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima gun, Oskaka. Visiting time is between 10:00 am and 4.45 pm with the last entry being allowed at 4.30 pm.

The guided tour is priced at 1,000 Yen (INR 565 approximately) per person including whisky tasting and takes about 80 minutes. Advance reservations are mandatory and one must be aware of the days the site is closed which mainly includes the New Year’s holiday and distillery shutdowns. Tours are conducted several times a day and guests are required to reach the venue 15 minutes prior.

Albeit visiting the museum is free, prior reservations must be made for a particular time slot and date. However, if you are joining the guided tour, you need not book in advance for visiting the museum but can drop in prior to or after the tour.

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(Main image courtesy: Jason Hong/ @jhong098/ Unsplash ; Featured image courtesy: Suntory Holdings, Inc./ @suntoryglobal/ Instagram)

Related: Just A Shot Of The Rare Yamazaki Whiskey Will Cost You INR 4.7 Crores

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Answer: Yamazaki single malt whisky is distilled at the Suntory Yamazaki distillery. Established in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, it is the country's first commercial whisky distillery that has earned an unparalleled global reputation.

Answer: The iconic Yamazaki distillery is currently owned by the Japanese whisky label Suntory. Besides Yamazaki, it is home to some other best Japanese whiskies such as Hibiki and Hakushu. Visitors can go on a guided tour across the whisky museum and distillery to see the production process and learn about its history.

Answer: The Yamazaki whisky is produced at the Yamazaki Whisky distillery in the Yamazaki district. The perfect climate and local water make it an ideal location for the classic rich golden drink.

Answer: The coveted Yamazaki whisky is made by Suntory. It is the label’s iconic single-malt whisky made at the country’s first and oldest distillery.

Answer: Written as 山崎, ‘Yamazaki’ translates to ‘mountain promontory.’ A common surname and topographical name in Japan, the word mainly has its roots in Eastern Japan but is found in western parts as well.

Answer: As the oldest Japanese whisky maker and the cradle of the finest single malt whisky originating in the country, Yamazaki has an irreplaceable position in the history of whiskies. Founded years back, it still continues to tantalise global taste buds with its rare productions and premium quality drinks such as Hibiki and Hakushu.

Answer: Yes, Hibiki whisky is made in Japan at the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery and is considered one of the prized whiskies in the world.

Answer: Layered with fruit and Mizunara aromas, the flagship Yamazaki whisky has a profound Japanese origin. The Yamazaki 12 year single malt whisky is made from 100 percent pure barley and has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 43 percent. It is aged in fine Mizunara casks and one might get aromas of peach, pineapple, grapefruit, clove, candied orange or vanilla. The drink is rich golden in colour and has a spicy finish.

• japanese whisky
• Single Malt Whisky
• Yamazaki And Hibiki

Trinetra Paul

Trinetra is an ardent foodie and bibliophile who writes about films, travel, food and lifestyle. As a writer and literature student, slam poetry and storytelling are her go to jam. When not working, Trinetra is busy looking for her next place to visit or binge-watching Instagram videos for travel inspiration.

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Yamazaki Whisky Museum & Distillery Tour

• Published on : 25/06/2018
• by : Japan Experience
• Add to favorites

Yamazaki Whisky Museum & Distillery Tour: the home of Japanese whisky is Yamazaki near Kyoto where you can visit the Yamazaki Japanese Whisky Museum and take a tour of Japan's oldest distillery.

Japan's First Commercial Distillery

Reservations, yamazaki whisky museum & distillery tour サントリー山崎ウイスキー館.

Jake Davies

The home of Japanese whisky is Yamazaki near Kyoto where you can visit the Yamazaki Japanese Whisky Museum and take a tour of Japan's oldest distillery.

Japanese whisky is enjoying unprecedented popularity both domestically and internationally. Within Japan the TV drama Massan which aired in 2014-15 and was a fictional account of the story of whisky in Japan.

Scotswoman Rita Taketsuru married Masataka Taketsuru, a Japanese entrepreneur who was involved in setting up Japan's first commercial distillery here in Yamazaki. He then went on to found his own which became the Nikka brand. Nikka claims domestic sales of its whiskey went up 50% due to the TV show.

Internationally, Japanese whisky has been winning prizes consistently in international competitions for the past few years. Furthermore, it seems that demand is starting to exceed supply. Several Japanese whisky producers have started to take some brands off the market as production has not kept pace with demand.

