Venture Grain Tomakomai Distillery: Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Updated: 8 hours ago
Venture Grain Tomakomai Distillery is a grain whisky distillery in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, set up by Ichiro Akuto, the founder of Venture Whisky and Chichibu Distillery.
In this guide
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Venture Grain Tomakomai at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Producer / distillery | Venture Grain Tomakomai |
Country and region | Hokkaido, Japan |
Ownership / operator | Venture Whisky and Ichiro Akuto |
History or founding | Japanese grain distilling project within the Venture Whisky group; mature releases unconfirmed |
Whisky identity | Japanese grain distilling project within the Venture Whisky group; mature releases unconfirmed |
Visiting | Check the producer's current website for tours, visitor access and bookings. |
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Who is behind it?
The Japanese Whisky Dictionary says Ichiro Akuto was born in Chichibu, Saitama, in 1965, and comes from the Akuto family, which ran a sake brewery from the Edo period. He worked at Suntory before joining the family company, Toa Shuzo. When Toa Shuzo's Hanyu distillery closed and its stock was due to be disposed of, he founded Venture Whisky in 2004 to save the casks and launched the Ichiro's Malt brand. His Chichibu Distillery opened in 2008.
The Tomakomai grain distillery
November 2022: Venture Grain Co. was created as a subsidiary to run a grain whisky distillery in Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
2023: Venture Whisky's plan to build the grain distillery in eastern Tomakomai was reported.
The same source said full operation was planned for spring 2025.
A television feature listing describes the Tomakomai site as run by Ichiro Akuto, a pioneer of craft whisky. We have not confirmed whether production is now running at full scale, or its stills and capacity.
Gaps
No official page for the Tomakomai distillery loaded, so address, visitor access and current range are not covered here.
Sources
Sources: Japanese Whisky Dictionary entry on Chichibu Distillery (Venture Whisky), updated July 2026. Read on 21 October 2026.
What makes Venture Grain Tomakomai distinctive?
Japanese grain distilling project within the Venture Whisky group; mature releases unconfirmed
Venture Grain Tomakomai whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
No confirmed regular whisky bottle to compare | NAS / varies | Check label | Japanese grain distilling project within the Venture Whisky group; mature releases unconfirmed |
These expressions are documented or historical references, not a live shop catalogue. Check the official producer for current age, ABV, release date and stock.
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Frequently asked questions about Venture Grain Tomakomai
Where is Venture Grain Tomakomai?
Hokkaido, Japan.
Who is behind Venture Grain Tomakomai?
Venture Whisky and Ichiro Akuto.
What is special about Venture Grain Tomakomai?
Japanese grain distilling project within the Venture Whisky group; mature releases unconfirmed.
Which whisky expressions are documented?
There is no confirmed regular mature whisky expression in the existing research.
Can you visit Venture Grain Tomakomai?
Check the current distillery website for tours and opening arrangements before travelling.
Sources and editorial checks
Whisky Clan retains the original history and sources above. Ownership, whisky range and visitor conditions may change.
Image note: the cover is an illustrative whisky photograph from the Whisky Clan library, not a photograph of these distillery premises or official product packaging.
Editorial caution: no specific regularly available mature whisky bottle has been confirmed from this guide's source material.
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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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