Japanese Whisky in Tokyo, January & February 2020.

I’m not a whisky expert and I don’t even drink very much.

But, I enjoy the hunt for Japanese whisky whilst my wife goes shopping in Tokyu Hands, Marui and Seibu.

Before visiting Japan, I heard that it was difficult to buy Japanese whisky because of the production shortage, Chinese demand, bloody speculators etc etc etc.

Was I five years too late? Definitely too late to buy Hibiki 17 at the recommended retail price .

I stayed in Ikebukuro, north west Tokyo, which is well connected via the JR Yamanote line.

I recommend starting at Yamaya, Ikebukuro East.

This is where I found the Hibiki Japanese Harmony for ¥4900. This is my favorite liquor shop in Ikebukuro. Remember to bring your passport for tax free purchases.

Next,try The Whisky Plus which is close to Yamaya.

I bought Ichiro’s Malt Wine Wood Reserve for ¥6,270. They also stocked the Ichiro’s World Blended Whisky Limited Edition, Ichiro’s Malt & Grain and the Single Malt Nikka Miyagikyo, No Age Statement (NAS). Tax free purchases were not available.



Visit Bic Camera, the electronics store. Go to the branch that sells liquor next door to Bic Camera Outlet as well as the main branch in Ikebukuro. I saw a bottle Nikka Yoichi NAS, Miyagikyo NAS and The Nikka NAS at the main branch.



Seibu, the department store had several bottles of Nikka Yoichi (NAS) and Miyagikyo (NAS).

The liquor store, Shinanoya stocked a few bottles of Fuji-Sanroku Signature Blend. I didn’t spend much time there as the sales person was not friendly.

Stop by FamilyMart, the convenience store. At one branch there were lots of Hakushu 180 ml bottles and 8 bottles of Nikka Miyagikyo 700 ml.