Sakurao Distillery: Hiroshima's Craft Whisky on the Rise
Quick Takeaway
- Heritage: Sakurao Distillery is the whisky operation of Sakurao Brewery and Distillery (formerly Chugoku Jozo), a Hiroshima company founded in 1918 that has been making sake, shochu, and spirits for over a century.
- What makes it different: Two maturation environments from one distillery. Sakurao brand whisky ages by the Seto Inland Sea. Togouchi brand ages in a former railway tunnel in the Chugoku Mountains.
- Flagship: Sakurao Single Malt at 43% ABV is the core expression. Fresh, coastal, and JSLMA compliant.
- Important distinction: All current Sakurao and Togouchi products are genuine Japanese whisky. The Togouchi blended line was reformulated in 2024 to use only whisky distilled at Sakurao Distillery, replacing the earlier versions that used imported stock.
- Visiting: Tours available at the Sakurao distillery in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima. The Visitor Center faces Miyajima, one of Japan’s most famous views.
A Century of Brewing, a Decade of Whisky
The story of Sakurao Distillery begins long before whisky.
Chugoku Jozo was established on October 8, 1918 as Chugoku Shurui Jozo, a limited partnership in the town of Sakurao in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. For its first decades, the company focused on sake and shochu. In 1938, it reorganized as a joint stock corporation and was renamed Chugoku Jozo Co., Ltd. That same year, the company began whisky production for the first time.
Whisky remained part of the operation until 1989, when Chugoku Jozo halted distillation. The reasons were pragmatic. Domestic whisky consumption in Japan had been declining since its peak in the early 1980s, and smaller producers like Chugoku Jozo were hit hardest.
In 2003, the company returned to the whisky world with a creative workaround. They released Togouchi, a blended whisky that used imported Scottish malt and Canadian grain whisky, aged in a remarkable location: a former JR (Japan Railways) tunnel running through the Chugoku Mountains. The tunnel’s naturally cool, stable temperature created ideal aging conditions. Togouchi built a following, but because it was blended from imported stock, it could not qualify as Japanese whisky under the JSLMA standards that would eventually come. (This changed in 2024, when the blended line was reformulated to use only whisky distilled at Sakurao Distillery.)
The real shift came in 2017. To mark the company’s approaching centennial, Chugoku Jozo built a new purpose built distillery on the company’s existing property in Sakurao, directly on the shore of the Seto Inland Sea. The Sakurao distillery was designed for both gin and whisky production from the start.
In 2018, the 100th anniversary year, the distillery launched Sakurao Gin Original and Sakurao Gin Limited, both made entirely from Hiroshima sourced botanicals. The gins were an immediate success. Sakurao Gin Limited won a Gold Outstanding at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in 2018, putting the distillery on the international map before a single drop of whisky had been released.
In March 2021, the company renamed itself Sakurao Brewery and Distillery Co., Ltd. to reflect its new identity. The same year, the first single malt whiskies finally arrived: Sakurao and Togouchi, both produced entirely at the Sakurao Distillery.
Two Brands, Two Environments
What makes Sakurao’s approach unusual is the dual maturation concept. The same distillery produces the spirit, but two very different warehouses shape the final whisky.
Sakurao: Seaside Aging
The Sakurao brand matures in the distillery’s warehouse at the coast, overlooking the Seto Inland Sea with Miyajima visible across the water. The maritime air imparts a subtle salinity to the casks. Multiple reviewers on r/JapaneseWhisky describe Sakurao Single Malt as having a “coastal” quality similar to Old Pulteney, with one noting it is “interesting if you like a coastal type of whisky.”
The seaside warehouse experiences the full temperature range of Hiroshima’s climate: warm, humid summers and cool winters. This seasonal swing drives active cask interaction and relatively fast maturation for a young whisky. (For more on how environment shapes Japanese whisky, see our barrels and aging guide.)
Togouchi: Tunnel Aging
The Togouchi brand matures in the old railway tunnel deep in the Chugoku Mountains. The tunnel maintains a naturally cool, stable temperature year round, creating the opposite maturation profile from the seaside warehouse. Where Sakurao is active and dynamic, the tunnel aging is slow and gradual, producing a lighter, smoother character.
This is not just marketing. The Togouchi tunnel has been used for aging whisky since the early 2000s (originally for the blended Togouchi line) and the conditions genuinely differ from standard warehouse storage. The cool, humid environment slows evaporation and softens the spirit over time.
The Distillery
The Sakurao Distillery sits at 1-12-1 Sakurao, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, directly on the waterfront. The Itsukushima Shrine torii gate on Miyajima is visible from the property.
