The 14 Best Whisky Tours in Japan

1.Japanese Whisky Tasting Experience at Local Bar in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · from $273Our pick

Meet your English-speaking guide in Ginza for a two-hour tasting at a local Tokyo bar. You’ll sample four or five Japanese whiskies, possibly including Chita, Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki, while learning how they differ. Food tours and private bookings are optional add-ons.

“My husband and I were interested in a whiskey tasting tour while we were in Japan. We had hopes to go to Suntory Yamazaki Distillery but was it hard to go to and schedule a tour. We were happy to find this tour through Viator to give us Read more”

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2.《MEMBERS-ONLY-BAR-HOPPING》Discover Your Special Whiskey in Tokyo!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $151

Meet at 8 p.m. in Ebisu for a 2.5-hour walk to two tiny members-only bars. Guides such as Hayato, Yuichi, and Koki match 4 to 5 Japanese whisky, gin, and cocktail pours to your taste, with snacks, handmade dashi, photos, and a small gift included.

“The bars we visited were incredible and the guide was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the area. We had the drinks explained to us very well and got to experience the best of Japanese whisky. If there’s one thing you do while you’re here make it this tour”

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3.[Otaru & Yoichi] Let’s go to Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, Music Box Hall, and Yoichi Nikka Whiskey by private car (arriving and departing from Sapporo)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews

Travel by private car from Sapporo to Yoichi’s Nikka Whisky Museum and Otaru’s canal, Sakaimachi Street, and Music Box Hall. Drivers such as Masaru, Tomomi, and Kate are praised for careful driving and helpful local suggestions. Choose six or eight hours, with room to adjust stops within your allotted time.

“We really appreciate Masaru -San for arranging for our free Nikka Whisky tour. We had a great time in Otaru”

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4.Japanese Whisky Hunting《HIGH-QUALITY-ONLY》Rare Tasting Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · from $110

Meet Dan, Shugo, Yukata, Hayato, or another host near Yoyogi-Uehara Station for a two-hour tasting of around 10 Japanese whiskies. The pours can be adjusted to your tastes, with Japanese snacks, sweets, soft drinks, photos, and a surprise souvenir included.

“Dan showed us and let us sample a wide range of Japanese whiskeys so it was quite informative. We found a couple of new favorites and will definitely look for them when we get back home”

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5.Kyoto 1 Day Suntory Yamazaki Distillery Tour and Asahi Art Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $163

Meet an English-speaking assistant at Hankyu Oyamazaki Station for a guided visit to Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, whisky tasting, shopping, and a gift, followed by Monet’s Water Lilies at Asahi Oyamazaki Villa Museum. Guides such as Sachiko and Aya add local help, but steep walking and extra tasting fees matter.

“If you enjoy Japanese whisky and particularly Yamazaki, this is one way to visit and tour the distillery without doing the lottery. Our guide Aya was marvelous—she is kind, fun, helpful, and great to chat with. There is a visit to Asahi museum aRead more”

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6.Kyoto Half Day Yamazaki Whisky Museum and Asahi Art Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $65Best value

Spend three hours near Kyoto visiting Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art and Yamazaki Whisky Museum. An English-speaking assistant such as Yumiko or Fuji-san helps you focus on Monet, Picasso, Chagall, whisky history, shopping, and optional tastings. Expect a steep uphill walk.

“So helpful to get entry into tasting and tour guide was patient and informative. She walked us around and provided a lot of history of the distillery.”

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7.Tokyo: Tasting Japanese Whiskies Experience

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · 1h 30m · from $103

Reserve a 90-minute tasting at BAR ODIN near Ebisu Station and compare three Yamazaki whiskies with three Chichibu Ichiro’s Malt bottles. You’ll also receive small snacks and a 700-yen charge is included. The owner may explain the spirits, but staff and available bottles can vary.