One place you can be sure of getting a taste of some Japanese whisky, though, is the Whisky Museum at the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery. Founded in 1923, this is Japan's first commercial distillery and, along with several breweries, was built in Yamazaki to take advantage of the quality of the local water. It was founded by Shinjiro Torii, and the company later was named Suntory.

The museum has two floors of exhibition space as well as a shop and a tasting counter. There is no entry fee but reservations are mandatory. On the first floor are displays chronicling the history of Suntory and it's founder.

Also, there are exhibits on the processes involved in distilling whisky including the tasting and blending. The "Whisky Library" is where thousands of bottles of the different blends and vintages of Suntory whisky are displayed. Here is also the tasting counter where, for a fee, different whiskys can be sampled. Leading off from the counter area is a pleasant patio space with tables and seats.

The second floor continues with more exhibits and a large shop selling not only whiskys but various types of gifts. Tours of the distillery begin on the second floor at a display showing the whole process of whisky making.

The tours are in Japanese, but when there are foreign guests some English is spoken, however a free audio guide in English is available and it gives a clear, detailed description of everything you see on the tour.

The tour heads first into the mashing and fermentation building where huge vats of wood or stainless steel hold the fermenting liquid. It is somewhat warm with a distinct aroma. Next you pass through the distillery with huge copper stills and an oppressive heat and the overpowering smell of whiskey.

A longer time is spent in the huge, dark, cavern-like warehouses where thousands and thousands of casks, each with a date on them, sit and age for years and years. It is a little cooler here but the aroma is again strong.

After about fifty minutes you end up in a  hall with a large screen and tables set with samples of whiskeys for the tasting segment of the tour. Full English instructions are available as you are shown how to taste some of the component whiskeys before finally being given full instruction on how to make a highball cocktail. For myself, not a whisky drinker, this was the least interesting part of the tour, but I was most certainly in the minority.

After the tour you head to the shop, but for some of the whiskys on sale there is a strict limit of one per customer. Also it should be noted that anyone arriving by car or even bicycle will not be allowed on the tour due to the alcohol consumption.

Entry to the museum is free and the distillery tour costs 1,000 yen. Reservations for both are needed and can be made in English at the phone number and website listed below. Reservations are often filled well in advance, but cancellations occur frequently so keep checking and spaces may appear.

Yamazaki Whisky Museum www.suntory.com/factory/yamazaki/facility 5 Chome-2-1, Yamazaki Shimamoto-cho Mishima-gun Osaka 618-0001 Tel: 075 962 1423

A 10 minute walk from Yamazaki Station on the JR Tokaido Line or a 15 minute walk from Oyamazaki Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line between Osaka and Kyoto.

The Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art is a short walk away.

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Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery Tours

Whiskey. Ireland and Scotland both claim to have first created it—in fact the word roughly translates to ‘water of life’ in Gaelic. Thanks to globalisation, this dark and brooding spirit has made its way worldwide and into the hands and hearts of millions. These days, Japan is one of the top whiskey producing countries in the world, alongside the usual suspects; Scotland, Ireland, USA and Canada. Join us on a Japanese whisky tour where whisky got its start: Suntory Yamazaki Distillery.    

Whiskey in Japan

Whiskey got its start in 1923 in the southwestern Kyoto area of Yamazaki. Located at the foot of Mt.Tennozan where three rivers converge and humidity is high, it was an ideal choice.

The man with the plan was Shinjiro Torii, founder of Suntory. His passion was to domestically produce “a perfect whisky that reflects the nature of Japan and the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship”. It had never before been attempted and he faced many difficulties in the process.

Fast forward to 2003, and the Yamazaki 12 Year Old won Gold at the International Spirits Challenge (the first Japanese Whiskey to do so). Suntory Whiskeys have continued to win many major awards since, solidifying its place on the global whisky market.

Japanese Whisky Tours

It is indeed possible to visit the Yamazaki Distillery where it all began, it’s just a short train ride from both Kyoto and Osaka. Bear in mind that it is an extremely popular spot, so it’s wise to book ahead.

Tours of Yamazaki Distillery are arranged by an online reservation system . They suggest one of two experiences: self guided (free) or a paid tour.

