Japanese whisky distilleries

The principal Japanese whisky distilleries behind Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita, Yoichi and Miyagikyo, and how their production roles differ.

Japanese whisky is not made by one type of distillery. Suntory’s three main sites combine two malt distilleries with a grain distillery, while Nikka’s two malt distilleries deliberately make contrasting styles. Those differences matter more to a buyer than a broad label such as “Japanese whisky”.

This is a guide to the principal distilleries behind bottles commonly sold in the UK. It is not a complete register of every Japanese producer. For the labelling standard, imported-whisky issue and bottle choices, see our Japanese whisky guide. For live offers, use Japanese whisky prices.

Suntory

Yamazaki, Osaka

Yamazaki was established in 1923 by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii. It is Japan’s first malt whisky distillery and sits where the Katsura, Uji and Kizu rivers meet, on the edge of Kyoto. Yamazaki is the malt source behind Yamazaki single malt and one of the components used in Hibiki blends. Its range includes whisky matured in American, Spanish and mizunara oak.

Hakushu, Yamanashi

Hakushu was established in 1973 in the Japanese Southern Alps. It is Suntory’s second malt distillery. Its mountain setting and soft water make it a useful contrast with Yamazaki in a tasting, rather than a substitute for it. Hakushu is also one of the three distilleries represented in Hibiki.

Chita, Aichi

The Chita distillery was established in 1972 on the Chita Peninsula. Unlike Yamazaki and Hakushu, it specialises in grain whisky. Its spirit is used in Suntory blends including Hibiki, and it also appears as The Chita single grain whisky.

Nikka

Yoichi, Hokkaido

Yoichi was founded in 1934 and was Nikka’s first distillery. It faces the Sea of Japan in Hokkaido. Nikka still uses direct coal-fired pot stills there, a rare technique that the producer associates with Yoichi’s robust, subtly smoky character.

Miyagikyo, Sendai

Miyagikyo was completed in 1969 as Nikka’s second distillery. It was designed to make a contrasting malt to Yoichi. Nikka describes its steam-heated distillation and valley setting as producing a more floral, gentle style. The site also makes malt and grain whisky with Coffey stills.

How to use this directory

• Choose Yamazaki or Hakushu if you want to compare Suntory’s two single-malt styles.
• Choose Yoichi or Miyagikyo for Nikka’s contrasting malt styles.
• Look for Chita in a blend’s producer description when you want to understand the grain-whisky component.
• Confirm the individual bottle’s label and producer page when Japanese provenance matters. A distillery name alone does not establish that every release meets the JSLMA Japanese-whisky standard.

Sources and review

Reviewed 24 October 2026 against current producer information: House of Suntory history, Yamazaki Distillery, Nikka Yoichi and Miyagikyo and Nikka’s distillery information. Distillery dates, production details and ownership can change, so this page will be reviewed when the Japanese producer directory is expanded.