Whisky - worth buying as tourist?

J-popsy · 8 Apr 2025

Only a month now before my second visit and I'm wondering if it's worth buying Japanese whisky while there.

I realise that the choice is going to be much wider than in Europe. I'm not a high-end consumer nor a connoisseur; I just thought of treating myself to a bottle at the end of my three weeks trip, possibly after sampling a few drams in some bars in the various places I'm visiting, from a mini tour of Kyushu , then back up to Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.
I noticed recently in one of the local generic Asian food shops I visit two whiskies on sale and wondered if the prices are comparable in Japan.

One bottle is called The Fujisan Whisky, premium edition, €49 (approx. 7900Y); the other is Suntory Chita Single Grain Whisky, €70 (approx 11300Y at today's rate). Could someone advise on the comparability of these prices , maybe from a Japanese site or supermarket?
Thanks for any input offered.
M

mdchachi · 8 Apr 2025

J-popsy said:
Only a month now before my second visit and I'm wondering if it's worth buying Japanese whisky while there.

I realise that the choice is going to be much wider than in Europe. I'm not a high-end consumer nor a connoisseur; I just thought of treating myself to a bottle at the end of my three weeks trip, possibly after sampling a few drams in some bars in the various places I'm visiting, from a mini tour of Kyushu, then back up to Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.
I noticed recently in one of the local generic Asian food shops I visit two whiskies on sale and wondered if the prices are comparable in Japan.

One bottle is called The Fujisan Whisky, premium edition, €49 (approx. 7900Y); the other is Suntory Chita Single Grain Whisky, €70 (approx 11300Y at today's rate). Could someone advise on the comparability of these prices , maybe from a Japanese site or supermarket?
Thanks for any input offered.
M

I can't check because I'm not there at the moment but perhaps you can get some info from the video below. It should be cheaper since I believe you can buy whiskey tax free as a tourist and you have significant VAT added in your country do you not?

thomas · 8 Apr 2025

Although the links below are a bit dated, the info is still relevant. At least they will show you where to dig further.

Where to buy Japanese whisky in Tokyo (maybe) - Nomunication

Mailbag time! Reader R.S. asks: “Hello Whiskey Richard, where can I buy bottles of Japanese whisky in Tokyo?” It’s a question I am asked quite often. Or sometimes I am asked more complicated ones, like “how can I source a case of Ichiro’s Malt” or “where can I buy Japanese whisky during a 5-hour...

www.nomunication.jp

9 best bottle shops and liquor stores in Tokyo

Looking for Japanese whisky, craft gin, beer or premium sake? These liquor shops in Tokyo have it all

www.timeout.com

johnnyG · 9 Apr 2025

J-popsy said:
... the other is Suntory Chita Single Grain Whisky, €70 (approx 11300Y at today's rate). ...

This at my local Yamaya, the bottom price in blue is tax included.

Hiroyuki Nagashima · 9 Apr 2025

You can probably check the standard prices of alcoholic beverages available in Japan on 'Shurui.com'.
酒類ドットコム

ウイスキー

響も竹鶴も山崎も人気の国産ウイスキー豊富にご用意しています。もちろん、アイラもスコッチもバーボンも。2026年5月〜、ご用意できるアイテムは、５００本以上。ロイヤルハウスホールドにマッカランに。超弩級の品揃え。ぜひぜひ御覧ください。酒類ドットコムの本気のラインナップです。

www.syurui.co.jp

A highly recommended spirit from Kyushu is 'Hyakunen no Kodoku'. If you're travelling to Japan, it's a great opportunity to experience shochu.
Hyakunen no Kodoku ("A Hundred Years of Solitude") - Premium Barley Shochu

Brewery: Kuroki Honten, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan
Type: Barley Shochu (Mugi Shochu)
Alcohol: 40%
Color: Amber
Aging: Aged in white oak barrels for over 3 years
Flavor Profile: Smoky, oaky aroma with hints of roasted barley, coconut, and a smooth finish reminiscent of whiskey
Recommended Servings: Straight, on the rocks, with water, or warm (oyu-wari)

Description:
Hyakunen no Kodoku is a premium, barrel-aged barley shochu crafted by Kuroki Honten in Miyazaki. Unlike traditional shochu, it features a rich amber color and complex flavor developed through years of aging in oak casks, offering a drinking experience similar to whiskey. Highly sought-after and limited in supply, it's often found at a premium price.

