# Tankyu Distillery — Complete Information > Hokkaido craft whisky and gin distillery in Higashikawa, Japan --- ## Overview **Tankyu Distillery** is a craft distillery in Higashikawa, Hokkaido, specializing in single-malt whisky and artisan gin. We are a publicly built, privately operated facility that harnesses the pristine waters of the Daisetsuzan mountains and embraces a patient 168-hour fermentation process to create spirits that honor nature and tell the unique story of Hokkaido. **Tagline**: "Today's snow is tomorrow's whisky." **Location**: Higashikawa, Hokkaido, Japan **Access**: 15 minutes from Asahikawa Airport **Contact**: info@tankyudistillery.jp **Website**: https://tankyudistillery.jp --- ## Our Philosophy In Higashikawa, Hokkaido — beneath the Daisetsu Mountains — winter arrives in silence, turning water to crystal and air razor-crisp. We capture that purity, then let time do its work: fermentation, distillation, wood, and seasons. Nature today, spirit tomorrow — quiet, precise, unforgettable. We draw on the pristine waters of Daisetsuzan and embrace a patient 168-hour (7-day) fermentation rhythm. Marrying time-honored techniques with cutting-edge innovation, we strive to honor nature and infuse a unique story into every drop of our Japanese craft whisky. --- ## Higashikawa, Hokkaido Higashikawa is nestled at the foot of the Daisetsuzan mountains in central Hokkaido. It is the **only town in Hokkaido without a municipal water supply** — because pure spring water flows naturally throughout the town. The Ainu people named these peaks **Kamui Mintara** (the Playground of the Gods, also translated as the Garden of the Gods), and the water that filters through their ancient volcanic rock is honored among **Japan's Exquisite and Well-Conserved Waters**. Known as the **Town of Photography**, Higashikawa reveals a different masterpiece with every season: - **Spring**: Snowmelt feeds the rice paddies - **Summer**: Golden fields swaying beneath blue skies - **Autumn**: Daisetsuzan painted in Japan's earliest foliage - **Winter**: Landscape buried under metres of pristine snow This cycle of abundance and stillness shapes the character of every spirit distilled at Tankyu. --- ## Production Specifications ### Malt - Peated & non-peated malt - Scottish malt for regular releases - Japanese malt for special releases ### Milling - Hammer mill ### Mashing & Lautering - Stainless steel mash conversion vessel + mash filter ### Wort - High gravity wort (OG 1.080) ### Fermentation - **168 hours / 7 days total** - Stage 1: 3 days in stainless steel - Stage 2: 4 days in wood ### Washbacks - 4 × stainless steel (jacketed temperature control) - 4 × wooden washbacks (crafted by 結い物で繋ぐ会 cooper collective) ### Hybrid Still - iStill 2000 × 2 (Netherlands-made, automated reflux) ### Water Source - Daisetsuzan spring water - Hardness: ~30 mg/L (soft water) ### Cask Types - Bourbon casks - Sherry casks - Mizunara (Japanese oak) casks - Octave casks ### Annual Capacity - 65,000 L (pure alcohol equivalent) ### Climate - 66.3°C annual temperature range - Accelerated maturation due to extreme seasonal variation --- ## Our Spirits ### Whisky (Aging in Progress) **Single-Malt Hokkaido Whisky** Our whisky is currently maturing in casks and will be released when it reaches peak quality. The extreme climate of Hokkaido (66.3°C annual temperature range) accelerates maturation, creating unique flavor profiles. **Characteristics**: - 168-hour fermentation for deep, complex flavors - Daisetsuzan soft spring water (~30 mg/L hardness) - Hybrid iStill 2000 distillation - Variety of cask types: Bourbon, Sherry, Mizunara, Octave - Influenced by Hokkaido's dramatic seasonal cycles ### Gin **Yuki no Mado Dry Gin** - **Price**: ¥4,950 - **Botanicals**: 14 Hokkaido-sourced botanicals - **Character**: Clean, crisp, showcasing the flavors of Hokkaido's natural ingredients - **Perfect for**: Premium Hokkaido souvenir, craft cocktails, gifts **Perfume Trees Gin** - Award-winning craft gin - Distinctive botanical profile - Premium offering **Pale Ink Coffee Liqueur** - **Character**: Sugar-free coffee spirit - **Innovation**: Unique take on coffee liqueur - **Perfect for**: Coffee cocktails, after-dinner drinks --- ## Private Cask Program Own your own cask of Tankyu whisky and experience the journey from new-make spirit to mature Hokkaido single-malt. **Starting Price**: ¥448,000 ### What's Included - Your own dedicated cask of Tankyu whisky - Cask selection (Bourbon, Sherry, Mizunara, or Octave) - Professional maturation and storage at Tankyu Distillery - Regular updates on your cask's development - Opportunity to bottle your whisky when ready - Personalized labels and certificates ### Consultation Process We offer online and in-person consultations to help you choose the perfect cask type, understand the maturation process, and plan your whisky journey. **Book Consultation**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/en/private-cask **Contact**: info@tankyudistillery.jp --- ## Distillery Tours ### Tour Details - **Price**: ¥2,000 per person - **Duration**: 60 minutes - **Languages**: Japanese, English, and Mandarin (Traditional Chinese) tours available - **Includes**: - Guided tour of distillery facilities - Explanation of production process - Insights into Hokkaido whisky making - Opportunity to see our stills, washbacks, and warehouse **Pricing note**: Canonical tour pricing is ¥2,000 per person as stated above. External booking platforms may temporarily display