HIOKI KANOSUKE SPIRITS FESTIVAL 2026-HIOKI SPIRITS TRAIL
~ A Special Day Exploring Satsuma's Craft Spirits Culture ~
Kanosuke Distillery, built around the concept of “MELLOW LAND, MELLOW WHISKY,” joins hands with its parent distillery, Hioki Distillery (Komasa Jyozo)—crafting a diverse range of spirits from shochu to whisky, gin, rum, and liqueurs. On Sunday, October 25, 2026, we invite you to the Hioki Kanosuke Spirits Festival 2026—a unique journey connecting both sites where guests can immerse themselves in the world of craft spirits. Featuring festival-exclusive bottle releases, special masterclasses led by our distillers, signature cocktails, food trucks with local culinary delights, and live jazz, this special day offers an unforgettable experience set against the rich natural backdrop of Hioki. Join us to enjoy 140 years of traditional shochu craftsmanship alongside new frontiers in craft distilling.
EVENT OVERVIEW
HIOKI KANOSUKE SPIRITS FESTIVAL 2026-HIOKI SPIRITS TRAIL
Date & Time | Sunday, October 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Event will proceed in light rain) |
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Venues | Hioki Distillery Kanosuke Distillery (Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture) |
Admission | Free (Note: Select offerings, including seminars and exclusive bottle purchases, require payment and advance reservation) |
Visitor Benefits | ① Complimentary Drinks: 1 free drink at each venue |
Organizers | Komasa Jyozo Co., Ltd. Komasa Kanosuke Distillery Co., Ltd. |
Inquiries | Hioki Kanosuke Spirits Festival 2026 Committee TEL: +81-99-201-7700 |
UPDATED NEWS
For the latest updates and details in English, please follow our official social media channels.
Instagram: @Kanosukedistillery
X: @KanosukeWhisky
KANOSUKE DISTILLERY
Experience the captivating world of “MELLOW LAND, MELLOW WHISKY” at Kanosuke Distillery, where you can fully immerse yourself in the essence of Kanosuke whisky. In addition to festival-exclusive bottles, our production areas will be open for you to explore at your own pace all day long. Relax and enjoy a mellow afternoon filled with live music performances on the Garden Stage.
*The photo is for illustrative purposes only.
■Whisky: Tasting, Experiences & Shopping
① Welcome Drink
Enjoy your first KANOSUKE whisky free of charge. Additional drinks will be available for purchase.
② Original Whisky Cocktails
Top bartenders from Kagoshima will gather at THE MELLOW BAR to serve exclusive signature cocktails crafted with KANOSUKE whisky, accompanied by ocean views. (Note: Paid menu)
③ Hand-Fill Experience
Fill your own bottle directly from the cask using rare, unreleased single cask spirits, complete with your personalized label. Take home a unique bottle as a memorable keepsake from the festival. (Note: Paid experience)
*The photo is for illustrative purposes only.
■Distillery Tours & Seminars
①Special Public Opening Legacy Warehouse
Enjoy a complimentary guided tour of the "Legacy Warehouse," a semi-underground aging place built in the 1970s by second-generation master Komasa Kanosuke. Experience this historic space—normally closed to the public—during designated time slots. (Free admission / Scheduled entry times)
② Open Access to Visitor Center
Tour Areas For one day only, the visitor center tour areas of Kanosuke Distillery—typically accessible via paid tours—will be open to the public free of charge. Explore the facilities that power KANOSUKE whisky at your own pace, including three distinctly shaped pot stills and fermenters reminiscent of traditional shochu production. (Free admission / Self-guided)
③ Special Seminars
Join KANOSUKE's distillers for exclusive masterclasses diving deep into the intricate world of whisky-making. (Paid event / Advance reservation required)
■More to Enjoy
- Local Food Trucks：Discover a selection of local flavours from Hioki and across Kagoshima.
- Cask Charring Demonstration：Watch Ariake Sangyo demonstrate the craft of charring shochu re-charred casks.
- Garden Stage：Enjoy live performances, including bagpipe music and jazz, in the distillery garden.
〇KANOSUKE SINGLE MALT DISTILLERY FEST. 2026 ＜LIMITED RELEASE＞
To celebrate the Hioki Kanosuke Spirits Festival 2026, we are releasing special Festival 2026 limited-edition bottles of Kanosuke Single Malt. This year, a 200ml mini bottle makes its debut alongside the full-size 700ml bottle—perfect as a memento of your visit or a souvenir to take home. The full-size bottle will be available in limited quantities through a lottery, while the mini bottle will be sold at Kanosuke Distillery on the day of the festival in limited quantities. Don't miss this opportunity to take home a commemorative bottle and a special piece of your journey.
