Whisky Tour of Japan with Bill Lark

DAY 1 Monday April 27, 2026 Kyoto
Today we depart Australia on our flight to Osaka Japan. On arrival we are transferred to the city of Kyoto and our hotel where we stay for three nights.

DAY 2 Tuesday April 28, 2026 Kyoto
Today we have a tour of Kyoto where we see some of the highlights of the city. We visit the Kinkakuji, better known as the Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will, it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. We then visit the Ryoanji Temple, the site of Japan’s most famous rock garden. Originally an aristocrat’s villa during the Heian Period, the site was converted into a Zen temple in 1450 and belongs to the Myoshinji School of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. We then visit the spectacular Arahhiyama Bamboo Forest. Walk through the ethereal bamboo grove and enjoy the ambience Later we visit Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district made famous from the novel and film Memoirs of a Geisha. It is filled with shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geisha and maiko (geisha apprentices) entertain.

DAY 3 Wednesday April 29, 2026 Kyoto
Today in one of the highlights of the tour we visit Yamazaki Distillery. Japan’s first malt whisky distillery, is an unforgettable experience for whisky enthusiasts. Nestled at the foot of the stunning Osakasayama mountains, surrounded by lush greenery. The building itself blends modern architecture with traditional Japanese aesthetics. After a warm welcome at the visitor center, you’re handed a visitor guide and a tasting glass. The tour begins with a brief history of whisky in Japan, highlighting the pioneering efforts of Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory. As you walk through the distillery, you’re captivated by the intricate copper pot stills and the wooden fermentation tanks, each contributing to the unique flavor profiles of their whiskies. The guide shares fascinating insights into the distillation process and the importance of local water sourced from the nearby mountains. We then move to the tasting room, where a selection of Yamazaki whiskies awaits. You sample a few different expressions, from the smooth Yamazaki 12-Year-Old to the rich and complex Yamazaki 18-Year-Old. Each sip reveals layers of flavor—fruity, floral, and a hint of smoke, complemented by the craftsmanship that goes into every bottle. Later you have time to explore the distillery grounds. You stroll through the beautiful gardens, where you can take in the natural beauty of the area and reflect on the craftsmanship that goes into each bottle of Yamazaki whisky. The picturesque scenery offers perfect photo opportunities, capturing the essence of Japanese tranquility. There will be time to stop by the gift shop, where you find a range of exclusive Yamazaki whiskies, along with unique merchandise. You can’t resist picking up a bottle to take home as a memento of this remarkable experience.

DAY 4 Thursday April 30, 2026 Mt Fuji Region
This morning we depart Kyoto and travel by Bullett train to near Hakone the spa town near Mt Fuji where we stay for the next two nights. We then visit the Gaiaflow Shizuoka Distillery. Located in the protected mountainous area of Shizuoka, known as Oku-Shizu, in close harmony with nature. The underground water from the Southern Alps, which nourishes the earth of this area, flows into the Abe River before streaming beneath Oku-Shizu Enveloped as it is with the seasonal microclimate of the region, Gaiaflow Shizuoka Distillery is also the first ever distillery to use Japanese cedar as equipment Experience a whole new whisky experience on our tour of the distillery. We then continue on to our hotel.

DAY 5 Friday May 1, 2026 Mt Fuji Region
Today we visit the Fuji Gotemba Distillery which was first opened in 1973. It uses Mt. Fuji snowmelt and rainwater in all whiskymaking. This water takes a 50-year journey from the mountain‘s peak to the depths of the aquifer located 100 meters (330 feet ) beneath the distillery. The Whisky benefits from the natural, misty environment of Mt. Fuji. High humidity, a yearround blanket of fog, cool temperatures, and clean air purified by forests provide a unique terroir perfect for aging whiskies. Nestled amidst the rugged grace of Mt. Fuji, the distillery has crafted its whiskies over 50 years. A whisky with pristine clarity on the palate and vibrant fruity notes on the nose. This afternoon we visit and taste the whisky from the Sasakawa Distillery. They crate the worlds finest Whisky from the natural mineral water from Mt Fuji. We then return to our hotel.

DAY 6 Saturday May 2, 2026 Tokyo
This morning we depart the Mt Fuji area and first visit a local Sake producer to sample their produce before we travel into the city of Tokyo and our hotel.