The free self-guided tour still requires a reservation and allows you to visit the museum exhibits, museum shop and the tasting counter (paid) at your own pace. Note that you cannot view the production facilities.

The paid tour (in Japanese) includes a tour of the whiskey production facilities, so you can fully appreciate the varieties they produce. It books out weeks, or even months in advance so plan accordingly.

Whiskey Tasting

The highlight of the factory tour is the tasting corner. For a small fee, you can enjoy plenty of delicious whiskeys in search of your favourite.

Whiskey requires a long ageing period. Each component from the barrel material, water and malt slowly change the flavour over time, resulting in many varieties. You can enjoy your whiskey with water, the very same pure local water used in production. There may be limited edition whiskeys available, though recent changes and discontinuations may mean you’re relegated to other (equally delicious) drops.

How to get to Yamazaki Distillery

From Kyoto Station, take the JR Tokaido Line to Yamazaki station (roughly 15 minutes) then walk 10 minutes to the distillery. From Osaka, take the JR Tokaido Line to Yamazaki station (roughly 26 minutes) then walk 10 minutes to the distillery.  

Name: Suntory Yamazaki Distillery Address: 5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, Osaka Prefecture Operating hours: 9:30–17:00 (Last entry at 16:30) Closed: Over the New Year’s holiday and during distillery shutdowns. Website: https://www.suntory.com/factory/yamazaki

Post by Japan Journeys .

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A Visit to the Yamazaki Distillery

• by Jake Emen
• December 15, 2016

The birthplace and spiritual home of Japanese whisky is the Yamazaki distillery, founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923. Distillation began on November 11, 1924, and just a few days after the 92nd anniversary of that date, I toured its now hallowed grounds.

Yamazaki shares the name of its town, and is located a short drive outside of Kyoto. For Western whisky tourists, a trek to the distillery likely includes flying in through Tokyo, and then hopping on the bullet train to Kyoto, which takes about two and a half hours. Another option is flying through Osaka’s Kansai airport. Either way, fight off that jetlag, because you’ll want to be at full strength for this experience.

The site for Yamazaki was chosen for its overall climate and surroundings, but more specifically, for its water source, with three rivers converging in the area. Some four to five hundred years prior, highly influential tea master Sen no Rikyu chose the same site and water source, and for Suntory, the foundation of great whisky is pristine water.

“In order to have good whisky, you have to have good water,” says Mike Miyamoto, Suntory Whisky global brand ambassador, and a former Yamazaki distillery manager. Yamazaki’s is measured as having 90 mg/l of mineral content, defined as “semi-soft” water. Suntory’s other malt whisky distillery, Hakushu, has an even softer water source measured at 30 mg/l.

The most famous component of the Yamazaki distillery though is the stillhouse. A walk through offers a whisky wonderland of still shapes and sizes, and an experience unlike anything found in Scotland, Ireland, or the United States.

Yamazaki now boasts a total of eight sets of pot stills, seven of them entirely unique. The latest editions from 2013 were identical pairs, and are housed in a separate room apart from the prior six sets in the main stillhouse. Annual production capacity is over 6 million LPA.

The multitude of still types in all of those different shapes and sizes, line arms going this way and that, kettles ranging from bulbous to stout, is more than just an aesthetic marvel; it’s the key component to allowing the distillery to produce such a vast array of whisky types. “The shape of the pot still gives the character of the flavor of the spirit,” explains Miyamoto. He’s referring to the first distillation of the run, while noting that the second run’s job is to derive as much flavor as possible from the result of the first run. “The decisive factor should be the first distillation.”

As opposed to the Scotch industry, where blends may pull in whisky from a handful or dozens of distilleries, Suntory is entirely self-sufficient. Between Yamazaki and Hakushu, as well as their grain distillery, Chita, Suntory can produce well over 100 types of whisky all on its own. The Hibiki lineup includes whisky from all three distilleries, while a full line of Yamazaki and Hakushu single malts are available, along with newer offerings, such as Chita grain whisky sold on its own, and the Suntory Toki blend, an introductory Japanese whisky well adapted for highballs and cocktails.

At Yamazaki, they can produce a theoretical 70 types of whisky from one distillery when you account for the seven types of stills, along with two fermentation styles, and five different cask types. Also of note is that Yamazaki produces both peated and non-peated whisky, with the bulk of production being non-peated.