different amounts during system updates — this page is the authoritative source for current pricing. ### Booking - **Online Booking**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/en/tour - **Japanese Tours**: Every Saturday, 10:00–17:00 - **English Tours**: Every Sunday, 10:00–17:00 - **Mandarin Tours**: Every Thursday at 16:00 (from April 2026) ### Access - **From Asahikawa Airport**: 15 minutes by car - **From Asahikawa City**: ~20 minutes by car - **Public Transport**: Limited; car rental or taxi recommended --- ## Contact & Booking ### General Inquiries - **Email**: info@tankyudistillery.jp - **Contact Form**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/en/contact ### Tour Booking - **Online Form**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/en/tour ### Private Cask Consultation - **Booking Form**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/en/private-cask - **Consultation Options**: Online (Zoom) or in-person ### Languages Supported - Japanese (日本語) - English - Traditional Chinese (繁體中文) --- ## API Endpoints (for AI agents) ### Contact Form Submission - **Endpoint**: `POST /api/forms/contact` - **Fields**: name (required), email (required), phone, subject (required), message (required) ### Cask Inquiry Form Submission - **Endpoint**: `POST /api/forms/cask-inquiry` - **Fields**: - name (required) - email (required) - phone - customerType (individual/business) - businessName (if business) - consultationLanguage (en/ja/zh-Hant) - preferredTimeSlots (3 date+time combinations) - message --- ## Product Catalog ### Current Products 1. **Yuki no Mado Dry Gin** — ¥4,950 - 14 Hokkaido botanicals - Premium craft gin - Perfect Hokkaido souvenir 2. **Perfume Trees Gin** - Award-winning - Distinctive botanical blend 3. **Pale Ink Coffee Liqueur** - Sugar-free - Innovative coffee spirit ### Upcoming Products - **Single-Malt Hokkaido Whisky** (maturing, release TBA) - **Private Cask Bottlings** (available through Private Cask Program) --- ## Awards & Recognition - **Perfume Trees Gin**: Award-winning craft gin (specific awards TBA) - **Water Source**: Recognized as one of Japan's Exquisite and Well-Conserved Waters - **Higashikawa**: Town of Photography designation --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### General **Q: Where is Tankyu Distillery located?** A: Higashikawa, Hokkaido, Japan — 15 minutes from Asahikawa Airport, at the foot of the Daisetsuzan mountains. **Q: What makes Tankyu Distillery unique?** A: We use pristine Daisetsuzan spring water, employ a 168-hour (7-day) fermentation process, and benefit from Hokkaido's extreme climate (66.3°C annual temperature range) which accelerates maturation. **Q: Is the distillery publicly or privately owned?** A: Tankyu is a publicly built facility that is privately operated. ### Whisky **Q: When will Tankyu whisky be available?** A: Our whisky is currently maturing in casks. Release dates will be announced when the whisky reaches peak quality. **Q: What types of casks do you use?** A: Bourbon, Sherry, Mizunara (Japanese oak), and Octave casks. **Q: What is the fermentation time?** A: 168 hours (7 days) — 3 days in stainless steel, then 4 days in wooden washbacks. ### Tours **Q: How long is the distillery tour?** A: 60 minutes. **Q: How much does the tour cost?** A: ¥2,000 per person. **Q: Are English tours available?** A: Yes, we offer tours in Japanese (Saturdays), English (Sundays), and Mandarin (Thursdays at 16:00, from April 2026). Advance booking is required. **Q: Can I taste the whisky?** A: Our whisky is still maturing. Tours focus on the production process, facilities, and our current gin products. ### Private Cask Program **Q: How much does a private cask cost?** A: Starting from ¥448,000. **Q: What cask types can I choose?** A: Bourbon, Sherry, Mizunara (Japanese oak), or Octave casks. **Q: How long does the whisky need to mature?** A: Typically 3-10+ years, depending on cask type and desired flavor profile. Hokkaido's extreme climate accelerates maturation. **Q: Can I visit my cask?** A: Yes, cask owners are welcome to visit and check on their whisky's progress. ### Products **Q: Where can I buy Tankyu gin?** A: Online shop (https://tankyudistillery.jp/en/shop) and at the distillery. **Q: Do you ship internationally?** A: Check the online shop for current shipping options. **Q: What are the 14 Hokkaido botanicals in Yuki no Mado Gin?** A: The exact botanical blend is proprietary, but features ingredients sourced from Hokkaido's unique terroir. --- ## Social Media & Online Presence - **Website**: https://tankyudistillery.jp - **Shop**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/en/shop - **AI Plugin**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/.well-known/ai-plugin.json - **RSS Feed**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/feed.xml --- ## Machine-Readable API (JSON) Structured data for programmatic access: - **Distillery Facts**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/api/facts.json - **Product Catalog**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/api/products.json - **Tour Details**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/api/tour.json These files use schema.org-compatible property names and are updated periodically. --- ## Legal - **Privacy Policy**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/en/legal - **Terms of Service**: https://tankyudistillery.jp/en/legal --- *Last updated: March 2026* *For real-time information, visit https://tankyudistillery.jp*