5 Japanese Whisky Tastings to Check Out in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto
Travelling the Golden Route and looking for a guided whisky tasting? Here’s a brief guide to whisky tasting experiences in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, including my own tastings in Kyoto. They’re all quite different from each other, so choosing the right one for you depends on what you’re looking for in a tasting. Do you want to focus on the Suntory brands, or branch out and try some newer distilleries? Are you looking for single malts exclusively, or do you want to taste some blended whiskies as well? Or maybe you just want to drink a lot of whisky? Check out the list below and hopefully you’ll find something that works for you!
Tokyo
Japanese Whisky Hunting
Location: Tokyo
Duration: 2 hours
Whisky: 10 types (blended whisky, blended malt, single malt)
Price: Y16,480
Venue: Private venue
More details
If you want to drink a lot of whisky, this might be a good option. They offer about 10 types of whisky, including blended whiskies, blended malts, and single malts.
Japanese Whisky Tasting Experience at Local Bar in Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Duration: 2 hours
Whisky: 4-5 types (mostly single malt)
Price: Y41,400
Venue: Bar
More details
This tasting offers a selection of mostly Suntory whiskies, possibly including some with an age-statement.
Osaka
UMEDA Osaka: Love the Japanese Whisky Tasting Experience
Location: Osaka
Duration: 1 hour
Whisky: 4 types (single malt)
Price: Y14,000
Venue: Bar
More details
This whisky tasting experience offers a choice of 4 drams from a lineup of seven. The focus appears to be on single malts from newer distilleries, and there is the option to try more drams for an additional fee.
Kyoto
Invitation to Japanese Whisky: Exclusive Tasting Time
Location: Kyoto
Duration: 1.5 hours
Whisky: 4-5 types (blended malt, single malt)
Price: Y38,000
Venue: Bar
More details
This tasting offers a selection of 4-5 whiskies, mostly from the two major Japanese whisky producers, Suntory and Nikka.
Kyoto Whisky Tasting
Location: Kyoto
Duration: 1.5 hours
Whisky: 6 types (single malt)
Price: Y14,800
Venue: Private
More details
Small-group Japanese whisky tastings run by a Japanese-Aussie guy (me!). I offer a curated selection of 5 Japanese single malts covering both mainstream and newer distilleries. Each session also features a bonus dram, which is (availability permitting) usually a limited release that you’re unlikely to encounter again.
I have a Whisky Expert qualification from the Japan Whisky Research Centre, and I’m basically just an all round whisky nerd, so I can explain Japanese whisky in as much detail as you’d like, and answer any questions you might have. (Be warned, I can happily talk about whisky all day!)
My venue is located slightly off the beaten track, but who knows, it might be a good chance to explore a quieter, less tourist-oriented part of Kyoto!
More details can be find at the link above, but if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me.