The aforementioned difference in fermentation comes from Yamazaki’s usage of both wooden and stainless steel wash backs, 50,000 liters in size. The belief is that the wooden wash backs are able to produce creamier flavors and an overall stronger character thanks to the presence of lactobacillus which remains in the pores of the wood even after the washbacks are cleaned, whereas those bacteria are unable to linger in stainless steel washbacks.

In either case, the wash ends up at approximately 7% ABV, after a fermentation of between 60 and 70 hours. A careful whiff off those washbacks offers a rather estery, fruity result.

Overall, Suntory has approximately half a million Yamazaki casks aging. The bulk of that is at their Ohmi warehousing facility, about 40 miles away from the Yamazaki distillery. There are approximately 20 warehouses on that site, with traditional dunnage style storage and no climate control.

Besides physical space, one reason for the shift to Ohmi was a change in environmental conditions over the past century. “The environment at Yamazaki distillery is different than it was 90 years ago,” says Miyamoto. “We believe that the condition of aging is not the same as we used to have.” Ohmi is in a less developed area, with surrounding forestry and suitable levels of humidity.

Roughly 30,000 casks are kept on-site at Yamazaki, including cask 0001, the very first they ever produced. While it doesn’t hold that original juice, the cask has been refilled and has stayed in usage since production began. The oldest whisky still at the facility is said to be between 55 and 60 years old.

As indicated above, Yamazaki uses five different cask types for maturation. This includes ex-bourbon casks, American white oak puncheons they produce at their cooperage, hogsheads, Mizunara oak casks they also produce on their own, and Spanish oak ex-sherry casks. A sixth type, French chateau casks, is used to finish certain whiskies, but is never used for full maturation.

There are several production differences between Yamazaki and Hakushu. At Hakushu, only wooden washbacks are used, barrels are kept racked rather than in dunnage, and only four cask types are used, with Mizunara casks not in play. Stylistically, Hakushu is more known for its combination of refreshing, light fruit and smoke; Yamazaki, more for its sweet richness and sherry influence, touched by Mizunara spiciness.

In either case, proper blending is the key to their whisky, and producing what they call Suntory’s signature “subtle, refined, yet complex” style. Shinji Fukuyo is Suntory’s fourth-ever chief blender, while Shinjiro Torii’s grandson, Shingo Torii, is Suntory’s third generation master blender.

Any trip to the Yamazaki distillery should conclude with a stop at the onsite tasting room. The beautiful whisky library and lounge showcases a vast selection of samples and bottles for safekeeping, but more importantly, offers up some wonderful deals on exclusive and prestigious releases from the Suntory portfolio. Think Hibiki 30 year or Yamazaki 25 for about $25 each, Hibiki 21 for about $5, single cask components to Hibiki 17, and plenty of others, leading to a one-of-a-kind tasting session that’s only possible in Japan.

WhiskyFun Legends: Glenturret 34 Year Old Berry Bros & Rudd

This week on WhiskyFun Legends we take a look at a single malt from the distillery that claims to be the oldest in Scotland: Glenturret.

• Whisky Production Begins At The Orkney Distillery

The first-ever whisky distillation at the distillery will occur today (March 27th) to coincide with International Whiskey Day. 

• Whiskey Review: The Waterford Cuvée Koffi

We review The Waterford Cuvée Koffi, a mix of Irish single malt whiskeys, each of which is distilled from the barley of a single Irish farm.

• Sir Rod Stewart Celebrates Wolfie’s Whisky’s First International Whiskey Day With Curated Cocktails
• RMHCK Teams Up With Pappy Van Winkle To Raffle $15,000 Bourbons For Charity
• Ground Is Broken on Glencadam Distillery’s New Visitor Centre
• Rosebank Distillery To Welcome Visitors In Summer 2024
• Whiskey Review: Hard Truth Distilling Caramel Malt Sweet Mash Rye 2023
• Whisky Review: Clynelish 14 Year Old Flora & Fauna
• Whiskey Review: Hard Truth Distilling Malted Rye Sweet Mash Rye 2023
• Whiskey Review: Hard Truth Distilling Chocolate Malt Sweet Mash Rye 2023

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The Traveling Star

Suntory Whisky Yamazaki Distillery (How to book a tour, how to go, and what to expect)

This was a last-minute thing my dad wanted to do while we were there. We canceled some plans just to go here, but the sad part was that because this was a last-minute thing, we weren’t able to maximize our time at the distillery.

