Nikka Whisky Sendai Factory Miyagikyo Distillery
Nikka Whisky Sendai Factory Miyagikyo Distillery
Nikka Whisky Sendai Factory Miyagikyo Distillery
4
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
MIYAGIKYO Distillery. The location was selected for whisky production because of its clean air, just the right humidity for storage, and abundant underground water filtered through a layer of peat. In Yoichi, Masataka Taketsuru saw numerous reminders of Scotland, and this convinced him that this should be the home of Japanese Whisky. The Miyagikyo Distillery is also in northern Japan, in Sendai (lat.38 N), Miyagi Prefecture, northern Honshu. Travelling in the area one day, Masataka came upon this site completely enclosed by mountains and sandwiched between two rivers. He immediately knew that this was the perfect site for whisky distilling. Sendai's fresh water, suitable humidity and crisp air produce soft and mild malt.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.0
323 reviews
Excellent
126
Very good
157
Average
33
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Justin Sendai
Sendai, Japan62 contributions
Dec 2020 • Solo
This is the second of only two Nikka distilleries in Japan. For over half a century, the brick warehouses tucked away in the mountains of Sakunami have been slow-aging the good stuff. Enjoy a tour, shopping, samples, and whisky bar. The train ride there offers nice views as well.
Written 22 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine J
20 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We didn’t book but managed to just get added to a tour - think they start every half hour. They gave us a QR code which enables us to get the explanations in English on our phone as guide only spoke Japanese. We found that worked really well and gave us a good understanding of the history and process. Some of the information boards also had English and we used Google Translate app if there were any others we wanted to read (with eSIM the Google translate can work off a photo really well).
Tasting at the end of 3 whiskies for everyone except driver, and then the opportunity to buy at the shop. Worth a visit.
Tasting at the end of 3 whiskies for everyone except driver, and then the opportunity to buy at the shop. Worth a visit.
Written 24 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Agent226
Toronto, Canada1,157 contributions
There is no entrance fee to go to the factory, however it is about a 1000 Yen bus ride to get to the factory from Sendai Station. They have tours that depart every hour. Please note that the tour is in Japanese, unless you are lucky enough to get an English speaker. You must do the tour, to get to the sampling area.
After the Whiskey tour, you arrive at the gift shop and Whiskey sampling area. You can try different ages of Whiskey, as well as Apple Whiskey (lovely).
They also give you a bucket of ice so you can add to your Whiskey as you please.
There is no limit to the amount of samples, however if you stay for more than an hour, or get too drunk, they will apologize that they have to kick you out.
After the Whiskey tour, you arrive at the gift shop and Whiskey sampling area. You can try different ages of Whiskey, as well as Apple Whiskey (lovely).
They also give you a bucket of ice so you can add to your Whiskey as you please.
There is no limit to the amount of samples, however if you stay for more than an hour, or get too drunk, they will apologize that they have to kick you out.
Written 15 November 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ozziepore
Melbourne, Australia832 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
I thought I would drop this line to anyone thinking of going to the Nikki factory near Sendai. I found lots of partial information before we went but nothing as specific as I would have liked. I use a walking stick so some of the options were not open to me (such as the 2.4 kilometre walk from Sakunami station).
So, if you want to get there with less walking, on a weekday (e.g., no shuttle bus) here is what to do
From Sendai Station, wait at bus stop number ten and take bus number 840 toward Sakunami Onsen. At the time of writing, the buses went at half past the hour (e.g, 11:30, 12:30 etc.). The bus trip is long (about an hour) and not that interesting, so you could take something to read.
Once on the bus you can read the screen at the front and keep an eye on station names, the Nikka factory stop does have a name and also an English advice message that this is where you get off for the NIkka factory. This is all good news because otherwise you look like you are getting off in the middle of nowhere. However there is a sign toward the NIkka factory, I just didn’t see it until I got off the bus. Follow that sign down the road and you can’t miss it, although even the walk into the factory is quite long for someone with a minor disability.
