[2025 Sendai Attraction] Travel Guide for Nikka Whisky Sendai Factory (Updated Oct)

Miyagi Gorge Distillery is a very representative whiskey distillery in Sendai, Japan, hidden among the lush mountains and forests, surrounded by natural tranquility and fresh air, most suitable for travelers who like Japanese whiskey culture. Stepping into the distillery, you can gain an in-depth understanding of the history and brewing process of Nikka whiskey, and with a dedicated tour, it is truly a unique attraction that combines knowledge and taste. 🗓️ Recommended tour routes and arrangements First of all, remember to book a visit online in advance. Upon arrival on the day, you can join a guided tour of the distillery, a dedicated tour of the entire brewing process area, including raw material selection, distillation process and storage barrels. 🍶 Must-play items The most exciting thing was the twenty-minute tasting session during the visit. Whether you are a whiskey newbie or a veteran, you can slowly feel the aroma and taste unique to Nikka whiskey here. In addition to tasting the winery’s own branded wines, a guide will briefly explain the characteristics of the different styles to enrich the experience. 📸 Photo spot recommendations The main entrance archway of the distillery, the giant copper distiller, and the age-old oak wine barrel warehouse are all popular places for photography. The park is maintained very clean every day, plus the lush woods all around, it is super easy to take photos with a Japanese flavor. After the tasting, you might as well take a photo in the gift area and buy a whiskey as a souvenir. 🔎 Attraction tips 1. Visits must be booked online in advance. 2. Shuttle bus from the winery to the well station, there are not many daily services, remember to check the official timetable to avoid missing. 3. You are required to follow the tour guide when visiting. 4. Although people under 20 years old can visit, they cannot try whiskey, soft drinks are provided. 5. The gift shop sells a variety of Nikka drinks, souvenirs, some limited edition wines are only available on site. ⚠️Precautions The Miyagi Gorge Distillery is open year-round from 09:00 to 16:00, and last admission is recommended to be scheduled before 3pm. The winery has a small walking section, so it is recommended to wear light shoes. Also during wetter weather, parts of the park may be slippery, walk carefully. Topic: #Whiskey Trip #Sendai Day Trip #Japanese Distillery Exploration #Nikka Miyagi Gorge #Liquor Culture Experience

#AugustDestinations2025 Located in a valley outside Sendai City, the Miyagikyo Distillery is the second distillery established by Taketsuru Masataka, the father of Japanese whisky, in 1969. Unlike the robust flavors of Yoichi whiskies, Miyagikyo utilizes the clear waters of the Hirose River and the humid valley environment to produce whiskies with softer, more delicate floral and fruity aromas. The distillery blends red brick buildings with lush greenery. Guided tours take visitors through pot stills, continuous coffey stills, and aging warehouses, offering a deeper understanding of the production process. Finally, guests can enjoy a tasting of popular whiskies, including Miyagikyo single malt, Super Nikka, and Nikka cider, allowing them to compare the different styles. 🚋 From Sendai Station, take the JR to Sakunami Station, where you can transfer to a shuttle bus for approximately 40 minutes. The scenery here is stunning year-round: lush greenery in spring and summer, vibrant red leaves in autumn, and blanketed in snow in winter. This dream distillery is a must-visit for whisky lovers and travelers alike. 🏷️ #MiyagikyoDistillery #NikkaWhisky #SendaiTravel #JapaneseWhisky #Sakunanami

