Kenten Jitsugyo, operator of Akkeshi, to build a second distillery in Nakafurano
Kenten Jitsugyo, which runs the Akkeshi Distillery in Hokkaido, has announced it will build its second whisky distillery in Nakafurano, central Hokkaido, aiming to start operations in fiscal 2027.
The Akkeshi Distillery in Hokkaido has steadily built a presence among Japanese whisky enthusiasts. Its operator, Kenten Jitsugyo (headquartered in Tokyo; president Keiichi Toida), has decided to build a second distillery in the town of Nakafurano in Hokkaido. According to the Hokkaido Shimbun, construction was scheduled to begin in summer 2026 at the time of the announcement, with operations targeted for fiscal 2027. It had previously been reported that the company would build in the Furano region, but the exact location has now finally been settled.
From coastal Akkeshi to inland Furano
The Akkeshi Distillery was built in 2016 in the town of Akkeshi, on the Pacific coast of eastern Hokkaido. Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan’s large islands, and Akkeshi is known as a cool, misty seaside town. Nakafurano, where the new distillery will stand, lies inland in the Kamikawa region at the centre of the island. It is a basin town of lavender fields and farmland, and its environment differs greatly from that of coastal Akkeshi. The same company will therefore have bases in two places of very different character within Hokkaido.
What a second distillery means
Japanese whisky is growing in popularity worldwide, but because maturation takes many years, demand cannot be met straight away. Establishing a new base can be seen as a move with an eye on supply several years, or even a decade or more, down the line. The article does not yet reveal details such as production volume, equipment or the style of whisky to be made. Even so, the fact that a relatively young distillery has taken the step of building a second one shows the momentum of Japanese craft whisky. What kind of new-make spirit will emerge in Nakafurano is something to watch for in future announcements.
Enjoying it in Europe
Given the maturation time, whisky from Nakafurano will reach the bottle several years after operations begin, at the earliest. In the meantime, you can look for Akkeshi Distillery whisky in specialist shops and whisky bars and get to know the character of the coastal distillery. When spirit from inland Nakafurano eventually appears, there will be the pleasure of comparing what the same makers achieve in a different place. For now, add a little water and take your time, noting how the aroma opens up.
Sources
- Hokkaido Shimbun, “Whisky distillery in Nakafurano: Kenten Jitsugyo’s second site after Akkeshi, aiming to start operating in fiscal 2027” https://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1305163/
Sources
This article was written by The Sake Wire editorial team, summarising the public sources listed above. Images are our own.
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