Translation guide
A place where alcoholic spirits are produced. In Japanese, the term depends on the type of alcohol and context.
To refer to a distillery in general, especially for traditional Japanese spirits.
The most direct translation for 'distillery', used for any distilled spirits. Common in names and descriptions.
あの蒸留所はウイスキーで有名です。
That distillery is famous for its whisky.
Literally 'sake brewing place', often used for facilities that produce sake, shochu, or other alcoholic beverages. Can include distillation.
その酒造所では焼酎も作っています。
That brewery also makes shochu.
Technically 'brewery', but sometimes used loosely for facilities that produce both brewed and distilled beverages. Not strictly a distillery.
Primarily means 'brewery'. Use only when context clearly includes distillation.
この醸造所はクラフトジンも蒸留しています。
This brewery also distills craft gin.
To refer specifically to a facility that produces whisky.
The standard term for a whisky distillery. Often used in names like '山崎蒸留所' (Yamazaki Distillery).
ニッカウヰスキーの余市蒸留所を見学しました。
I toured the Yoichi Distillery of Nikka Whisky.
Literally 'whisky factory', a more industrial term. Less common than 蒸留所 but understood.
あのウイスキー工場は見学ツアーをやっています。
That whisky factory offers tours.
To refer to a distillery that produces traditional Japanese distilled spirits.
A traditional term for a shochu distillery, using 蔵 (storehouse) which evokes a craft image.
鹿児島の焼酎蔵を訪ねました。
I visited a shochu distillery in Kagoshima.
Specifically for awamori distilleries in Okinawa.
沖縄にはたくさんの泡盛蔵があります。
There are many awamori distilleries in Okinawa.
A more modern or formal term for a shochu distillery.
この焼酎蒸留所は芋焼酎が専門です。
This shochu distillery specializes in sweet potato shochu.
To refer to a distillery producing Western-style clear spirits.
Standard term for a gin distillery.
京都に新しいジン蒸留所ができました。
A new gin distillery opened in Kyoto.
Standard term for a vodka distillery.
ロシアのウォッカ蒸留所を見学したいです。
I want to tour a vodka distillery in Russia.
To refer to a small-scale, artisanal distillery.
Commonly used for craft distilleries, often making gin, whisky, or rum.
このクラフト蒸留所では少量生産のラムを作っています。
This craft distillery produces small-batch rum.
Direct translation of 'micro-distillery', used in industry contexts.
マイクロ蒸留所が近年増えています。
Micro-distilleries have been increasing in recent years.
蒸留所 (distillery) is for distilled spirits. 酒造所 (sake brewery) is for sake and sometimes shochu. 醸造所 (brewery) is for beer, wine, and other fermented beverages. Use the specific term to avoid confusion.
ビールは醸造所で作られますが、ウイスキーは蒸留所で作られます。
Beer is made at a brewery, but whisky is made at a distillery.
For traditional Japanese spirits like shochu and awamori, using 蔵 (kura) instead of 蒸留所 adds a sense of heritage and craftsmanship. It's common in brand names and tourism.