#AugustDestinations2025 📍Located in a verdant valley outside Sendai, the Nikka Miyagikyo Distillery is the second distillery established by whisky creator Masataka Taketsuru in 1969. The fresh air and pure water here are considered ideal for producing delicate, smooth whiskies. A free guided tour (reservations required) will take you through the red brick building, pot stills, continuous coffey stills, and aging warehouses, offering a comprehensive understanding of the whisky-making process. Finally, the most anticipated experience is the "tasting experience"! Three free tastings 🍷 After the tour, each participant will receive three free tastings (excluding drivers): 1️⃣ Nikka Apple Wine: Slightly sweet and fruity, with a refreshing finish. 2️⃣ Super Nikka: A blended whisky with notes of wood and chocolate. 3️⃣ Single Malt Miyagikyo: With its soft, floral and fruity aromas, delicate and elegant, it's a signature product of this distillery. We'll also thoughtfully provide ice and sparkling water on-site, allowing you to freely mix your highball and enjoy a variety of flavors! Getting There 🚉 • Take the JR train from Sendai Station to Sakunami Station, approximately 40 minutes. A free shuttle bus runs from the station to the distillery (subject to schedule). • Alternatively, you can drive there, which takes approximately 40 minutes, but ⚠️ drivers are prohibited from consuming alcohol. 🌟 Note: Tours must be booked online in advance, and spots fill up quickly on weekends, so plan ahead! Enjoying a glass of Miyagikyo's floral and fruity wine amidst a forest valley is truly a must-see experience near Sendai. 🏷️ #MiyagikyoDistillery #NikkaWhisky #SendaiSuburbs #JapaneseWhiskyTravel #FreeTasting

We took a 50-minute rental car tour from Sendai Station to the Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Factory. The tour took about 70 minutes, and included an explanation of the construction process and a tasting at the end, making it a fantastic experience. As I was the driver, we had a non-alcoholic drink, but the carbonated water made with underground water from the Shinkawa River used to make the whiskey was so delicious that I had to have several refills. The guide's explanations of the factory were easy to understand, making this a highly recommended spot.

#Hydrangea Located in a lush valley in western Sendai, the Miyagikyo Distillery was founded in 1969 by Masataka Taketsuru. Located at the confluence of the Hirose and Shinkawa Rivers, the site offers clear water and moist air, ideal for whisky maturation. The distillery preserves the pristine terrain and forest, and its red brick buildings complement the surrounding natural environment beautifully. Every early summer, the park's trails and surroundings are ablaze with softly colored hydrangeas. The blue, purple, and pink blossoms stand out against the deep green backdrop, adding a romantic touch to this artisanal whisky mecca. Whether you enjoy a guided tour, tasting Miyagikyo's soft, fruity single malt, or simply strolling amidst the blossoms, you can experience the fusion of distillery craftsmanship and the beauty of the four seasons. #Miyagikyo Distillery #Hydrangea #SendaiTravel #Whiskey #Nikka #JapaneseFlowerScenery

Our visit to the Nikka Whisky Sendai Factory was honestly one of the most memorable stops of our trip. The whole family—yes, even the kids—enjoyed the experience thoroughly, despite it being a whisky factory! The factory grounds were beautiful, with a surprisingly enchanting garden nestled right in the middle, making the place feel more like a peaceful retreat than a production site. The blend of nature and tradition made for such a calm and refreshing atmosphere. We joined the guided factory tour, which turned out to be both educational and engaging. We learned all about the history of the Nikka brand, the founder’s story, and the meticulous process of whisky making. From selecting the water source to barrel aging, every detail was thoughtfully explained. You don’t need to be a whisky connoisseur to enjoy it—just a little curiosity is enough. Of course, the highlight for the adults was the free whisky tasting session at the end (drivers and kids excluded, of course). It was a fun and relaxing way to wrap up the tour, and it gave us the chance to sample a few of their signature expressions. If you’re around the Sendai area, I’d strongly recommend carving out time for this. Whether you’re a whisky fan or just someone who appreciates a well-run attraction with history, craft, and a bit of indulgence, this place is well worth the visit. #summervacay #NikkaWhisky #SendaiExperience #MiyagikyoDistillery #WhiskyTastingJapan #FamilyDayOut #HiddenGemTohoku #NikkaTour #JapaneseWhisky #SendaiTrip #WhiskyWithAStory #japan #japantrip #tohoku #tohokutrip #travel

