Yakushima Denshogura

KURA TOUR

Reserve

NEWS

About Yakushima Denshogura

Located about 60km south-southwest and a few hours by boat from the mainland of Kagoshima, Yakushima was designated as a World Natural Heritage site in 1993. Its unique and rich nature captivates many people, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists annually.
“Yakushima Denshogura” was established in 1960, 33 years before it was registered as a World Natural Heritage site. Since then, it has been deeply rooted in Yakushima for over half a century, utilizing the island’s bountiful natural gifts and preserving traditional handmade techniques. Please, do enjoy the unique beverages of Yakushima at least once.

About Yakushima Denshogura

KURA TOURYAKUSHIMA DENSHOGURA

At Yakushima Denshogura, we cherish and repair traditional Japanese “Kame” (ceramic jars) that have been handed down for years. The quality yeast living in the jars supports our shochu production.
The koji, essential for shochu making, is carefully crafted by hand in traditional koji rooms, a method now rare and mostly manual. It’s a cherished tradition of shochu making by hand, along with the Japanese “Kame.”

Yakushima Denshogura Handmade ShochuYakushima Denshogura
Yakushima Denshogura Japanese KamePot
Yakushima Denshogura Handmade ShochuYakushima Denshogura

YAKUSHIMA
DENSHOGURA

Natural Environment of YakushimaYakushima
Yakushima Denshogura Production Scene: Sweet Potato HangingPreparation

Striving to produce “Yakushima-like shochu” using local materials as much as possible, we are committed to utilizing regional resources. The abundant and soft water of Yakushima is used for mixing and diluting shochu. We also actively use locally grown sweet potatoes, not only sourcing from island farmers but also engaging in our own cultivation near the brewery.

Rivers of YakushimaRiver
World Natural Heritage 'Yakushima

World Natural Heritage “Yakushima”

The spirits produced at “Yakushima Denshogura” are shochu, expertly crafted with sweet and soft water from Yakushima and high-quality sweet potatoes fermented in ceramic jars. Its deep flavor becomes a drink that immerses you in the ancient forests and the passage of eternal time.
The shochu production in Yakushima, started in 1960, continues over half a century later, inheriting the skills and persisting in handmade jar fermentation. Please experience the blessings of nature, the traditional techniques by the master brewers, and the deep connection with the region.

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Recommended tour points

Yakushima’s Soft Water

Referred to as the “Alps on the Ocean”, Yakushima is an island with over 40 mountains exceeding 1,000 meters in elevation, including Kyushu’s highest peak, Miyanoura-dake. This unique topography brings Japan’s highest rainfall to the mountains. The abundant rain cascades down the steep granite surfaces of the island, turning into streams and springs that form soft water with hardly any mineral content. When visiting Yakushima, enjoy the soft water along with the spirits from Yakushima Denshogura.

Distant Views on Yakushima Island

Shochu Production Before Your Eyes

At Yakushima Denshogura, you can closely observe the now-rare handmade koji rooms, cherished ceramic jars, and distillation equipment. During the sweet potato harvest season, you can see the start of the fermentation process, the work scenes of the master brewers and brewery workers, handmade koji making, and stirring of the fermenting mash, guided by the staff.

Yakushima Denshogura Production Scene

Mars Yakushima Aging Cellar

Inside the premises of “Yakushima Denshogura”, the “Mars Yakushima Aging Cellar” ages a portion of whisky genshu at Hombo Shuzo’s “Mars Komagatake Distillery” in Nagano and “Mars Tsunuki Distillery” in Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima. The whisky aging in the diverse climate of Yakushima, also known as the “Alps on the Ocean”, creates new value as a precious genshu of Mars whisky.

Mars Yakushima Aging Cellar

Enjoying Tastings

In the store, primarily the spirits from Yakushima Denshogura and Mars Yakushima Aging Cellar are sold, and tastings are available for most of the beverages on display.
Enjoy the drinks made right in front of you in the brewery, while listening to explanations from the Yakushima Denshogura staff.

Yakushima Denshogura 売店入り口

Exclusive Products Available Only Here

There are spirits not widely distributed in general, such as “Shochu sold exclusively on Yakushima Island”, “Kagoshima exclusive whisky”, “whisky aged in Mars Yakushima Aging Cellar”, and “Store exclusive herbal liqueur”.
The store usage, including tastings other than brewery tours, may be available without reservation if you contact us. This allows you to enjoy your time irrespective of the often rainy weather of Yakushima.

Yakushima Denshogura Shop

Products Handled by Yakushima Denshogura
*Stock may run out.

Products Handled by Yakushima Denshogura

About the Tour

●Please make a reservation in advance.
*If you do not have a reservation, there might be unscheduled closures.

Reservation Calendar

●Contact Information *Telephone Reception 9:00-17:00
TEL:0997-46-2511 FAX:0997-46-2686

FAQ

What can I visit?

You can see the actual production equipment (ceramic jars, bottling equipment, etc.) and storage facilities with a guided tour by our staff. During the production period, you can also see the actual manufacturing site.

Is reservation necessary?

We ask for reservations. While we might be able to accommodate without one, our staff are usually engaged in production tasks, so we generally do not accept walk-ins.

Want to visit with more than 10 people

Visits are possible, but the brewery is quite small. Since not everyone can enter at once, please allow plenty of time for your visit.

Is there an entrance fee?

No need. Everything including tastings is free.

Can children also visit?

You can visit with children, but entry is denied if all members are under 20 years of age.

Are you open on weekends and holidays?

If you make a reservation, we operate except for the New Year holidays (12/29-1/3), but there might be unscheduled closures. Please be aware that we may also close on weekdays.

Do you have parking?

Free to use. However, we do not provide alcohol to drivers.

Can I have a meal?

There are no dining facilities. Eating within the facility is prohibited except for tastings.

What products are available at the shop?

In addition to Hombo Shuzo’s products, we sell merchandise and souvenirs. We have a limited number of Yakushima exclusive spirits for sale.

Is it okay to just shop?

You can use the shop and tastings without taking a tour.

Is photography allowed?

Photography is allowed, but we may ask you to refrain from it at the staff’s discretion. Please consult us in advance for commercial photography or interviews.

Can you ship products?

Shipping costs must be borne by the customer, and we only ship within Japan. International shipping is not available.

Can I order by phone?

It is possible, but some limited items may not be available. Please confirm the details by phone.

Transportation Access

Location
2384 Anbo, Yakushima-Cho, Kumage-Gun, Kagoshima 891-4311, Japan
TEL
0997-46-2511
FAX
0997-46-2686
Hours
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Reception until 4:00 PM)
Closed
12/29-1/3 (Temporary closures may occur)
Admission
Free
Shop
Available
Duration
About 30 minute
Parking
Free (Parking for 3 cars & 1 bus)
[Access within Yakushima]

AirplaneAirplane

About 20 minutes by car from ‘Yakushima Airport

ShipsShips

About 5 minutes by car from the Toppy jetfoil terminal at ‘Anbo Port
About 43 minutes by car from ‘Miyanoura Port

BusBus

1 minute on foot from ‘Morikusha Shrine’ bus stop

[For transportation to Yakushima]

Yakushima Tourism Association