DAY 7 Sunday May 3, 2026 Tokyo
Tokyo is the political, economic and cultural capital of Japan. There are more than twelve million people living in Tokyo and millions more living within a radius of fifty kilometres. We will enjoy a city tour of exciting Tokyo this morning. We see the famous Ginza area and visit the Imperial Palace East Garden, which is still part of the Royal Residence. We continue with a visit to Asakusa, the heart of traditional Japan. The main attraction is Sensoji, a popular Buddhist temple built in the seventh century. We will have time to walk along Nakamise-dori, the bustling market area, where souvenirs and wooden sandals are sold. This evening we attend a well known Tokyo Whisky Bar.

DAY 8 Monday May 4, 2026 Tokyo
This morning we visit Gin distiller Tokyo Riverside Distillery which was established in 2020. In the afternoon we visit the Blue Rabbit Distillery that is located in the heart of Tokyo. This evening we visit another of the famous Whisky bars of Tokyo.

DAY 9 Tuesday May 5, 2026 Nagano
Today we depart Tokyo and travel into the Japanese Alps. We first visit the Hakushi Distillery which is a magical experience set in a stunning forest at the foot of the Southern Japanese Alps. The distillery was established in 1973 and is another Suntory distillery offering a great experience for whisky lovers. We have a tour of the distillery and a whisky tasting. We then continue further into the Alps to the our hotel in the town of Nagano.

DAY 10 Wednesday May 6, 2026 Nagano
Today we visit the Komoro Distillery surrounded by forest high above the city of Komoro. The distillery was founded by Koji Shimaoka along with Ian Chang formerly the head distiller at Kavalan Distillery in Taiwan.

DAY 11 Thursday May 7, 2026 Nagano
Today we travel further into the highlands to visit the Mars Kamagatake Distillery which is Japan’s highest distillery at an altitude of 798m. The distillery was established in 1949 by Kiichiro Iwai. The distillery sits at the base of its namesake mountain, the tallest peak in the Central Japanese Alps. A river of crystal-clear water, fed by the snowmelt from the mountains above, flows beside the distillery as it descends into the Ina Valley below. The Mars Komagatake Distillery produces a range of blended and single malt whiskies and ages them on the premises. We have a tour of the distillery and taste a number of their whisky’s before returning to Nagano.

DAY 12 Friday May 8, 2026 Otaru, Hokkaido Japan
Today we depart Nagano and first travel Chichibu Distillery. After the famous Hanyu Distillery closed in 2000, Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the original owner, bought the remaining casks and continued his family’s legacy by establishing the Chichibu Distillery in 2007. Today, Akuto is well-known across Japan’s whisky landscape, since the Chichibu Distillery, while still relatively small, has a reputation for experimentation that has earned fans across the world. We then head to the airport for our flights to Hokkaido where we are transferred to Otaru and our hotel.

DAY 13 Saturday May 9 2026 Otaru
Today we visit the famed Yoichi Distillery which sits in a beautiful garden setting. The location was chosen as it was abundant in barley and peat as well as coal which is still used today to fire the stills (this is rarely seen elsewhere in the world today.) Yoichi is also influenced by its proximity to the sea at Ishikari Bay. The distillery was established by Masataka Taketsuru, known as the father of Japanese whisky. After returning From Scotland where he worked in various distilleries gaining an invaluable experience he first helped Shinjiro Torii establish Yamazaki, and he then founded the Nikka Distillery in Yoichi in 1934. Masataka and his Scottish wife, Rita have since become the subject of a beautiful love story and there historic home on the distillery site can be visited today. We then return to Oturu and our hotel.

DAY 14 Sunday May 10, 2026 Otaru
This morning we will visit a local sake producer to find out about how this local beverage is made. The afternoon is free to explore the town of Otaru.

DAY 15 Monday May 11, 2026 Niseko, Hokkaido Japan
Today we visit the Niseko Distillery which was established in 1922 to produce Sake before obtaining a licence to make whisky in 2016 Located in between Mt. Niseko Annupuri and Mt. Yotei, the town of Niseko is blessed with the type of high-quality water that is unique to areas of heavy snowfall. The blessings of these beautiful natural surroundings allow their whisky to mature gently over time along with the changing of the four seasons. We then visit a local Sake distillery

DAY 16 Tuesday May 12, 2026 Sapporo, Hokkaido Japan
This morning we travel to the city of Sapporo in Hokkaido. On arrival we have a tour of the Sapporo Beer Factory and visit the beer museum before checking into our hotel. This evening we have a final night dinner to celebrate our tour of Japan.

DAY 17 Wednesday May 13, 2026 Departure
After breakfast the tour group will be transferred to the Airport for flights back to Australia. The tour concludes.