Asahikawa · Higashikawa · Biei · Furano
A Distillery Tour 15 Minutes from Asahikawa Airport
Land at Asahikawa Airport and you are closer to a working whisky and craft gin distillery than to most of Hokkaido's famous sights. Tankyu sits in Higashikawa, right on the Biei–Furano route.
Book a tourThe easiest distillery stop in central Hokkaido
Most travellers reach the Daisetsuzan region through Asahikawa Airport (AKJ) — the gateway to Biei's rolling hills, the lavender fields of Furano, and Asahiyama Zoo. Tankyu Distillery is just 15 minutes from the airport by car, in the town of Higashikawa, so a distillery visit slots neatly into a day you are already spending in the area.
Because the tour is reservation-based and indoors, it also makes a reliable rainy-day or winter plan when outdoor sightseeing is washed out. A 60-minute guided tour walks you from spring water and fermentation through distillation and maturation, finishing with a tasting of our Yuki no Mado craft gin.
Higashikawa draws its water from the natural underground flow of the Daisetsuzan range — the reason it is one of the few towns in Japan with no municipal water system. That water is why the distillery is here, and tasting it is part of the tour.
Why build your day around it
15 minutes from the airport
Tankyu is a short, signposted drive from Asahikawa Airport — no detour, no long transfer. Easy to fit in before or after a flight.
On the Biei–Furano route
The distillery sits between Higashikawa, Biei, and Furano, linking naturally with the lavender fields, the Blue Pond, and the patchwork hills.
Good in any weather
The guided tour is indoors and by reservation — a dependable plan on rainy days or in deep winter when other sights close.
A model day from Asahikawa Airport
One easy way to weave the distillery into a classic central-Hokkaido drive.
- Arrival
Asahikawa Airport (AKJ)
Pick up a rental car at the airport. Tankyu is about 15 minutes away by road.
- Morning
Biei
Detour through Biei's patchwork hills and the Blue Pond before lunch in town.
- Afternoon
Tankyu Distillery, Higashikawa
Your reserved 60-minute tour: fermentation, distillation, maturation, and a Yuki no Mado gin tasting. Pick up souvenir bottles on the way out.
- Evening
Furano
Continue south to Furano's lavender fields and farm restaurants, or loop back toward Asahikawa city.
Getting Here
Nishi 2-go Kita 23, Higashikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido 071-1402
Tankyu Distillery is located at Nishi 2-go Kita 23, Higashikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido 071-1402, at the foot of Daisetsuzan National Park and the gateway to Mt. Asahidake and Tenninkyo Gorge.
We are approximately 10 minutes by car from Asahikawa Airport (AKJ), 35 minutes from JR Asahikawa Station, 20 minutes from Shirogane Blue Pond in Biei, 50 minutes from Farm Tomita in Furano, and around 3 hours from New Chitose Airport via the Lilac or Kamui limited express train. Asahiyama Zoo is about 30 minutes north in Asahikawa.
Free on-site parking for up to 10 cars is available. For public transport, take the Higashikawa-sen bus from JR Asahikawa Station to Higashikawa-Higashimachi 4-chome (approx. 40 min) followed by a 30-minute walk. Please note: walking is not recommended in winter (December–March) due to snow and ice — we suggest arriving by car or taxi during these months.
Book Your Visit
Select your preferred date and time online. Trilingual tours available (Japanese, English & Mandarin).
- Address:
- 23 Kita, Nishi 2-go, Higashikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido 071-1402
- Hours:
- Daily 10:00–17:00
- Distillery Tour:
- Thu (Mandarin) · Sat (Japanese) · Sun (English)
- Fee:
- Discover Tour — ¥2,000 per person (tax included)
- Duration:
- Approx. 60 minutes
- Booking:
- Online by 23:59 the day before
- Parking:
- Free (up to 10 vehicles)
- Liquor License:
- 旭東法第294号
- Direct contact:
- info@tankyudistillery.jp / +81-80-2554-7335
How to Book
- Choose your preferred date and tour language (Japanese, English or Mandarin)
- Select an available time slot and the number of guests
- Confirm your booking — you will receive a confirmation email
Japanese tours run every Saturday, English tours every Sunday, 10:00–17:00 JST. Mandarin tours every Thursday at 16:00. Advance booking required by 23:59 the day before.
Prefer to book directly? Email info@tankyudistillery.jp or call +81-80-2554-7335.
Can't find a timeslot that works for you? Email us at info@tankyudistillery.jp and we'll do our best to accommodate.
You will be directed to our external booking site
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