OSAKA: My Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Yamazaki Distillery

OSAKA: My Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Yamazaki Distillery

WHEN TO BOOK

Book Yamazaki distillery tour at least 2 months in advance, when reservation opens to ensure you get your desired date. The tour is always fully booked. For example, if you're going to the distillery in May, they open reservations at 8:00 AM on March 1. For the best chance to get your desired date, especially a weekend date, reserve on the 1st day of the month when reservations open.

Suntory Yamazaki distillery tour reservations: CLICK HERE

PRICE of the distillery tour: 1000 yen per person

My tip: If the Yamazaki distillery tour is fully booked and you want to taste the rare Yamazaki whisky, like the 25 year old Yamazaki, make reservations at the Whisky Museum instead. Entrance is free. You only pay for the tasting fee of the whisky you wish to taste.

Suntory Yamazaki whisky museum reservations: CLICK HERE

PRICE: FREE entrance, but you pay for the drinks you taste.


WHAT TIME TO CHOOSE

We chose the 12:20 PM slot so there will be time to travel to the facility without waking up too early and time to have lunch before starting the tour with tasting. You need a full stomach for proper tasting, so you won't get drunk easily.


HOW TO GET THERE

Use google maps. Arrive at Yamazaki or Oyamazaki Station. Walk 950 meters to 1km to the entrance of the Yamazaki Distillery



WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE DISTILLERY TOUR

1. You tour the facility where they actually make the whisky and where they store to age it. You get to see the different areas of production, from mashing to fermentation to distillation

2. After the tour, there is free tasting where you get to taste both the unblended and blended whisky.

3. They teach you how to make a highball.

4. You have an option to do paid tasting for hard to find. 

MY ITINERARY

8:30 AM
Leave the hotel

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Travel by train to Yamazaki from Nipponbashi station to Oyamazaki station

Weekend

Weekday

11:30 AM -12:00 PM
Sandwich lunch at Daily convenience store, beside JR Yamazaki station


12:20 PM - 1:40 PM
Yamazaki distillery tour

Mashing




 Fermentation 

Distillation 



Aging in oak barrels 





FREE TASTING














Highball


1:40 PM - 2:30 PM
Tasting room, paid tasting




























3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Travel by train from Oyamazaki station to Nippombashi station

WHAT TO ORDER AT THE LOGGIA AT PALACIO DE MEMORIA

WHAT TO ORDER AT THE LOGGIA AT PALACIO DE MEMORIA

Although the Loggia is conceptualised by Margarita Fores, the food has not yet achieved the level of Cibo. I'm a fan of Margarita Fores ever since Trattoria Uno days and I love Cibo. Most of the food that we ordered at the Loggia was just OK, except for 2 which were really good. And that's what I'm recommending. 

We ordered an antipasti, pasta, mains, pizza, dessert, wine and coffee. What was exceptionally good was the pasta and the main.

We ordered the Papardelle, Asparagus, Prosciutto, Truffle Cream Pasta. As always, the pasta of Margarita Fores is exceptionally good. Must order that one. 

Papardelle, Asparagus, Prosciutto, Truffle Cream Pasta
(600 php)

We also ordered the Australian Beef Tenderloin alla Scamorza. It was very tender and juicy. We ordered medium rare but it came out medium well. But it was still good. So that's worth ordering.

Australian Beef Tenderloin alla Scamorza
(810 php)

Where to buy travel insurance online if you're originating from the Philippines

Where to buy travel insurance online if you're originating from the Philippines

1. Pioneer Insurance

Website : https://insureshop.ph/travel/safetrip

2. Pacific Cross

Website: https://secure.pacificcross.com.ph/Oqapv2Prod/Trip.aspx?transType=BUY

3. AXA Philippines

Website: https://www.axa.com.ph/travel-insurance

4. Malayan Insurance

Website: https://www.malayan.com/products/lifestyle/travel-master/application

How many hours before an international flight should you be at Manila International Airport Terminal 3?

How many hours before an international flight should you be at Manila International Airport Terminal 3?

Updated June 16, 2023, after all airlines from other terminals have completed transfer to NAIA3. 

At least 3 hours. 4 hours

Check-in time takes 35 minutes. Lines are longer at web check-in counters than at the regular check-in counters. But its still better to check in online already before arriving at the airport because it gives you both the option of checking in at the web check-in counters or at the regular counter.

Going through immigration takes 40 min.1-1.5 hours

That's 75 min 2 hours lost already. You can use the other 75 min 1 hour to take a leisurely walk to the gate and take a quick snack before boarding happens 30 min before the flight. You need to be at the 

NOTE: You might need more time if you're leaving your car for several days at NAIA overnight parking slot or if you're paying travel tax at the airport. 

MANILA: Transit Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3

MANILA: Transit Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3

For those transiting through NAIA Terminal 3, you have 3 options on where to stay, all located at Level 4:

PAID:

1. Wings Transit Lounge

+632 8869464

+632 8337299

thewings@jipang-group.com

Where you can book: https://twtl.as.me/schedule.php

2. SM Kenko Spa

Website: https://jipang-group.com/sm-kenko/naia

Where you can book: https://twtl.as.me/schedule.php

FREE:

Sitting area near Ministop, Jollibee and Pancake House

TOKYO: Nanaya Aoyama in Shibuya has the Best Matcha Gelato in Matcha No. 7

TOKYO: Nanaya Aoyama in Shibuya has the Best Matcha Gelato in Matcha No. 7

Matcha in my mind tonight! In all my travels where I try find the best matcha ice cream in town, Nanaya Aoyama in Shibuya, Tokyo still remains the best. Nanaya Aoyama has matcha levels 1-7. Of course, I got matcha no. 7. I wasn't disappointed. Its the full-bodied, intense matcha flavor that I like. We visited the gelato shop in 2018. As Google maps will show, it's still open. So, for matcha lovers who are visiting Tokyo. Make sure to visit Nanaya Aoyama. It's a one-of-a-kind matcha gelato shop.

Nanaya Aoyama

+81 3-6427-9008

https://maps.app.goo.gl/M8ZeZ4JRDUsf6WkG6

 

My matcha No. 7 gelato

Matcha No. 1 to Matcha No. 7

Matcha No. 2, 5, 7

This is the 2018 price list. 

The current price is 620 yen for matcha no. 7 

and 400 yen for others. 

Google maps photo showing photos uploaded 8 days ago. 

Why get an IBP ID? Coz lawyers are now eligible to apply for a multiple entry Japan tourist visa

Why get an IBP ID? Coz lawyers are now eligible to apply for a multiple entry Japan tourist visa

Membership to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) is compulsory for lawyers admitted to the Philippine Bar. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID is issued to lawyers who  have paid their IBP membership dues for the current year and have no outstanding obligations.

Aside from the use of the IBP ID in the same manner as other government issued ID, it can be used as proof that you are a lawyer when applying for a multiple entry 5 year Japan tourist visa. A lawyer, and the spouse and child of a lawyer, are eligible to apply for a multiple entry 5 year Japan tourist visa.

Check out this page and download the request for a multiple entry temporary visitor visa on this page to see who are eligible to apply for a multiple entry 5 year Japan tourist visa: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html

This is the request for multiple entry temporary visitor visa
with a list of those eligible to make the request. 

How to get an IBP ID?
1. Download the myIBP app at Google play store or at the Apple store. 
2. Register an account using your Roll of attorney number.
3. Pay the IBP annual dues at the app. 
4. Request for an ID at the app. 
5. Upload any photo you have on file.
6. Pay for the ID
7. Wait for it to be sent to you by courier.