The distillery produces both malt and grain whisky. In 2019, a second construction phase added grain whisky distillation equipment and additional whisky warehousing. A third expansion followed in 2021. The pace of development has been noted by industry observers; Nomunication described the rate of growth as “quite shocking” during a visit.
For gin production, the distillery uses a Holstein still and sources botanicals from Hiroshima Prefecture, including citrus, oyster shells, and cherry blossoms, alongside imported botanicals like juniper berries and coriander seed. The gin operation is not just a side project; it was the vehicle that funded and justified the whisky ambitions.
Master distiller Taihei Yamamoto oversees production. According to the Whisky Monkeys review, Yamamoto uses specially calibrated stills to produce a soft, supple spirit. The distillery ages its whisky in four cask types: ex bourbon barrels, new American oak, sherry casks, and Japanese mizunara.
The Whisky Lineup
Sakurao Single Malt
Chugoku Jozo
Sakurao Single Malt
The flagship expression. A 43% ABV single malt matured for at least three years in the seaside Sakurao warehouse, using a combination of four cask types.
Nose: Raisins, oranges, peaches, with a subtle coastal note from the seaside maturation.
Palate: Sweet vanilla with moderate bitterness and sourness. Light to medium bodied.
Finish: Smoky barrel fragrance with a long, deep, sweet aftertaste.
Community reception has been positive for a distillery this young. Redditors on r/JapaneseWhisky describe it as having “nice malty notes with a hint of brine” and being “impressive given its age.” One commenter called it a “coastal type of whisky” and noted it is “100% real” Japanese whisky and only available in Japan (though international distribution has expanded through retailers like Dekanta and specialist importers).
The Whisky Monkeys review described it as “balanced from A to Z” and a “perfect introduction to Eastern drams,” praising the reasonable price for a genuine Japanese single malt. The consensus view is that this is a well made, approachable whisky that does not pretend to be older than it is.
A 1st Release Cask Strength version won Gold at the IWSC, with tasting notes describing “an earthy style of malt with savoury peat to the fore.”
Togouchi Blended Range (Reformulated, Now JSLMA Compliant)
It is worth understanding the history here. Until 2024, the Togouchi blended whiskies used imported Scottish malt and Canadian grain whisky. In 2024, Sakurao reformulated the entire Togouchi blended lineup to use only whisky distilled at Sakurao Distillery, relaunching it as “Blended Japanese Whisky Togouchi” in compliance with JSLMA standards.
Togouchi Premium is now a blended Japanese whisky at 40% ABV, combining malt and grain whisky from Sakurao Distillery. The official tasting notes describe nuts and fruit on the nose, vanilla and milk chocolate sweetness on the palate, and a woody aftertaste.
The current lineup also includes cask finish variants: Sake Cask Finish, Beer Cask Finish, and Peated Cask Finish, all JSLMA compliant.
Note: The old Togouchi 8 Year Old (which used imported stock) has been discontinued and not replaced. If you encounter older bottles of Togouchi blended whisky with the pre-2024 labeling, those still contain imported whisky.
Togouchi Single Malt (JSLMA Compliant)
Released in 2021 alongside the Sakurao Single Malt, this is the genuine article: whisky distilled at Sakurao Distillery and matured in the Togouchi tunnel. At 43% ABV, reviewers on r/worldwhisky describe it as having a “very pleasant, summery vibe” with pears on the nose and palate, white peach, and a “nicely balanced” profile. The tunnel aging creates a lighter, fruitier character compared to the coastal Sakurao expression.
This product is not in our database yet, but it is worth tracking as a separate expression from the blended Togouchi line.
Limited and Special Releases
Sakurao has been active with limited editions:
- Sakurao Sherry Cask (Hiroshige Collection): A recent release that received strong marks. One r/JapaneseWhisky reviewer called it “layered, good complexity, juicy and was overall very tasty.”
- Sakurao Visitor Center Limited Edition: Won Silver at the World Whiskies Awards.
- Sakurao Beer Cask Finish and Sake Cask Finish: Experimental releases that showcase the distillery’s willingness to play with unconventional cask types. Reddit users noted the sake cask finish and beer cask finish as interesting.
The Sakurao Gin Connection
You cannot tell the Sakurao story without the gin. Sakurao Gin was the product that announced this distillery to the world in 2018, before the whisky was ready.
Sakurao Gin Original uses nine botanicals from Hiroshima plus five imported botanicals (including juniper berries and coriander seed), for 14 in total. Sakurao Gin Limited uses 17 specially selected Hiroshima botanicals. Both are made with traditional English distillation methods using citrus, oyster shells from the Seto Inland Sea, and cherry blossoms (sakura, which gives the distillery its name).