Once you get the to factory they have a list of all the train departure times from Sakunami (that is presuming you aren’t there on a weekend in which case there is the shuttle bus). Nothing I read online indicated the availability of taxis in the area, however they ARE available once you get there and the lady at the Nikka desk booked a taxi for us, even timing it to arrive at an appropriate time for the end of the tour plus shopping but in plenty of time to get to Sakanumi train station to catch the train back.
So that all worked perfectly for us. I won’t say more about the factory and tour, others have said it all. It was a nice day out and even more so as it was cherry blossom season and the place is quite beautiful at that time. Good luck in your whisky adventures.
So, if you want to get there with less walking, on a weekday (e.g., no shuttle bus) here is what to do
From Sendai Station, wait at bus stop number ten and take bus number 840 toward Sakunami Onsen. At the time of writing, the buses went at half past the hour (e.g, 11:30, 12:30 etc.). The bus trip is long (about an hour) and not that interesting, so you could take something to read.
Once on the bus you can read the screen at the front and keep an eye on station names, the Nikka factory stop does have a name and also an English advice message that this is where you get off for the NIkka factory. This is all good news because otherwise you look like you are getting off in the middle of nowhere. However there is a sign toward the NIkka factory, I just didn’t see it until I got off the bus. Follow that sign down the road and you can’t miss it, although even the walk into the factory is quite long for someone with a minor disability.
Once you get the to factory they have a list of all the train departure times from Sakunami (that is presuming you aren’t there on a weekend in which case there is the shuttle bus). Nothing I read online indicated the availability of taxis in the area, however they ARE available once you get there and the lady at the Nikka desk booked a taxi for us, even timing it to arrive at an appropriate time for the end of the tour plus shopping but in plenty of time to get to Sakanumi train station to catch the train back.
So that all worked perfectly for us. I won’t say more about the factory and tour, others have said it all. It was a nice day out and even more so as it was cherry blossom season and the place is quite beautiful at that time. Good luck in your whisky adventures.
Written 25 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seidenpriester
Luebeck, Germany310 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
I only gave three points, because ... it is time consuming to get there and it only interesting for whisky buffs. And even then it is only an average destillery ... Let me explain.
Getting there: The destillery can be reached by bus. The bus is starting at JR Sendai station. There is only one bus per hour and the bus takes over one hour itself. From the bus stop it takes another 10-15 minutes walk. There is also a train. But the closest train station (Sakunami) is 2,5km away from the destillery. --> Visiting the destillery really takes half a day.
The destillery: The history of Whisky in Japan startet with Suntory and Nikka. Miyagikyo is the second big destillery of Nikka after the main destillery in Yoichi. For that reason alone the destillery is a point of interest for everyone who is interested in japanese whisky.
The destillery provides a guided tour that does not require a reservation in advance. Big bonus point. After the tour you can sample 2 whisky free. For any additional dram you have to pay. They have a wide amout of Nikka whisky you can chose from. You can sample 21 year old whisky without the need to buy the whole expensive bottle or you can sample a whisky that you will not find in a bar or a store outside Japan. The price for a dram is really fair. Specially if you consider the prices of whisky in a japanese bar. The tasting is a big selling point to visit the destillery. And you can also by some "Destillery Edition" whisky that you only can purchase here at the destillery and nowhere elsse. Big point.
And now the reasons why I only give three points:
(1) The time to get there and getting back to Sendai. It really takes half a day. The visitor center closes at 4:30pm. So you need to take a bus before 1pm to have enough time for the guided tour (1h) and some tasting (at least 1h) and get back to the bus stop in time.
(2) The first impression of the distillery is not that remarkable. It looks like a factory. This is killing the mood a little bit.
(3) The tour is quite ok but it is a standard tour that you can get in every destillery. You do not visit the Malting area and the mash tuns are behind glass.
