[Tour Concept]

This guided tour takes you through “Gaiaflow Shizuoka Distillery,” a craft whiskey distillery nestled in the mountains of Shizuoka.

Surrounded by equipment rarely found anywhere else in the world and the distinctive scent of wood unique to Shizuoka, you’ll experience the whiskey-making process up close.

After the tour, you can sample Shizuoka single malt whiskey and imported whiskeys for a fee in the tasting room.

【Tour Details】

・A comprehensive tour of the distillery’s production areas

　‐ Staff will provide easy-to-understand explanations of each process, from malt preparation to fermentation, distillation, and aging

　‐ Get an up-close look at the stills relocated from the Karuizawa Distillery, fermentation tanks made of Japanese cedar, and wood-fired pot stills

・Maturation Cellar Tour

　‐ Enter the maturation cellar, where thousands of barrels rest, and experience the atmosphere of the whisky distillate maturing in Shizuoka’s climate

・Tasting (For a fee; optional)

　‐ After the tour, sample Single Malt Shizuoka distillate, imported whiskies, and spirits in the tasting room

　‐ Imported items can be purchased on-site (Tastings are not available for visitors who only shop in the store)

[Capacity]

・General Visitors: 1–20 people

・Private Cask Owners: 1–3 people (owner benefits included)

[Fees]

・Ages 20 and older: 1,100 yen (tax included) per person

・Under 20: Free (must be accompanied by a guardian aged 20 or older)

・Shizuoka Private Cask Owners + 2 companions: Free (tour fee only)

*Tastings are subject to an additional fee.

*For owners, there is a paid option to draw unblended whisky from their own cask in the dedicated aging cellar and taste and bottle it on the spot (advance reservation required).

[Duration]

・Tour: Approximately 60 minutes

・Tasting time: Up to 60 minutes

Estimated total: Approximately 120 minutes (Guests may leave at their convenience after the tasting)

[Hours]

・Weekdays: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, 1:45 PM–3:45 PM

・Weekends and Holidays: 9:30 AM–11:30 AM, 12:20 PM–2:20 PM, 3:00 PM–5:00 PM

*Check-in begins 30 minutes before the start of each session.

*Please note that some dates may be canceled due to circumstances. Please check the reservation site for the latest schedule and availability.

*Production is suspended on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, as well as during the summer (early August to late September), so you will not be able to observe the distillation process (though the tour itself will still be held).

*Wood-fired distillation is conducted only on weekdays during the production period (subject to change depending on circumstances).

[Access (Meet at the Distillery)]

・Approx. 60 minutes by local bus from JR Shizuoka Station

　‐ Take the Shizutetsu Just Line “Abe Line”

　‐ Get off at the “Okunohara-ue” bus stop; 1-minute walk

　‐ Or get off at the “Kamisuke” bus stop; 15-minute walk

　*Buses run infrequently, so please check the schedule in advance.

・By taxi or rental car from JR Shizuoka Station: About 45 minutes

・By car from Shin-Shizuoka IC on the Shin-Tomei Expressway: About 20 minutes

[Distillery Shop]

・Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

・You can purchase original bottles from the Shizuoka Distillery, imported whiskeys, merchandise, and more

・Tastings are limited to tour participants (not available to those visiting the shop only)

[Important Notes]

・There is no air conditioning inside the distillery, and temperatures may vary depending on the outside weather. Please dress appropriately for the season.

・There are stairs and steps on the premises, and the entire tour requires standing. Since wheelchairs are not permitted,

　visitors with mobility concerns must be accompanied by someone who can assist them.

・Guided tours are conducted in Japanese only (English guidebooks are available upon request at the reception desk).

・Bringing in food or beverages other than soft drinks is prohibited.

・Open flames and smoking are strictly prohibited in all areas of the premises.

・Pets are not allowed.

・Consumption of alcohol by those under 20 years of age and driving under the influence are prohibited. Alcohol will not be served to those who will be driving. [page:1]