Hello, fellow travel lovers!
This time, I'm introducing the Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery—a spot that’s sure to captivate not only whisky lovers, but also scenery enthusiasts! 🍀
About a 40-minute drive from central Sendai, you'll find striking red-brick buildings nestled in lush greenery!
It feels just like stumbling into a little village in Europe. ✨
- Surprise! This place is actually "Nikka 1-Banchi"!
- “Thank goodness I made a reservation!” — the adventure started with a little mix-up.
- Distillery Tour: Amazingly, it’s free— and far more in-depth than you'd expect!
- At last—the long-awaited 20-minute tasting time! 🎉
- This time, I was the designated driver… but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy it in my own way!
- Off to the shop—souvenir heaven awaits!
- 📝 Highlights & Recommendations
Surprise! This place is actually "Nikka 1-Banchi"!
Time for a little side chat ☕️
The address of this distillery is, believe it or not...
📮 1 Nikka, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
Isn't that just way too cool?
It totally gives off “King of Whisky” vibes. 🥃👑
And get this—they chose this spot before even checking out all the other candidates!
The reason? The river flowing through this area is called “Shinkawa” — but it’s pronounced…Nikkawa！😲
Now if that’s not fate, I don’t know what is! ✨
Makes you wanna shout, “Destiny!” (lol)
“Thank goodness I made a reservation!” — the adventure started with a little mix-up.
I said, “I have a reservation♪” at the front desk… and got hit with, “Hmm, we can’t seem to find it,” 😱— cue the cold sweat!
Turns out, I misread my 1:30 PM reservation as 1:00 PM and showed up early!
And on top of that, a big “Fully Booked” sign was up front and center!
But as if by magic, two spots opened up for the 1:00 PM tour right then and there! 🍀
“Feel free to join 😊” — divine hospitality and a miracle entry! ♡
Distillery Tour: Amazingly, it’s free— and far more in-depth than you'd expect!
First, a quick glimpse into whisky history in the waiting room. 📚
You get to dive deep into the journey of how whisky is born. ✨
See it, smell it, gaze outside and feel healed… this corner is basically sacred ground for whisky lovers!
When it's crafted with this much care… it tastes amazing before you even take a sip!
When the tour began, we moved to the theater room. 🎥
Here, we watched a 15-minute video diving into Nikka’s history and the passionate story of its founder, Masataka Taketsuru!
And then, the guided tour finally begins—time to explore!
It was blazing hot that day, but the kind offer of a parasol was such a thoughtful touch. ☂️
Here’s the tour route map of the Miyagikyo Distillery!
Deep breath by the reflecting pond—one of Miyagikyo’s most scenic spots.
A beautiful street lined with red-brick buildings. The absence of power lines? A testament to the founder’s unwavering commitment to aesthetics!
Koji? Miso? Bread dough? The fermentation room is filled with a strange but addictive aroma!
This is the heart of distillation! The sheer presence of the massive malt still is overwhelming.
Miyagikyo is perfect for aging whisky. This is the display warehouse for visitors—but the real ones are even more impressive!
At last—the long-awaited 20-minute tasting time! 🎉
After the tour, it’s time for the best part—tasting time! 💛
The lineup for the day was...
🥃 Miyagikyo Single Malt
🥃 Super Nikka
🍎 Apple Wine
...but!
This time, I was the designated driver… but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy it in my own way!
That’s right—I was on driving duty this time. 🚗💨
So, I had to hold back and skip the tasting!
But no worries 🙆♀️
I grabbed some snacks from the vending machine and sipped on sparkling water—channeling that “whisky vibe” in my own way!✨
Getting tipsy on vibes alone—that’s grown-up finesse, right? 😄
I’ll take my time back home, revisiting the experience with my souvenir mini bottles. 😉
Thoughtful touches for those who don’t drink, too.
✅ Shinkawa’s soft water (and yes, it’s genuinely delicious)
✅ Sparkling water made with Shinkawa’s soft water and juice are also available
✅ Snack vending machines? Also a win! 👍
Off to the shop—souvenir heaven awaits!
The tour wraps up with some shopping time ✨
Limited-edition bottles, tasting sets, and adorable mini goodies galore!
📝 Highlights & Recommendations
✅ Reservations are a must—tours often fill up!
✅ Free of charge (yes, really!)
✅ A 15-minute intro video makes it easy for beginners to enjoy
✅ Stunning architecture and scenery—perfect for photos
✅ The gift shop is packed with tempting goodies (beware of overbuying! 😄)
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
＊＊TabiJun＊＊