(4) Miyagikyo is the origin of the "Coffey Malt" and the "Coffey Grain". But the tour does not cover the coffey still itself from that these whisky are coming from. The show a picture in the advertisement video bu that's it. This, in my opinion, is a big letdown! The Coffey Whisky is (for me) the major thing that seperates Miyagikyo from the rest. -- Even if the coffey still looks like something that belongs into a chemical lab or a oil raffinery. If own both coffey whisky and a really hoped to see there origin.
Getting there: The destillery can be reached by bus. The bus is starting at JR Sendai station. There is only one bus per hour and the bus takes over one hour itself. From the bus stop it takes another 10-15 minutes walk. There is also a train. But the closest train station (Sakunami) is 2,5km away from the destillery. --> Visiting the destillery really takes half a day.
The destillery: The history of Whisky in Japan startet with Suntory and Nikka. Miyagikyo is the second big destillery of Nikka after the main destillery in Yoichi. For that reason alone the destillery is a point of interest for everyone who is interested in japanese whisky.
The destillery provides a guided tour that does not require a reservation in advance. Big bonus point. After the tour you can sample 2 whisky free. For any additional dram you have to pay. They have a wide amout of Nikka whisky you can chose from. You can sample 21 year old whisky without the need to buy the whole expensive bottle or you can sample a whisky that you will not find in a bar or a store outside Japan. The price for a dram is really fair. Specially if you consider the prices of whisky in a japanese bar. The tasting is a big selling point to visit the destillery. And you can also by some "Destillery Edition" whisky that you only can purchase here at the destillery and nowhere elsse. Big point.
And now the reasons why I only give three points:
(1) The time to get there and getting back to Sendai. It really takes half a day. The visitor center closes at 4:30pm. So you need to take a bus before 1pm to have enough time for the guided tour (1h) and some tasting (at least 1h) and get back to the bus stop in time.
(2) The first impression of the distillery is not that remarkable. It looks like a factory. This is killing the mood a little bit.
(3) The tour is quite ok but it is a standard tour that you can get in every destillery. You do not visit the Malting area and the mash tuns are behind glass.
(4) Miyagikyo is the origin of the "Coffey Malt" and the "Coffey Grain". But the tour does not cover the coffey still itself from that these whisky are coming from. The show a picture in the advertisement video bu that's it. This, in my opinion, is a big letdown! The Coffey Whisky is (for me) the major thing that seperates Miyagikyo from the rest. -- Even if the coffey still looks like something that belongs into a chemical lab or a oil raffinery. If own both coffey whisky and a really hoped to see there origin.
Written 6 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TomKXY
Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan166 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
The tour is in Japanese but they will provide a recording in English to follow along. The highlight of the tour of course is the tastings! Shuttle from Sakunami station and 3 generous glasses of high quality Nikka Whisky are provided (along with non alcoholic refreshments) free of charge. I highly recommend the tour. The paid samplers of aged whisky (including the award winning 17yr Takesuru blend) and the gift shop is reasonably priced.
Of course, as you'll be tasting alcoholic drinks the best way to travel is by train rather than bringing a sober driver. The JR line is convenient to Kita Sendai and Sendai stations but does not run very often (especially late in evenings or on Sundays or holidays). I do not recommend taking the last tour in the day as there will be a long wait at Sakunami station to return to the city.
Of course, as you'll be tasting alcoholic drinks the best way to travel is by train rather than bringing a sober driver. The JR line is convenient to Kita Sendai and Sendai stations but does not run very often (especially late in evenings or on Sundays or holidays). I do not recommend taking the last tour in the day as there will be a long wait at Sakunami station to return to the city.
Written 3 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
htodd503
Portland, OR74 contributions
Sept 2019
I understand how people are up and down about the factory tour. It's 40+ minutes on the train from Sendai and then if you're not there during the weekend you have another 30-40 minutes walking to get into the hall. I did it on a day where it was probably 33°C and I'd already gone to see Yamadera. The humidity in the area is oppressive, and one of the Japanese tourists told me the area was picked in part for the humidity and how it would help create a great whiskey.
