Shizuoka Distillery is located in Tamakawa, an area of Oku-Shizuoka in the northern part of Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture. “Oku” means “inner” or “deep,” referring to the remote, mountainous areas deep within Shizuoka.

The distillery lies more than 20 kilometers north of JR Shizuoka Station, in a mountainous area along the Abe Nakagouchi River, a tributary of the Abe River, one of Shizuoka City’s major rivers. Known for its clear, pristine waters, the river is home to beautiful kingfishers with vivid jade-green plumage, while ayu fishing is a familiar sight in summer.

At an elevation of around 200 meters, the distillery is surrounded by mountains rising more than 400 meters. Temperatures here are consistently 2–3°C lower than in the city center, and the weather can change quickly, as is typical in mountainous areas. Summer daytime temperatures can exceed 30°C, while winter mornings can occasionally fall to around -10°C. Snow, however, is rare. Humidity remains high throughout the year, and on rainy days, mist often hangs over the surrounding mountains. Strong winds also frequently sweep through the valley along the river.

Tamagawa is home to an abundance of wildlife. It is not unusual to see mother monkeys carrying their young across the road. Squirrels, raccoons, deer, and wild boar can also be spotted, and there are occasional reports of bears. Look up and you may see herons, wagtails, bush warblers, or swallows, while kingfishers can often be seen along the river.

The rich mountain nature of Shizuoka is an essential part of what shapes our whisky.