Fuji Gotemba distillery
The Fuji Gotemba Distillery, built 620 meters above sea level at the foot of mount Fuji in 1972 by Kirin. Its elevation ensures that the distillery’s temperatures range only a few degrees higher than the Scottish distilleries keeping both aging rate and alcohol loss within normal levels. The distillery produces one single malt whisky released under two labels, the 18 year old Fuji Gotemba expression and the 24 & 18 year old blend (which carries the age statement of the youngest cask) called Fujisanrokuor “At the feet of Fuji”, along with three grain whiskies.
Fuji Gotemba factsheet
| Name | Pronounced | AKA | Region | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuji Gotemba | Shizuoka | Japan | ||
| Status | Active | Whisky Type | Website | Tours Available |
| Active | 1972 - Present | Malt, Grain | Fuji Gotemba | Tour Link |
| Manager | Distiller | Blender | Owned by | Parent Group |
| Takehiko Nohmib | Kirin Distillery Company |
Can I tour Fuji Gotemba?
Yes Fuji Gotemba distillery is tourable. On Trip Advisor the distillery has been rated as excellent by 16 of 65 tours to date. This gives Fuji Gotemba an overall rating of 4.0
Latest reviews
Dragged Here by Tour Company
by I Love Travel
The tour company took us on an unexpected, surprise visit to a distillery. Really, this is where I want to take my 12-year-old. In the spirit of learning about how things are made we watched the stupid movie and walked through the tour. None of the equipment was on so we really didn't get to see anything. Pretty much a waste of time. Beware of your tour company and unexpected visits to random places. If I liked whiskey it would be interesting but I don't. If it was a historically Japanese item like rice, chopsticks, even sake but nope, whiskey. I learned some stuff I had no interest in learning so I guess it was something. If my 12 year old needs to write a report on Japanese Whiskey he's got it covered.
Wonderful Visit
by Bertrand
We came to Gotemba using the train. 10:05 Kirin free shuttle picked us at the train station. We arrived there few minutes before our 10:30 tour. Signed up, got English audio device.We were invited to wait in a room before the tour where few trophies are on display. The tour started on time, very informative. It was in Japanese, but the guide was very helpful and let us know which section to listen on the audio guide.After the tour, the tasting... and the gift shop where you can buy whiskey, glasses, chocolates and other products.Very nice visit, we appreciate the efforts to make the tour accessible to non Japanese speakers.
Wonderful Free Tour and Tasting!
by Kathrine M
Though this tour is in Japanese, there is an English audio guide and information booklet. Our guide, Kobayashi-San was also excellent, she was very accommodating of the fact that we didn't speak any Japanese, extremely patient, and so friendly!This is a large distillery, so it's fascinating to see inside the production and bottling facilities.The whole tour lasted about 45 minutes, followed by a tasting session. The gift shop also has some great items, including unique glasses.
| Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|
| Excellent | 16 |
| Very good | 42 |
| Average | 5 |
| Poor | 1 |
| Terrible | 1 |