How to book Suntory Yamazaki Distillery whisky tour:

Proceed to this site – click me

When you open the site :

Before I talk about how you can go to the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, I will just tell you regarding the restaurant that we discovered while walking towards the distillery from the subway. We had lunch at Okonomiyaki Yamaki before going to the distillery.

How to go: 

What to expect for the Yamazaki Whisky museum viewing:

This was my only photo remembrance at the distillery HAHAHAHA!

all photos taken using an iPhone / Fujifilm X-T20 18-55 mm

Hopefully, we can come back here and join the paid whisky tour at the distillery.

Watch my Osaka Travel Film here!

Read about my other  Osaka  or  Japan  adventures

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

THE 10 BEST Moscow City Tours

City tours in moscow.

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• Good for Big Groups
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14. MoscowMe

15. Tour of Moscow - Day Tours

16. Kremlin Tour

17. IdeaGuide - Your Personal Guide in Moscow

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17 Best Moscow Tours

Are you planning a visit to the capital of Russia and looking for the best Moscow tours? From Red Square to the Kremlin and from world-class art to fairytale buildings, Moscow is an enchanting city that offers plenty of excitement and elegance. Its history dates back more than 800 years, and there is culture in abundance for visitors to immerse themselves in.

Make the most of your visit with 17 of the best Moscow tours that let you see everything the city and its surroundings have to offer.

1 – Guided Tour of the Moscow Metro

Moscow’s metro is world-famous, thanks to the architectural delights on offer underground stations around the capital. This guided tour of the Moscow stations, otherwise known as “the palace of the people” lasts for 1.5 hours and includes an English-speaking guide who will tell you how the Russian metro became one of the most beautiful in the world. Highlights include Mayakovskaya station with its aviation-themed mosaics.

• Moscow metro tours

2 – Cosmonautics Museum Space Tour

Discover Cosmonautics Museum with this space tour. Dive into one of the greatest battles between the Soviet Union and the United States – the space race. Hear about the space programs of the USSR and learn about how the USSR shaped space travel and technology.

• Cosmonautics Museum tours

3 – Guided Tour of the Kremlin

A Kremlin is actually a citadel in Russian towns, and Moscow’s version is, without doubt, the most famous. The Kremlin is the heartbeat of the city, and this guided tour takes you to the most important points of interest. See Cathedral Square with its orthodox temples; Tzar Cannon with its 890mm calibre, which is the largest in the world; and the exterior of the all-important government buildings that are located within the Kremlin’s walls.

Click here to learn how to book Kremlin tickets .

• Kremlin tours

4 – Moscow City Walking Tour

One of the best Moscow tours for seeing everything the city has to offer, this small-group walking tour lasts for 2 hours and includes an expert guide. Make the most of the capital and see the cobbled spaces of Red Square, take pictures of St Basil’s Cathedral, visit the elegant Bolshoi Theatre, and enjoy the ornamental Alexandrovsky Garden.

• Moscow walking tours

5 – Night Tour of Moscow

When the sun sets, the fun begins – and it all starts with a night tour of Russia’s most famous city. The beauty of Moscow comes into full effect after hours, as iconic buildings like St Basil’s Cathedral illuminate against the night sky. Other locations on this tour include the Moscow River and the Ukraine Hotel, which is a landmark skyscraper that was constructed during the era of Stalin.

6 – Sergiev Posad Day Trip

One of the best Moscow tours that take you outside of the city, the Sergiev Posad day trip provides the opportunity to see The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church. It’s made up of a number of different buildings that include the blue domes of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Church of St. Sergius and the Bell Tower.

• Sergiev Posad day trips from Moscow

7 – City Sightseeing Moscow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

If your time in Moscow is limited, this hop-on, hop-off bus tour is ideal – and it even features an optional cruise on the river. Choose between a 2 and 3-day ticket and see famous landmarks like Red Square, the Kremlin and the Bolshoi Theatre from an open-top panoramic bus with informative audio commentary. Take your experience to the next level by upgrading to a boat tour.

• Moscow hop on hop off bus tours

8 – Guided Tour of the Tretyakov Gallery

As one of the world’s most important galleries, the Tretyakov Gallery is a must-see for any art lovers and is one of the best Moscow tours for culture vultures. Learn about the masterworks of Pablo Tretyakov with a guided tour and discover the secrets behind the paintings. Other noticeable artists on view include Fedotov, Vasnetsov, Rokotov and Kiprenski, who is the author of the famous “Portrait of Alexander Pushkin”.

