Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery — Local services in Gotenba

Great place to visit if you're in the area and have a hour or two free. We tried to get a bus from Gotemba Station but we're advised by the local guides to take a taxi as the nearest stop was quite a way from the factory, the taxi was cheap enough at ¥2000 and we were there within 10 minutes from departing the station.

I think there are tours about every 30 minutes or so from 9 am to about 4:30 pm and are free, but if you have a big group its best to book in advance. The tour is spoken in Japanese but they provide you with an English language lamante, also a lot of the literature around the factory is in English to so you get the jist of what the guide is saying.

The tour lasts about an hour in total, with a 15 minute (English subtitled) film at the start about the history and process of the whisky made here, then you move on to the guided tour which is about 20-25 minutes. After the tour you are treated to a 20 minute sampling session where you can have up to two high balls free of charge. There is also a gift shop where you can purchase some of the whisky at a discounted price.

Well worth paying a visit, pleasent staff, great tour and...

Visiting the Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery was a fantastic experience! As a fan of Japanese whisky, this was a must-visit, and it didn’t disappoint.

Upon arrival, the staff greeted us and asked if we drove there. If you’re the driver, they’ll give you a wristband to indicate that you’re not allowed to drink any alcohol during the tour or tasting. It’s a thoughtful system to ensure safety, so drinkers, take note—plan accordingly or "ACT" accordingly!

The distillery offers a great selection of whiskies, including some exclusive Mt. Fuji whiskies at reasonable prices. The whisky tasting session was a highlight, allowing us to sample some of their finest offerings.

Overall, it’s a wonderful place for whisky enthusiasts or anyone interested in learning more about Japanese whisky. Highly recommend for a unique and enjoyable...

It's impressive tour, especially the video presentation in 3D effects! I didn't made reservation as this is last min planned visit. Took a taxi from Gotemba station, it cost around 2500 yen. When reach, immediately attended by the staff. Only English versions translation unit available. The staffs is helpful, try to answer all the questions. There are free tasting after the tour, you can also pay for the special products tasting include 25YO whisky. After the tour, there's free shuttle bus back to Gotemba station. Suggested place to drop by if u wanna know more about...