“The location is absolutely difficult to find and it took multiple phone calls to make the scheduled activity. The venue is beautiful and the whiskey tasting set-up and ambiance was outstanding. However, the bartender was not positioned for success because he did not speak English very well. He attempted to convey his knowledge to the best of his ability which was appreciated by the members of my party. I have done many Whiskey tastings and this by far was the least information I received from a host. If you choose this activity use Google to research the Whiskeys and discuss amongst yourselves. I would not do this activity again as…”

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8.The 4 Best Japanese whiskies tasting/HIBIKI 21year, YAMAZAKI, etc

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $195

Spend 60 minutes at Roppongi 7557 tasting four Japanese whiskies, including Hibiki 21, Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. Hosts Kana and Tomo add a blind tasting game, tasting notes, and a short whisky-making video. You must book for at least two people and bring valid ID.

“We visited Tokyo from Los Angeles during Sakura season and wanted to try some fine Japanese Whiskeys. Heard of this place and gave it a shot.”

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9.Hidden Gem Food & Whiskey Night Tour near Roppongi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $156

Join Ellen and Joon for a four-hour evening walk and meal in Azabujuban, between Roppongi and Tokyo Tower. You will visit three local izakayas, restaurants, and bars, taste five rare Japanese whiskeys, try yakitori, wagyu, sashimi, and oden, and may even learn to make tamagoyaki and yakitori.

“Ellen was a treasure. Sweet, personable, fun, knowledgeable, and we enjoyed swapping stories. We learned a lot, walked a lot, and saw lot of things off the beaten path. She has some wonderful personal connections w the locals. The food was very well prepared and tasty. The whisky session w the bar owner was very informative and quite enjoyable!”

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10.Hokkaido: Nikka Yoichi Whisky Museum Guided Tour & Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $83

Meet your English-speaking guide at Yoichi Station for a two-hour private visit to Nikka’s historic distillery. Explore its museum, learn about Taketsuru and whisky-making, then taste three on-site malts unavailable elsewhere. Guide Jun adds useful details beyond the displays.

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11.Invitation to Japanese Whisky: Exclusive TastingTime/Private

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1h 30m · from $245

Meet guide Kenji at Kyoto’s Sanjo Ohashi, then walk to a favorite Japanese whisky bar for a 90-minute private tasting. Make a Suntory Kaku highball, sample rare pours such as Yamazaki 12 and Hibiki Blender’s Choice, pair whisky with snacks, and get local restaurant tips.

“Kenji was an excellent guide to explain all about Japanese Whisky! I finally learned about tasting!! To observe the top notes thru tasting and sensing how whisky feels on the palate and throat. First tasting then adding a drop of water opens the mouthfeel and taste. Amazing and better! Arigoto Gozaimas Kenji for your expertise and further suggestions on my Japanese Whisky journey & I will buy some to take home to Canada! Arigoto Gozaimas!!”

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12.Tokyo: Mt. Fuji 5th St. & Hakushu Distillery Whisky Museum

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 3 reviews · 1 day · from $87

Travel from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji's 5th Station, Oishi Park, and Suntory's Hakushu Whisky Museum by air-conditioned bus. An English, Chinese, or Japanese guide leads the day. Guide Davide has earned praise for his stories, but tasting fees, lunch, and whisky purchases cost extra.

“Our guide Davide was amazing, he knows his stuff and had so many interesting stories”

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13.Suntory Whisky and Beer Tasting Walking Tour in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $91

Meet an English-speaking assistant at Hankyu Oyamazaki Station for a small-group walk to the Yamazaki Whisky Museum, then continue to Suntory Kyoto Brewery for a production tour and tasting. You’ll browse the museum, sample whisky at extra cost, receive a gift, and finish at JR Nagaokakyo Station.

“We understood this tour did not include the highly popular whisky distillery tour, but we were still excited. Within 1 business day, Fujiya-san from H.I.S. Co. (DMC) contacted with clear instructions, detailed itinerary, and photos of our meRead more”

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14.Tour of Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery with Whiskey Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $231

Meet your driver and English-speaking guide at Sendai Station at 12:30 p.m. Visit national treasure Osaki Hachimangu, then tour Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery. See the production process, taste whisky, and browse the museum shop on this private, adults-only outing.

“Had a great time! Yes, it is a bit pricey but you are getting a guide and a ride to the shrine(s) and distillery. Highly recommend if you can!”

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