The Gin Limited won Gold Outstanding at the IWSC in 2018, a result that drew attention to a company most people outside Japan had never heard of. The gin revenue and reputation helped finance the whisky operation during the years it took for the first casks to mature.
Visiting Sakurao Distillery
The Sakurao distillery welcomes visitors and offers guided tours of the production facilities. Here is what you need to know:
Location: 1-12-1 Sakurao, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 738-8602, Japan. The distillery sits on the coast, a short trip from central Hiroshima and an easy day trip combined with Miyajima.
What you will see: The distillery tour covers the gin and whisky production areas, including the stills, fermentation vessels, and maturation warehouses. Touch panel displays introduce the botanicals used in gin production, and visitors can handle the raw materials.
Tasting: Post tour tastings include whisky and gin, with options for limited edition products available at the Visitor Center.
Visitor Center: Open on the ground floor of the main building. Sells exclusive releases, Sakurao spirits, and original merchandise.
Booking: Tours can be reserved through the Sakurao Distillery reservation site (revn.jp). Slots fill up, especially on weekends, so book in advance.
Getting there: Hatsukaichi is about 20 minutes southwest of Hiroshima Station by JR Sanyo Line. The distillery is within walking distance of Sakurao Station. If you are visiting Miyajima (and you should), the Miyajimaguchi ferry terminal is just two stations away. Combining the distillery with a Miyajima day trip is one of the best whisky tourism itineraries in Japan outside the Yamazaki/Hakushu corridor. For more on planning a whisky trip, see our distillery tours guide and buying whisky in Japan.
Where Sakurao Fits in the Japanese Whisky Landscape
Sakurao belongs to the generation of craft distilleries that began production in the late 2010s, alongside Kanosuke (2017), Asaka (2016), and others. What sets it apart:
Dual maturation sites. No other Japanese distillery offers two such distinctly different aging environments for the same distillery’s spirit. The seaside and tunnel maturation create genuinely different flavor profiles.
Gin as launchpad. While most new whisky distilleries wait years for revenue, Sakurao used craft gin to build its brand and finances while the whisky matured. This was a smart strategy that more new distilleries are now copying.
Century of brewing heritage. Unlike many craft distilleries that are startup operations, Sakurao (through Chugoku Jozo) brings over 100 years of fermentation and distillation experience. Their decision to reformulate the Togouchi blended range for full JSLMA compliance in 2024 shows a commitment to transparency.
JSLMA membership. Sakurao is a JSLMA member, and its entire current lineup is fully compliant. The 2024 reformulation of the Togouchi blended range to eliminate imported stock was a significant step. In a market still navigating transparency issues, that commitment matters.
The whisky is young. The distillery only started production in 2017, and the first releases came in 2021. But the quality of the early releases, the awards, and the community reception suggest this is a distillery worth watching closely.
FAQ
Is Sakurao whisky JSLMA compliant?
Yes. The Sakurao Single Malt, Togouchi Single Malt, and the current Togouchi blended range are all JSLMA compliant. The blended line was reformulated in 2024 to use only whisky distilled at Sakurao Distillery.
What is the difference between Sakurao and Togouchi whisky?
Both brands come from the same company, but they are matured in different locations. Sakurao Single Malt is aged in the seaside warehouse near the Seto Inland Sea. Togouchi Single Malt is aged in a former railway tunnel in the Chugoku Mountains. Since 2024, the Togouchi blended line also uses only whisky from Sakurao Distillery and is JSLMA compliant.
Can you visit Sakurao Distillery?
Yes. The Sakurao Distillery in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima offers tours and has a Visitor Center on the ground floor of the main building. The distillery faces Miyajima and the Seto Inland Sea. Tours can be booked through their reservation site.
Is Togouchi real Japanese whisky?
The current Togouchi lineup is genuine Japanese whisky. Togouchi Single Malt (released 2021) and the reformulated Togouchi blended range (relaunched 2024) are all made from whisky distilled at Sakurao Distillery and comply with JSLMA standards. Earlier versions of the Togouchi blended line used imported stock, but those have been discontinued.
What does Sakurao Single Malt taste like?
Sakurao Single Malt is a 43% ABV whisky with a rich, coastal character. The official tasting notes describe raisins, oranges, and peaches on the nose, sweet vanilla with moderate bitterness on the palate, and a smoky, barrel fragrance finish. Reviewers frequently note a subtle brininess from the seaside maturation near the Seto Inland Sea.