Japan Trip - Suntory Hakushu Distillery

Suntory Hakushu Distillery is in Yamanashi prefecture.
It takes 2 hours from Shinjuku, Tokyo, to Kobuchizawa station (closest station to Hakushu Distillery) by train.

We got Ekiben (Bento Box sold at station) and enjoyed them with the beautiful autumn color view from the window.

 I chose Chicken and Mushroom Bento, and JC chose Beef Bento.

Kobuchizawa is a small station but it's easy to find a taxi.
 After 10 minute ride, we found the Suntory Distillery in the forest.

Their tour takes about one and a half hour: it started from its history, then the guide explained the every single step of whisky production.

Mash Tun, where the grains are cooked

This is where fermentation occurs. They use natural yeast exclusively.

Two kinds of pot still

Then the whisky is aged in wooden barrels.
The whisky evaporates during the ageing. This is called Angel's Share.

The left side is aged for 4 years, the right barrel is aged for 12 years.
It seems like that angels took their shares.

The tour was concluded with tasting.

We learned how to make a good highball, too.

It's close enough to make a day trip from Tokyo, or it's fun to stay Onsen hotel nearby and visit Katsunuma wine region (just one hour train ride from Kobuchizawa) next day, which we did.
If you drive, you won't get to taste, not even a sip. They are really strict.