Karuizawa Distillery: Miyota, Nagano
Updated: 4 hours ago
Karuizawa Distillery was a Japanese whisky distillery at Miyota, a town on the southern slopes of Mount Asama, an active volcano, in Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture.
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Karuizawa at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Producer / distillery | Karuizawa |
Location | Nagano, Japan |
Ownership | Historical distillery now closed |
History / origin | Closed Japanese whisky distillery with scarce historic casks |
Whisky characteristics | Closed Japanese whisky distillery with scarce historic casks |
Visiting | Consult current official visitor information; not every distillery is open to tours. |
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The original distillery
Karuizawa was founded in 1955. It was owned by the Mercian Corporation and was the smallest distillery in Japan. It was mothballed in 2000 and closed in 2011. Since then its remaining stock has been bought, rebranded and released as a series of luxury bottlings, and original Karuizawa is now among the most sought after whisky in the world.
The new Karuizawa
Karuizawa Whisky Co., Ltd. was set up by founder Shigeru Totsuka to recreate the brand. Its distillery officially opened in December 2022, and distilling began that month. It uses two pot stills made by Forsyths in Scotland, the same design as the originals but slightly larger.
Workers from the original distillery helped set up the new site, including its former master distillers Osami Uchibori and Yoshiyuki Nakazato. Whisky carrying the Karuizawa name from the new site is due to go on sale in 2033.
Sources and image credit
Sources: Wikipedia, Karuizawa distillery article (en.wikipedia.org), read on 20 October 2026. The official Karuizawa site could not be read in this pass.
What makes Karuizawa distinctive?
Closed Japanese whisky distillery with scarce historic casks
Karuizawa whisky bottles and expression comparison
These are producer- or archive-documented expressions; historical editions are not current stock guarantees.
Rare and historic whisky releases
A closed distillery or a past limited batch cannot be assumed to be still producing this whisky.
Bottle or expression | Age or release | ABV | Verified context |
|---|---|---|---|
Karuizawa Vintage Single Cask (historic stock) | Historic | Cask specific | Closed distillery auction whisky |
Named expressions include historic or limited releases and do not guarantee current availability, strength or specifications. Check the producer's labels.
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Frequently asked questions about Karuizawa
Where is Karuizawa located?
Nagano, Japan.
Who owns or operates Karuizawa?
Historical distillery now closed.
What is distinctive about Karuizawa?
Closed Japanese whisky distillery with scarce historic casks
What whisky is associated with Karuizawa?
Karuizawa Vintage Single Cask (historic stock). Current availability must be checked.
Can you tour Karuizawa?
Please check the producer's current visitor information; not all locations welcome visitors.
Sources and editorial checks
Existing history and sources are retained above. Ownership, operating status, bottlings and tours may change.
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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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