Asaka Distillery: Koriyama, Fukushima
Updated: 8 hours ago
Asaka Distillery is a Japanese whisky distillery in Koriyama, a city in Fukushima Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Honshu. It makes the Yamazakura single malts for its parent company.
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Asaka at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Producer / distillery | Asaka |
Country and region | Fukushima, Japan |
Owner / background | Sasanokawa Shuzo |
Historical context | The distillery was founded in 2016 and is owned by Sasanokawa Shuzo Co., Ltd., a sake and shochu maker based in Fukushima Prefecture. It is named after the Asaka area of Koriyama. |
Whisky identity | Japanese malt whisky made by the Fukushima sake and spirits producer |
Visitor information | Check the official operator's website for currently available tours and visitor access. |
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Ownership and founding
The distillery was founded in 2016 and is owned by Sasanokawa Shuzo Co., Ltd., a sake and shochu maker based in Fukushima Prefecture. It is named after the Asaka area of Koriyama.
The parent company
Sasanokawa Shuzo dates its brewing business to 1765, according to a Japanese whisky retailer's brand summary. The same summary says the company made only sake and shochu until 1946, when it began producing whisky under the Cherry Whisky name. Its blended whiskies are sold under the Yamazakura and Sasanokawa 963 names.
A visitor listing for the distillery on TripAdvisor describes it as a sake and whisky distillery more than 250 years old, which fits the company's 1765 date.
Whiskies from Asaka
Asaka single malts are sold under the Yamazakura brand. Retailers list annual Yamazakura Asaka Single Malt editions for 2023 and 2024, as well as single cask bottlings and a peated release called Asaka The First Peated.
One widely listed single cask bottling is a seven year old Asaka single malt matured in an Oloroso sherry cask and bottled at 59% ABV. A Tokyo whisky shop lists it as limited to 242 bottles in Japan.
Other releases include Yamazakura Asaka Single Cask Slava Ukraini 2023, a five year old, and Asaka Single Cask Beams Daidai Edition 2023. The distillery's whisky is also used in blends such as Asaka and 4 World Blend.
Visiting and sources
The distillery is listed as a visitor attraction in Koriyama. Visit details change, so check with the distillery before travelling.
Sources: Wikipedia article on Asaka Distillery (read 20 October 2026), Jwhisky Yamazakura and Sasanokawa collection and brand summary, Tokyo Whisky Library Omotesando blog posts (November 2024 and January 2025), TripAdvisor listing for Asaka Distillery. Dates for the parent company come from a retailer summary and are not independently confirmed.
What makes Asaka distinctive?
Japanese malt whisky made by the Fukushima sake and spirits producer
Asaka whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Yamazakura Asaka Single Malt | NAS / edition varies | Check producer label | Japanese malt whisky made by the Fukushima sake and spirits producer |
Asaka The First Peated | NAS / edition varies | Check producer label | Japanese malt whisky made by the Fukushima sake and spirits producer |
Bottles and editions listed above are documented expressions or historical associations, not live stock or guaranteed current distillery production. Confirm dates, strengths and provenance with the producer.
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Frequently asked questions about Asaka
Where is Asaka based?
Fukushima, Japan.
Who owns or operates Asaka?
Sasanokawa Shuzo.
What is distinctive about Asaka?
Japanese malt whisky made by the Fukushima sake and spirits producer.
Which whiskies are documented?
Yamazakura Asaka Single Malt, Asaka The First Peated. Editions and market availability may differ.
Can you visit Asaka?
Check the current official distillery website for tour and visitor arrangements.
Sources and editorial notes
Original research and source links have been preserved. Ownership, production, release schedules and visiting information may change.
Image note: featured whisky photograph is an illustration from the Whisky Clan media library, not a photo of this particular distillery or its products.
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Cover photo: Asaka Distillery building, as pictured in a 2025 Tohoku press announcement. Reuse rights are not independently confirmed.
About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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