Japanese tours can be a little cold. You have to look at things through windows and a lot of what goes on in a distillery is just looking at pipes and tanks. You don't even get to see the Coffey still, though they will point out the building. I've heard that the VIP tour gets to see a barrel being charred, but you have to be a VIP in the minds of Nikka Whiskey, not in your own mind.
The best part is after the tour. There's a small bar where you can get short pours of Nikka for very little money. Where else can you even find Taketsuru 12, 17, and 21 and when I went the short pour of 21 was only ¥500! There was even a special edition Taketsuru that was ¥7,000 for a very short pour and I was glad I tried it.
I'd recommend finding a non-driving way to get there so you can taste a little of everything. During the tour they tell you there's three types of Yoichi that they blend to make the single malt (it's my understanding that they sort the barrels into different flavor categories) and I had a taste of the Peaty and Salty was worth tasting on its own.
Just remember, it might seem long way to go but just going from Osaka to Kyoto is going to take you longer and to me those cities are right next to each other.
Japanese tours can be a little cold. You have to look at things through windows and a lot of what goes on in a distillery is just looking at pipes and tanks. You don't even get to see the Coffey still, though they will point out the building. I've heard that the VIP tour gets to see a barrel being charred, but you have to be a VIP in the minds of Nikka Whiskey, not in your own mind.
The best part is after the tour. There's a small bar where you can get short pours of Nikka for very little money. Where else can you even find Taketsuru 12, 17, and 21 and when I went the short pour of 21 was only ¥500! There was even a special edition Taketsuru that was ¥7,000 for a very short pour and I was glad I tried it.
I'd recommend finding a non-driving way to get there so you can taste a little of everything. During the tour they tell you there's three types of Yoichi that they blend to make the single malt (it's my understanding that they sort the barrels into different flavor categories) and I had a taste of the Peaty and Salty was worth tasting on its own.
Just remember, it might seem long way to go but just going from Osaka to Kyoto is going to take you longer and to me those cities are right next to each other.
Written 8 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew G
Adelaide, Australia33 contributions
Jan 2018
Free shuttle buses run to and from the near by train station! Well worth a visit if you're staying in Sendai. The whisky is delicious and the tour has english audio.
Written 28 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seven W
Washington DC, DC364 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
To book a tour for English, you have to call or fax. We just dropped in. If there're a big tour, you might not get in the tour.
From Sendai JR Station, you take a train, but some trains don't go all the way to JR Sakunami Station, so check the time table for the train before you go. Otherwise, you'll end up waiting for the connecting train for an hour like us. For weekdays, there're free shuttle from JR Sakunami Station to the distillery. You can also take a local bus, but you have to walk about 10min from the bus stop to the distillery. If you want to walk from JR Sakunami Station to the distillery, it'd take 20min.
The tour is basically in Japanese only. For English speakers, you need to get a recorded tour and play at each station for English explanation. All displays are Japanese. When we visited on mid-April weekend, as we're the only participants, we're in a private tour.
The biggest fun is free tasting at the end. We're provided 2 kinds of whiskies and an apple wine. They also offer tonic to mix with whiskey and cold tea/soda for free. If you want to try high quality whiskies, you can taste for a pay at the bar. At the shop, you can also purchase different kinds of whiskies. Whiskies at Narita Duty-Frees sell only premium Nikka whiskies only (think $500 a bottle). Super Nikka isn't available at Narita Duty-Frees.
From Sendai JR Station, you take a train, but some trains don't go all the way to JR Sakunami Station, so check the time table for the train before you go. Otherwise, you'll end up waiting for the connecting train for an hour like us. For weekdays, there're free shuttle from JR Sakunami Station to the distillery. You can also take a local bus, but you have to walk about 10min from the bus stop to the distillery. If you want to walk from JR Sakunami Station to the distillery, it'd take 20min.
