Best Japanese Craft Gin Brands to Taste in Tokyo
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Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin
kinobigin.comThis is a true pioneer in the Japanese craft gin scene, distilled in Kyoto with a rice spirit base. It features exquisite local botanicals like yuzu, gyokuro tea, and sansho pepper, giving it such a beautifully balanced and distinctly Japanese profile. - 2
Roku Gin
house.suntory.comSuntory's Roku Gin is probably the most globally recognized, and for good reason! Its name means 'six,' referring to the six peak-season Japanese botanicals like sakura flower, yuzu peel, and sencha tea, which give it a delicate, harmonious flavor. - 3
Sakurao Gin Original
sakuraodistillery.comHailing from Hiroshima, Sakurao Gin incorporates nine local botanicals, including fresh Hiroshima citrus. It's got this fantastic citrus-forward profile with traditional gin notes that make it super enjoyable in a classic G&T. - 4
Etsu Japanese Gin
etsugin.comMeaning 'pleasure' in Japanese, this Hokkaido-made gin uses water from the Taisetsu Mountains and botanicals like juniper, yuzu, and green tea leaves. It’s wonderfully fresh with bright citrus notes and a subtle spicy finish. - 5
Kozue Gin
dekanta.comThis one is truly unique, being the first gin to use koyamaki (Japanese umbrella pine) needles as a botanical, alongside mandarin and sansho. It offers a distinct woody, earthy, and subtly spicy profile that's a refreshing change from citrus-heavy gins. - 6
Masahiro Okinawa Craft Gin
en.masahirogin.comFrom the subtropical island of Okinawa, this gin uses an awamori (rice spirit) base and local botanicals like shīkwāsā (Okinawan lime), goya (bitter melon), and guava leaves. It’s got a vibrant, layered, and slightly tropical taste that's really distinctive. - 7
Nikka Coffey Gin
nikkawhiskyusa.comKnown for their whiskies, Nikka's Coffey Gin is fantastic, made with a corn and malt distillate base and 11 botanicals. Expect a super citrusy profile with yuzu, kabosu, and sansho pepper, making it bright and wonderfully zesty. - 8
Komasa Gin Hojicha
qantimagroup.comThis intriguing gin from Kagoshima uses a shochu base and highlights hojicha (roasted green tea) as a key botanical. It’s known for its aromatic, roasted notes, offering a different kind of complexity compared to other Japanese gins. - 9
The Hakuto Gin
skurnik.comProduced by Matsui Shuzo, The Hakuto Gin from Tottori prefecture incorporates over 10 botanicals, including cherry blossom, sansho pepper, and matcha. It's a beautifully aromatic gin with a lovely balance of floral, spicy, and green tea notes. - 10
135° East Hyogo Dry Gin
reddit.comThis gin beautifully blends traditional London Dry methods with Japanese influences, featuring botanicals like yuzu, sencha, sansho, and ume (Japanese plum). It’s complex yet incredibly smooth, perfect for sipping or in a sophisticated cocktail. - 11
Ki No Tea Gin
kinobigin.comAnother fantastic expression from The Kyoto Distillery, Ki No Tea Gin is infused with premium gyokuro and tencha green teas from Uji. If you're a tea lover, this one is a must-try for its delicate, earthy, and aromatic tea-infused character. - 12
Sakurao Gin Limited
nomunication.jpThis special edition from Sakurao Distillery uses an impressive 17 botanicals exclusively from Hiroshima, including unique ingredients like oyster shells, wasabi, and cherry blossom. It offers a deeper, more complex flavor with a hint of salinity that’s truly captivating.
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