A New Proposal for Whisky Tourism Visiting 28 Craft Distilleries Nationwide! Sales of "Japanese Whisky Passport Douincho" Begin

Ryoko Yomiuri Publications, Inc. (President: Yuki Hasegawa), a wholly owned subsidiary of Yomiuri Travel Service Co., Ltd. (President: Hidenori Iwakami), will begin selling the "Japanese Whisky Passport Douincho (Copper Stamp Book)" (supervised by T.T. TOYAMA) on April 1 (Japanese Whisky Day). It allows people to collect and paste "Douin" (copper stamps) issued by craft distilleries nationwide.

Ryoko Yomiuri Publications launched the "Tetsuincho" project in July 2020, which is known as the "railway version of a goshuincho (temple stamp book)." They have been working on "promoting railway use," "revitalizing areas along the railway lines," and creating "new revenue sources for railway companies." Utilizing this know-how, the "Japanese Whisky Passport Douincho" is a new initiative aimed at increasing the interacting population in various regions. The name is derived from the fact that whisky pot stills are made of copper. Pot stills are considered the heart of a distillery, as their shape and size determine the taste of the whisky.

"Japanese Whisky Passport Douincho"
The "Japanese Whisky Passport Douincho" introduces 28 craft distilleries nationwide. By presenting the Douincho at each distillery, you can purchase their original "Douin" (copper stamp) and paste it on the designated page to collect them. By visiting each distillery and learning about the differences in pot stills and the makers' dedication, you can experience not only the taste but also the essence and charm of Japanese whisky. The "Douin" includes the date, making it perfect for recording your visits and travel memories. It also features manga explaining the definition and history of Japanese whisky and the world of the "Douincho." Additionally, it has English text so foreign visitors can enjoy it as well. The world's first Japanese whisky bottler, T.T. TOYAMA (office: Tonami City, Toyama Prefecture), supervised the entire project.

Takahiko Inagaki of T.T. TOYAMA, the supervisor, expressed his hopes: "Through this initiative, I hope Japanese whisky will not just end as a mere boom but will lead to whisky tourism taking root as a culture."

The "Japanese Whisky Passport Douincho" is sold at 28 distilleries and can also be purchased through the Ryoko Yomiuri Publications website. The selling price is 2,500 yen (tax included).

Japanese Whisky Passport Douincho
Format: 160 mm (height) x 115 mm (width)
Accordion fold, 48 inner pages (including designated paste pages for 28 companies, etc.)
Estimated price: 2,500 yen (tax included)

Copper Card (Image)
For those who collect the "Douin" from all 28 distilleries and wish to have one, a "Copper Card" (with a serial number in the order of completion) proving their accomplishment will be issued for a fee.

● Sales start on April 1 at the following 28 distilleries (*Distilleries written in Gothic font took the stage at today's press conference)
① Tankyu Distillery (Hokkaido)
② Maoi Distillery (Hokkaido)
③ Niseko Distillery (Hokkaido)
④ Gakkogawa Distillery (Yamagata Prefecture)
⑤ Tenkyo Distillery (Fukushima Prefecture)
⑥ Asaka Distillery (Fukushima Prefecture)
⑦ Niigata Kameda Distillery (Niigata Prefecture)
⑧ Takakura Distillery (Ibaraki Prefecture)
⑨ Kiuchi Brewery Yasato Distillery (Ibaraki Prefecture)
⑩ Nikko Kaido Oyama Distillery (Tochigi Prefecture)
⑪ Hanyu Distillery (Saitama Prefecture)
⑫ Distillery Water Dragon (Shizuoka Prefecture)
⑬ Nozawa Onsen Distillery (Nagano Prefecture)
⑭ Saburomaru Distillery (Toyama Prefecture)
⑮ Hida Takayama Distillery (Gifu Prefecture)
⑯ Nagahama Distillery (Shiga Prefecture)
⑰ Biwako Distillery (Shiga Prefecture)
⑱ Kaikyo Distillery (Hyogo Prefecture)
⑲ Kobe Distillery (Hyogo Prefecture)
⑳ Eigashima Distillery (Hyogo Prefecture)
㉑ Yabu Distillery (Hyogo Prefecture)
㉒ Okayama Distillery (Okayama Prefecture)
㉓ Shindo Distillery (Fukuoka Prefecture)
㉔ Komaki Distillery (Kagoshima Prefecture)
㉕ Ontake Distillery (Kagoshima Prefecture)
㉖ Hishida Distillery (Kagoshima Prefecture)
㉗ Kyoda Distillery (Okinawa Prefecture)
㉘ Suzaki Distillery (Okinawa Prefecture)

● Image of Douin (Example)
* Designs may vary if there are multiple types or are subject to change.

"Japanese Whisky Passport Douincho" Webpage
https://ryokou.yomiuri.co.jp/jwp