■KANOSUKE SINGLE MALT DISTILLERY FEST. 2026 ＜LIMITED RELEASE＞(700ml)
A full-size bottle befitting this special occasion. Visitors to Kanosuke Distillery can enter a lottery for the opportunity to purchase this limited-edition bottle.
- Price: ¥16,500 (tax included) / ¥15,000 (tax excluded)
- Purchase Limit: Up to two bottles per person
- Sales Method: Lottery sale Please note that bottles will not be available for purchase on the day of the festival. Lottery applications only will be accepted.
- Delivery: Bottles will be shipped at a later date, beginning in mid-November
- Application location: Kanosuke Distillery SHOP Please scan the QR code displayed inside the distillery to enter the lottery. Be sure to bring your smartphone.
- Application period: Sunday, October 11–Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Winner notification: Sunday, November 1, 2026 Only successful applicants will be contacted.
- Purchase Period: Sunday, November 1–Friday, November 6, 2026
■ KANOSUKE SINGLE MALT DISTILLERY FEST. 2026 LIMITED MINI BOTTLE (200ml)
For the first time, a 200ml mini bottle will be available exclusively for the Distillery Festival—perfect as a memento of your visit or as a gift. A limited quantity will be available for purchase at Kanosuke Distillery on the day of the festival.
- Price: JPY 4,950 (tax included) / JPY 4,500 (excluding tax)
- Purchase Limit: One bottle per person
- Sales Method: vailable for purchase at Kanosuke Distillery on the day of the festival Further details will be announced at a later date.
- Collection: Bottles may be taken home on the day of purchase.
HIOKI DISTILLERY (KOMASA JYOZO )
At Hioki Distillery, operated by Kanosuke Distillery’s parent company, Komasa Jyozo, taste a wide variety of spirits, including seasonal new shochu, KOMASA GIN, the new KOMASA RUM and fruit liqueurs. Explore selected production areas and discover both traditional, handcrafted shochu-making and the facilities used to produce shochu and grain whisky.
■Shochu & Spirits: Tasting & Shopping
① Welcome Drink
Choose from seasonal new shochu, KOMASA GIN, the new KOMASA RUM and liqueurs. Your first drink is complimentary, with additional drinks available for purchase.
② Festival-Exclusive Authentic Imo Shochu
A specially selected authentic imo shochu created for the festival will be available in limited quantities. Each purchaser will also receive a sweet potato grown by one of our contract farmers.
※Available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
③ Hand-Fill Experience
Bottle a rare, unreleased shochu yourself and create your own original label.
※Available on a first-come, first-served basis. Paid experience
■Distillery Tours & Seminars
① Explore the Historic Distillery
Explore selected areas of the historic distillery free of charge.
② Special Seminar on Spirits Crafted at Hioki Distillery
Enjoy an exclusive tasting of selected spirits crafted at Hioki Distillery. Our distillers will share the stories behind the development of our popular products and their dedication to the craft. Discover the distinctive character of each spirit through a guided tasting.
※Available on a first-come, first-served basis. Paid experience
■More to Enjoy
- Local Food Trucks ：Discover a selection of local flavours from Hioki and across Kagoshima.
- Children’s Activities：Enjoy family-friendly activities, including ring toss, candy fishing and more.
ACCESS
■ Access & Route Map
■ Free Shuttle Bus
Free shuttle buses will operate between JR Ijuin Station (JR Kagoshima Main Line) and Kanosuke Distillery. Free loop buses will also run continuously between Kanosuke Distillery and Hioki Distillery.
*Please note that the timetable is subject to change; kindly check the website again before your visit.
■ Parking
(Drivers are strictly prohibited from tasting or consuming alcohol) Parking Lot 1: Kanosuke Distillery Parking Lot 2: Hioki Distillery(Komasa Jyozo)
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Official photographers may take photos/videos during the event. Thank you for your understanding.
- Drivers are strictly forbidden from tasting or drinking alcohol.
- The organizers accept no responsibility or liability for any incidents, accidents, or theft within the venue or parking areas.
- You must be at least 20 years old to drink alcohol in Japan. Drinking and driving is prohibited by law.
- Please drink responsibly. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should refrain from drinking alcohol.