• Tretyakov Gallery tours

9 – Alternative Moscow: 2-Hour Walking Tour

See a different side of Moscow with this 2-hour alternative tour. An expert guide will take you around quirky streets, suburbs and squares while as your veer away from the traditional tourist hotspots. Highlights include a ride on the famous “Annushka” tram and a visit to the neighbourhood of Khitrovka, which was once known as the criminal district of the city.

10 – St.Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square: Private Tour and Ticket

Combine two of Moscow’s biggest attractions with a visit to Red Square and St.Basil’s Cathedral. Admire the beautiful architecture of St.Basil’s Cathedral from inside and out, before wandering Red Square and learn about the soldiers, farmers and revolutionaries that all called this famous square their home. Round things off with the changing of the guard at Alexander Garden.

• Red Square tours

11 – Bunker-42 Cold War Museum Guided Tour

Moscow is notorious for the Cold War, which lasted for about 45 years between 1945 and 1990. Head to the world-famous Bunker-42, located 65 meters below ground level, and learn about the storied past. Visit rooms and passages that were set up to shelter 3,000 people in case of nuclear attack and discover other sections, such as the equipment room and the war-proof telecommunications system.

• Bunker-42 Cold War Museum tours

12 – Architecture Tour of Moscow’s Metro and Kolomenskoye Estate

Combine the beauty of the metro stations with the Kolomenskoye Estate and see some of Moscow’s grandest sights. After visiting the elegant metro stations, it’s time to go to the Kolomenskoye Estate, which is filled with UNESCO-listed sites that are dedicated to Tsar Peter the Great.

• Kolomenskoye tours

13 – Tour of Soviet Moscow

Unpick the history of the USSR with one of the best Moscow tours for discovering Soviet Moscow. Starting at Monument to the Conquerors of Space, a tribute to the success of the Soviet space programme, the tour includes historical landmarks and interesting tidbits about Soviet Russia. There is also a visit to the All-Russia Exhibition Centre (VDNKh), a site that was constructed under the aegis of the USSR in tribute to state achievements.

14 – Moscow: 2.5-Hour Luxury River Cruise with Dining Option

Sail down the Moscow River on this 2.5 hour tour that provides a different perspective of the city and includes landmark sights. The boat features two decks and has panoramic views as well as free Wi-Fi access. Attractions along the route include Ukraine hotel, Sparrow Hills, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Crimean Bridge, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Zaryadye Park and more.

• Moscow boat tours

15 – Izmailovo Market and Vodka Museum Tour

Visit the museum of Vodka and gain insight into one of Russia’s most famous exports and head to the Izmailovo antique and handicraft market to find a gem or two. The tour starts with Izmailovo market, which features the iconic matryoshka dolls, fur hats and amber jewellery. Next up is a trip to the Museum of Vodka, where you will discover a distillery that dates back to the 15th century.

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16 – Súzdal and Vladímir Day Tour

Discover Russia’s famous “Golden Ring” on this tour of two medieval cities outside of Moscow. The historic city of Vladimir is first up with its Golden Gate, which is an ancient city-fortress that dates back to the 13th century. Next up is the neighbouring town of Suzdal, which features historic architecture and the Kremlin, where you can see its striking white walls topped with blue domes.

• Suzdal & Vladimir tours from Moscow

17- Moscow Food Tasting & Walking Tour

Sample the unique flavours of Moscow with this food tour that lasts for 3 hours and features more than 15 different food and drink tastings. Weave in and out of small alleys in the city centre while enjoying the best food spots in town. See Moscow like a local while trying classic dishes from local breakfast haunts, bustling markets, the oldest monastery in Moscow, and dumpling cafes where you can taste authentic dumplings and enjoy local coffee.

• Moscow food tours

Basic Information

• Dedication to quality
• How to enjoy the distillery
• Tours and visit reservations
• Yamazaki Whisky Museum

Yamazaki. Where Japanese whisky was born.

Hakushu. Unique in the world, a distillery located in the forest.

Stop! Under 20 drinking / drink driving. It is advisable not to drink alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is important to drink moderately. Suntory Spirits Limited