Whisky Sunrise: A Spirited Morning at Nikka Yoichi Distillery

#summervacay **Why Arrive Early?** Beat the tour buses and experience the **smoky, peaty soul of Japanese whisky** as the distillery fires up its coal-fired stills—best enjoyed when the morning sea breeze rolls in from the Ishikari Bay. --- ### **🥃 Your Perfect Yoichi Morning Itinerary** #### **8:30 AM - First Tasting of the Day** - **Coal-Fired Magic:** Watch the only distillery in Japan still using this method (the secret to Yoichi’s bold flavor) - **Barrel Hall Secrets:** Sniff the "angel's share" in the damp cellar—aging whisky smells like caramelized campfire #### **10:00 AM - Whisky & Seafood Pairing** - **Local Hack:** Grab **Hokkaido sea urchin** from the market next door—the briny sweetness complements Yoichi’s smoky notes #### **11:00 AM - DIY Blending Session** - **Create Your Bottle:** Mix Yoichi’s single malts to take home (¥3,000 for 200ml) - **Pro Tip:** Name your blend something hilarious for future nostalgia (*"Morning Glory Coal Juice"*) --- ### **💰 Budget Breakdown** - **Tour:** Free (tastings ¥500-1,000) - **Train from Sapporo:** ¥5,000 roundtrip (or rent a car for flexibility) - **Souvenirs:** Limited editions only sold here (like the **Yoichi Apple Brandy Finish**) --- ### **⚠️ Essential Tips** - **Dress Warm:** Coastal mornings are brisk even in summer - **Designated Driver:** Taxis wait outside (or take the **11:32 AM wine train** back to Otaru) - **Hidden Gem:** The **distillery’s abandoned railway track** makes moody photos **Why It’s Worth Waking Up For?** ✅ **Morning light** through the stillhouse steam is magical ✅ **First dibs** on rare bottlings at the gift shop ✅ **Sea air + whisky fumes = unforgettable** **Tag your adventure #yoichisunrise!** ☀️🥃 *(Afternoon Plan: Soak off the whisky at **Otaru’s onsen**—30 mins away!)*