The tour is basically in Japanese only. For English speakers, you need to get a recorded tour and play at each station for English explanation. All displays are Japanese. When we visited on mid-April weekend, as we're the only participants, we're in a private tour.
The biggest fun is free tasting at the end. We're provided 2 kinds of whiskies and an apple wine. They also offer tonic to mix with whiskey and cold tea/soda for free. If you want to try high quality whiskies, you can taste for a pay at the bar. At the shop, you can also purchase different kinds of whiskies. Whiskies at Narita Duty-Frees sell only premium Nikka whiskies only (think $500 a bottle). Super Nikka isn't available at Narita Duty-Frees.
Written 24 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tar T
Bangkok, Thailand6 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
It took 45 minute from jr sendai station (sendai station to sakunami station) , at sakunami station they provides free shuttle bus (4min to distillery).
Tour is free ( about 45-50min), after tour whiskey test (2type of whiskey and 1 type of apple wine).
There is a shop with many kind of whiskey.
Tour is free ( about 45-50min), after tour whiskey test (2type of whiskey and 1 type of apple wine).
There is a shop with many kind of whiskey.
Written 29 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If i were to take the free shuttle bus departing at 13:43 from Sakunami Station to Nikka Sendai, should I book the 14:00 or 14:30 free distillery tour ?
Is the free bus crowded on Saturday during November ?
Written 28 July 2019
Thank you for contact us.
If you make a reservation in advance at 14 o'clock, you will be in time.
If you are late, we will guide you at 14 o'clock.
November is a busy season, but the shuttle bus will return
please do not worry.
I am looking forward to seeing you.
Written 31 July 2019
Do they have a gift shop that i can purchase their whisky ? what time the gift shop open & close
Written 7 July 2019
Dear customer.
Thank you for contacting us.
Of course There is a shop in here. Shop are many distillery-limited whiskys.
The gift shop is open from 9:00 to 16:30.
We look forward.
Written 8 July 2019
TillyZingara
Melbourne, Australia
Is there any opportunity to store luggage at the Distillery during a tour, or at Sakunami station?
Written 15 July 2018
Welcome tily. There are not leave luggage at Sakonami station. However We available coin locker. I am looking forward to seeing you.
Written 19 July 2018
We’re heading to Sendai today to do this tour. Where do we find the free shuttle bus at the local train station please?
Written 29 March 2018
We’re heading to Sendai today to do this tour. Where do we find the free shuttle bus at the local train station please?
Written 29 March 2018
Thank you for contacting us.
Shuttle bus is only on weekends, so please come by taxi from Aiko station (about 30 minutes), or come on foot from JR Sakanami station (about 30 minutes).
Written 30 March 2018
Do I need a reservation for the tour? I will be going tomorrow and do not want to risk getting turned away
Written 27 February 2018
No need to book. Tours go every 15 minutes so if it’s busy you may need to wait for the next one. If you attend as a small group you can usually join the next tour rather than having to wait.
Written 27 February 2018
I will be driving myself, car pick up from Sendai Station. May I ask how long it takes for me to drive to visit your factory. Thank you:)
Written 13 April 2017
Dear Sir.
Thank you for contacting us.
It's takes about 40min by car.
We are waiting for your visit. Thank you.
Written 14 April 2017
Hi can I check with you how to get there from Sendai Station ?
thank you
Written 12 December 2015
Thank you for your inquiry our Distillery.
Please get off at Sakunami Station aboard the JR Senzan line from Sendai Station.
Change to the our shuttle bus.
Sakunami St'n→Miyagikyo Distillery Departure time
8:55 ／9:42 ／10:49 ／11:57 ／12:55 ／13:39 ／14:38
We are looking forward to see you.
Written 14 December 2015
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