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.
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