Mars Tsunuki Distillery | VISITING EXPERIENCE

Mars Tsunuki DistilleryDISTILLERY TOUR

About the Distillery
Recommended Tour Points
Distillery Products
About the Tour

NEWS

2025.05.15Award: Award: Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2025 Western Spirits Category Gold

2025.05.09Award: Award: San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025 DOUBLE GOLD

About Mars Tsunuki Distillery.

The Mars Tsunuki Distillery, located in Tsunuki, Kaseda, Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is the birthplace of Hombo Shuzo. At this distillery, you can view various whisky production facilities including pot stills and stone warehouse barrel storage where a diverse range of whisky genshu sleeps.

Additionally, the Houjou, the former residence of the second president of Hombo Shuzo, Jokichi Hombo, operates as an adjacent shop and bar. It has been renovated into a special space where you can enjoy tasting limited edition whiskys and purchasing original products. Please enjoy your visit with fond memories.

Single Malt Tsunuki produced at Mars Tsunuki Distillery

DISTILLERY TOURMARS TSUNUKI

Nestled in a basin-like terrain, Tsunuki is surrounded by the Kurata mountain range to the east and the Nagaya mountain range to the west. Its climate is characterized by hot summers and winters that are exceptionally cold for the Minami-Satsuma region. For over a century, Hombo Shuzo has crafted shochu here using Kagoshima’s signature product, the sweet potato. With an intimate knowledge of this land’s water and climate, we are now applying our time-honored tradition of beverage crafting to the art of whisky making in Tsunuki.

MARS
TSUNUKI

Adjacent to the distillery is “Houjou,” the former residence of the Hombo family, which now serves as a shop and bar. This building, originally the home of Tsunekichi Hombo, the second president of Hombo Shuzo, was renovated for visitors. Built in 1933, the traditional single-story wooden house exudes a stately elegance. Here, you can enjoy a relaxing time while gazing at the garden, whose expression changes with the seasons and the passing of each day.

The Birthplace of ‘Single Malt Tsunuki

The representative brand of Mars Tsunuki Distillery, ‘Single Malt Tsunuki,’ is a whisky produced at a distillery located in the southwest of the Satsuma Peninsula. Tsunuki, the birthplace of Hombo Shuzo, is a place where you can feel 150 years of tradition and history. To deepen your understanding of the whisky born and raised in this land, please experience the land of Tsunuki.

Recommended Tour Highlights

A Temperate Climate and High-Quality Water

Tsunuki, the birthplace of Hombo Shuzo, is blessed with a temperate climate and excellent water resources—a land where shochu production has thrived since the Meiji era. While the climate is generally warm, the basin-like terrain creates winters that are exceptionally cold for the Minami-Satsuma region, a feature that profoundly influences the maturation of our whisky.
At the very origin of Hombo Shuzo, we invite you to experience our unique approach to whisky making while connecting with the terroir of Tsunuki.

A scenic view of the Mars Tsunuki Distillery

Tsunuki, Our Place of Origin

The history of Hombo Shuzo began right here in Tsunuki. In the distillery, we introduce our journey from our founding days, featuring rare historical photographs.
Discover the story of Hombo Shuzo, built over more than a century of beverage crafting, from our expansion from Kagoshima to Yamanashi and Nagano, to the relocation and establishment of new distilleries. The history of the Hombo family is also presented on display panels.

A historical photograph of Tsunuki from 1921

The Old Distillation Tower: A Symbol of History

Catching the eye amidst the flat, mountainous landscape is the distillery’s iconic symbol: the old distillation tower. Inside, the Super-alospas-type continuous still, which was in operation until the early 1970s, is displayed exactly as it was. Standing at an imposing height of 26 meters, this structure is a testament to the history of Hombo Shuzo and our journey with distilled spirits.

The Stone-Built `Aging Cellar` Where `Genshu` Slumbers

Our whisky `genshu` matures in a traditional stone-built cellar with minimal temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Entrusted to the power of nature and time, a diverse range of `genshu` with complex characteristics is born after years of aging. Each year, about 2-3% of the whisky evaporates from the casks and is lost—a phenomenon known as the “Angel’s Share.” We invite you to enjoy the rich aroma that fills our aging cellars.

