I stopped by Nikka Yoichi Distillery on my way back from Otaru to Niseko.
It is about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Sapporo.
Even though I had just had lunch, I decided to stop by for a quick visit.
Do You Need a Reservation?
The factory tour is free, but a reservation is required in advance.
Even without a reservation, you can still visit the shop and museum.
Souvenir Shop
The shop has a wide selection of whisky, apple wine, and unique souvenirs.
There were also chocolates in small wooden barrels, which looked really nice.
I didn’t plan to buy anything, but I couldn’t resist.
It was not crowded because I visited on a weekday.
However, it can get very busy on weekends.
What I Bought
I ended up buying two highball glasses and a bottle of whisky.
There were so many options that it was hard to choose.
Restaurant
There is also a restaurant inside the distillery.
It is usually very crowded on weekends, and there can be a long line.
I wanted to try it, but I had just eaten lunch, so I skipped it this time.
My Experience
Even without joining the tour, it was definitely worth visiting.
Next time, I would like to join the factory tour.
If you are visiting Yoichi, this is a great place to stop by.