I visited the Nikka Miyagikyo Distillery at noon today. It was a great experience! The distillery is hidden in the forest valley outside Sendai. The red brick buildings are matched with swans on the small lake. The environment is beautiful like a painting. The free guided tour takes one hour. From malt drying to distillation workshop, the strong caramel aroma and oak barrel aroma are overwhelming. In the warehouse, you can also compare the smell of original wines of different years - five years of fresh fruity aroma, twelve years of mellow to the top. The best part is the tasting session! Three cups of sincerity: the sweet and sour apple cider is as smooth as juice, and it is more refreshing with soda water; Super Nikka blended whiskey has a bit of smokiness, suitable for ice; the finale Miyagikyo single malt is full of fruity aroma, warm and not spicy, and I instantly understand why it can become a signature. The tour guide also kindly gave a note of drinking tips, full marks for details! Before leaving, I found that the price of the limited edition was only 1/3 of the market price, so I stocked up two bottles decisively. The only regret is that the transportation is a bit troublesome. You have to wait for the shuttle bus (only available on weekends) after taking the JR from Sendai to Sakunami Station. It is recommended to drive or carpool. Overall, even if you are not a drunkard, you will be impressed by the historical sense and natural atmosphere here. Mr. Taketsuru has a sharp eye for location selection! #雪景

One of the recommended places in Sendai where you can also do tastings is the Nikka Whisky Co., Ltd. Sendai Factory Miyagikyo Distillery. The general tour is held every 30 minutes from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm (a total of about 70 minutes including a distillery tour (50 minutes) and a free tasting (maximum 20 minutes)). You can learn about the aged charm of Nikka Whisky through the guide's explanations. ☺️ You must make a reservation on the website to visit the factory. At the end of the general tour, you can sample Nikka Whisky (3 types). After the tasting, you can purchase products exclusive to the Miyagikyo Factory at the shop. You can also enjoy a drink at the attached bar. Even if you do not take a factory tour, you can use the shop and bar. For those using public transportation, a free shuttle bus runs from JR Sakunami Station to Miyagikyo Distillery (check the operating hours). Approximately 1.8km from JR Sakunami Station Approx. 260m from Nikkabashi bus stop Nikka Whisky Co., Ltd. Sendai Factory Miyagikyo Distillery 1 Nikka, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture 989-3433 #Miyagi #MiyagiTrip #MiyagiTourism #Sendai #SendaiTrip #SendaiTourism #Whisky #FactoryTour #Sakunami #DomesticTravelRecord

I went to a whiskey factory in Sendai! It was really cold when I got there! And there was a slight smell!! If you join a tour-like thing for about 500 yen, you can compare different whiskeys at the end!! Even though I don't like alcohol, it was delicious!! The apple-flavored whiskey was really easy to drink! It was really impressive and interesting to see how it's made, the machines, etc.! #0yentrip

Visited in April 2023 *Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery 1 Nikka, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture 989-3433 When it comes to whiskey, it's famous Nikka Whisky🥃 At Nikka's Miyagikyo Distillery You can enjoy a free tour of the distillery😊 On the guided tour, the guide will explain the manufacturing process of whiskey and the history of Nikka At the end, you can even enjoy a free tasting‼ ️ Reservations are required in advance, so we recommend that you make a reservation early once the date is decided✨ #Domestic travel #Miyagi #Miyagikyo #Factory tour #Nikka whiskey #Miyagi trip

Nikka Whiskey Factory🥃This place is like a museum. Activities include tours ⇒ free tasting ⇒ shopping. There will be a guided tour to introduce the history of the factory and production methods. I must say that it is very enjoyable. You can also taste for free. There are also many souvenirs that are very outstanding. For those who are looking for activities, we recommend this place. You can visit for free. Tour service hours: 9:00-11:30, 12:30-15:30 The time it takes is about 45 minutes per round. #Japan #TravelJapan #yamagata