“Houjou,” the Former Hombo Residence: A Place to Gather and Relax

Adjacent to the distillery is “Houjou,” the former residence of the Hombo family, which has been renovated and now serves as a visitor center. This was once the home of Tsunekichi Hombo, the second president of Hombo Shuzo. Today, you can enjoy tastings of Mars Whisky and purchase distillery-exclusive products at our cafe, bar, and shop. Experience the authentic atmosphere of the land where our beverages are made as you savor the creations of Hombo Shuzo.

The former Hombo family residence, 'Houjou'

Distillery Products
*Out of stock items may occur.

About Our Tours

● For groups of 10 or more, please make a reservation at least 5 days in advance.
※ Please note that without a reservation, entry may be restricted during busy times.

Reservation Calendar

● Contact Us ※Phone hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
TEL:0993-55-2121 FAX:0993-55-2110

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I see on the tour?

From the designated tour route, you can view our actual production facilities (such as fermentation tanks and pot stills) and our aging cellars. During production season, you can also see the distillation process in action.

Do I need a reservation?

Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more.
During busy periods, we prioritize customers with reservations, regardless of group size.

What is a self-guided tour?

This allows you to explore the distillery building freely on your own without a staff guide.

Can I request a guided tour?

Please let us know at the reception desk on the day of your visit. ※Please note that guided tours may not be available depending on staff availability. In such cases, we invite you to enjoy a self-guided tour or spend time at our “Houjou” visitor center until the next available tour.

Is there an admission fee?

No, admission is free. While the tour is free of charge, tastings at the “Houjou” Cafe Bar & Shop are paid.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, children are welcome to join the tour. However, we cannot admit groups consisting entirely of visitors under the age of 20.

Are you open on weekends and holidays?

Yes, we are. ※Excludes temporary closures and the New Year’s holiday period (Dec. 30 – Jan. 3).

Is parking available?

Yes, free parking is available for cars and large tour buses. However, we do not serve alcohol to designated drivers.

Is food available?

We do not currently serve meals. In addition to paid tastings, you can enjoy the menu offered at our “Houjou” Cafe Bar & Shop.

What products are available in the shop?

In addition to Hombo Shuzo’s products, we offer exclusive merchandise and souvenirs. We also have a limited number of distillery-exclusive bottlings available for purchase.

Can I visit just the shop?

Yes, you are welcome to visit our “Houjou” Cafe Bar & Shop for shopping or tastings without taking the distillery tour.

Is photography allowed?

Photography is permitted, but our staff may ask you to refrain from taking pictures if it disturbs other guests. For any commercial photography or media inquiries, please contact us in advance.

Can you ship products?

Yes, we can ship products within Japan for a fee. International shipping is not available.

Can I order by phone?

Yes, phone orders are possible, but some products, such as limited editions, may not be available. Please inquire for details when you call.

Transportation Access

Location: 6594 Tsunuki Kaseda, Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima 899-3611, Japan

TEL: 0993-55-2121

FAX: 0993-55-2110

Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Closed: 12/30-1/3 (Temporary closures may occur)

Admission: Free（All tastings are subject to charges）

Shop: Available（Houjou Cafe Bar＆Shop）

Duration: Distillery (Self-guided tour): About 30 minutes
Houjou（Paid tastings and shop）: About 15 minutes

Parking: Free (22 regular cars, 2 buses)

By Public Transportation By Public Transportation

Take the Kagoshima Kotsu bus to the “Tsunuki” bus stop, or take a taxi from the “Kaseda Bus Terminal”.

Yahoo! Transit Japan

By Car By Car

Approx. 90 min. from Kagoshima Airport (via Taniyama IC on the Kyushu Expressway)
Approx. 70 min. from Kagoshima City, JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station, or JR Ibusuki Station
Approx. 40 min. from the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots
Approx. 20 min. from JR Makurazaki Station