Shochu – Kuroki Honten

www.kurokihonten.co.jp

Majestic · 9 Apr 2025

J-popsy said:
sampling a few drams in some bars in the various places I'm visiting, from a mini tour of Kyushu , then back up to Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.

The envy I'm feeling right now....

(← green with envy, not from being sick).

If you have time, you could visit the Yamazaki distillery in Kyoto. I bet they have some good whiskies on sale that you might not be able to find in normal shops.

https://www.suntory.com/factory/yamazaki/?_ga=2.213790230.30243633.1702367775-848933959.1653280652

Also, a local Kyoto distillery is also doing tours.

Kyoto Shuzo | Whisky | Gin | Kyoto

Kyoto Miyako Distillery is located in Kyotamba-Cho. It is a peaceful town on the Tamba Highland and surrounded by mountains including Mt. Chorogatake.

kyotoshuzo.com

There are probably others, but these are the ones I could find with minimal effort. The Yamazaki site has a funky interface that kicks you back and forth between age authentication screens (i.e. I had to input my data twice because it seems the main Yamazaki site doesn't play nicely with the English Yamazaki site...anyway, I would love to take that tour).

J-popsy · 10 Apr 2025

Thanks for the input guys. That Chita has quite the price difference then... I thought I might try to include a visit to a distillery on Kyushu but unless they are in or near the cities I'm visiting, I'll need a hire car , which I'm considering for a day (though maybe not the best solution if a few drams will be sampled...).Thanks for the video links and Kyoto suggestions too!

J-popsy · 10 Apr 2025

It Iooks like the Suntory lottery window for May tours has closed. I'm sure I'll find another one .

Hiroyuki Nagashima · 11 Apr 2025

This is information regarding Japanese distilleries.

JWIC－ジャパニーズウイスキーインフォメーションセンター

ジャパニーズウイスキーインフォメーションセンター（JWIC）は、ウイスキーを中心とした蒸留所データや歴史など、ジャパニーズウイスキーに関する情報を網羅したサイトです。

jwic.jp

Bar お酒の美術館 / Bar Liquor Museum
"The 'Museum of Alcohol' is a franchise bar located in Kyoto that offers a unique experience where visitors can enjoy a variety of Japanese alcoholic beverages, such as whisky, sake, and shochu. Designed like a museum, the bar combines drinking with learning, showcasing the history, culture, and craftsmanship behind Japan's traditional and modern alcohol."

Bar お酒の美術館 / Bar Liquor Museum

#酒　#ウイスキー　#バー　#コンビニ　#飲み比べ　#ビンテージお酒の美術館は全国各地で展開している、「立ち飲みバー」です。お酒の美術館では、終売・休売のジャパニーズウイスキーをはじめ、国内外の希少なウイスキーやブランデーを多数ご用意。オールドボトルの品揃えは業界随一。一杯５００円と、リーズナブルな価格設定なのでいつでも気軽に立ち寄って、チャージも無料！カジュアルにサクッと飲んでいただけます。『世界のお酒をお手頃価格で』京都にあるプレミアムショップではボトルの販売も行っております。

www.youtube.com

This bar is a franchise, so it's not only in Kyoto but also in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Okinawa, and various other locations throughout Japan.

お酒の美術館

すべて京都大阪兵庫奈良三重東京千葉埼玉神奈川宮城愛知静岡広島福岡熊本長崎大分鹿児島沖縄※ライン公式アカウントはそれぞれの店舗(直営店)ごとによって別のアカウントとなっておりま...

osakeno-museum.com

Whisky - worth buying as tourist?

J-popsy

後輩

mdchachi

Moderator

thomas

Unswerving cyclist

Where to buy Japanese whisky in Tokyo (maybe) - Nomunication

9 best bottle shops and liquor stores in Tokyo

johnnyG

Sempai

Hiroyuki Nagashima

TAN

ウイスキー

Shochu – Kuroki Honten

Majestic

先輩

Kyoto Shuzo | Whisky | Gin | Kyoto

J-popsy

後輩

J-popsy

後輩

Hiroyuki Nagashima

TAN

JWIC－ジャパニーズウイスキーインフォメーションセンター

Bar お酒の美術館 / Bar Liquor Museum

お酒の美術館

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