10 Best Japanese Craft Gins—Including Ki no Bi and Roku—Plus Delicious Cocktail Recipes

The difference between gin and craft gin

Gin is a distilled spirit made from fermented grains like barley and corn, which is then redistilled with juniper berries and other botanicals for added flavor. Much like the relationship between beer and craft beer, craft gin doesn’t have a strict definition, but it's typically produced by smaller distilleries. Unlike large-scale producers, craft distilleries often focus on creating unique characteristics or signature flavors that set their brand apart.

Japan's distinct seasons and diverse geography, stretching from north to south, along with its long brewing history, provide the ideal environment for gin production. Additionally, the variety of native plants found in Japan plays a key role in creating unique gin flavors. Here are ten noteworthy Japanese gins that highlight how they stand out from their Western counterparts.

1. The Kyoto Distillery: Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin

The Kyoto Distillery, the city’s first craft gin producer, is known for its signature creation, Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin. Unlike traditional European gins, it uses white rice as its base and incorporates 11 botanical ingredients, including yuzu, lemon, sansho pepper, ginger, and gyokuro tea.

These botanicals are categorized into six groups, distilled separately, and then blended with Kyoto's renowned Fushimi water, resulting in a distinctly Japanese gin that reflects the elegance of all four seasons.

While it’s delightful on the rocks or with tonic water, Ki No Bi can also be served with hot water (around 90°C) in a 1:1 ratio, making it an excellent companion to Japanese cuisine.

2. Suntory: Roku Gin

The internationally renowned Japanese distillery Suntory, known for its iconic beers and whiskies, had also made a name for itself in the gin sector. Their craft creation, Roku Gin, features six classic Japanese botanicals, including cherry blossoms, blended with a gin base extracted from eight traditional botanicals such as juniper berries.

Melticiously crafted by expert distillers, this aromatic gin offers a balanced and fresh flavor profile. A testament to exceptional craftsmanship, Roku Gin is Japan's best-selling gin.

3. Ethical Spirits: Ethical Gin Last Series

Ethical Spirits created the Ethical Gin Last Series, crafted with a focus on environmental sustainability. This unique gin is distilled from sake lees, repurposing what would otherwise be discarded during sake production.

The series features two distinct gins: Ethical Gin Last Elegant, crafted with ten botanicals like lavender and hibiscus, delivers a perfume-like aroma with notable spice notes. Meanwhile, Ethical Gin Last Elysium blends three types of citrus with ginger and chamomile, creating a refreshing profile with layered citrus and rich fruit flavors.

4. Ethical Spirits: Ethical Gin Revive Series

The Ethical Gin Revive Series by Ethical Spirits is another remarkable creation. Developed during the Covid-19 pandemic, this series transforms beer and whisky past their prime into gin through redistillation—an innovative approach to reducing waste.

The series includes Revive from IPA, distilled from Chicago-made IPA beer. It preserves the beer’s rich fruity notes and hop flavors, complemented by a refreshing hint of lemon. With its higher alcohol content, it pairs perfectly with spicy ginger ale.

Revive from Hoegaarden is distilled from the renowned Belgian beer Hoegaarden, featuring fresh aromas of lemon peel, citrus, and coriander seeds—perfect for mixing with tonic water.

5. Sakurao Distillery: Sakurao Gin

Located in Hiroshima Prefecture, the Sakurao Distillery combines century-old distilling techniques with modern innovation. Their Sakurao Original Gin features a blend of citrus fruits, hinoki cypress, and shiso, while the pink-hued Sakurao Limited Gin incorporates cherry blossoms, Japanese juniper berries, and even oyster shells, creating a fragrant spirit ideal for sipping neat or mixing in cocktails.

6. Nozawa Onsen Distillery: Nozawa Gin

Nozawa Onsen, located in northern Nagano Prefecture, is a charming village of about 3,000 residents known for its ski resorts, hot springs, and the award-winning Nozawa Onsen Distillery, which produces internationally acclaimed gin and whisky.

Their signature Nozawa Gin has a forest-like aroma that evokes a calming, tranquil sensation just from its scent. The smooth finish combines juniper, cedar, and lemon notes, perfect for sipping straight or mixing with sparkling water. Embark on a forest journey with this unique gin.

7. Nozawa Onsen Distillery: Iwai Gin

Nozawa Onsen Distillery’s Iwai Gin celebrates the essence of spring, featuring Kumamoto-grown Meyer lemons, plums, and cherry blossom leaves. This creates a fresh aroma and a well-balanced flavor that captures the spirit of the season. When mixed with tonic water, the subtle notes of plum and apple tree blossoms really come to life.

8. Nozawa Onsen Distillery: Classic Dry Gin

The Classic Dry Gin stays true to the traditional dry gin style with an intentionally higher alcohol content. It features Hiroshima-grown Villa Franca lemons, known for their mild bitterness, offering a crisp, clean taste. The addition of Japanese sansho pepper elevates the lemon aroma, making it perfect for a refreshing martini.

If you’re having trouble choosing from Nozawa Onsen Distillery's continuously expanding gin lineup, we recommend Nozawa Onsen Distillery's Craft Gin Tasting Set. This set includes 200-mililiter bottles of four different gin styles, making it a great option for both gifting and personal enjoyment.

9. Suntory: Gin Sui

In addition to the well-known Roku Gin, the renowned Suntory brand offers a more affordable option called Gin Sui. It features familiar Japanese ingredients like green tea, yuzu citrus, and ginger, offering a refreshing taste that pairs well with a variety of cuisines.

It’s widely available at supermarkets and convenience stores, and Gin Sui also comes in ready-to-drink carbonated cans. You'll often find Gin Sui-based cocktails at izakaya pubs, too.

10. Niseko Distillery: Ohoro Gin

The Ohoro Gin from Niseko Distillery in snowy Hokkaido gets its name from the Ainu word ohoro, meaning "continue," symbolizing the distillery’s hope for the spirit’s lasting appreciation. Blending Hokkaido-grown willowherb, Japanese mint, and aromatic herbs, this gin offers a refreshing taste with citrus notes.

Its unique flavor profile earned it the title of the World's Best Gin at the World Gin Awards 2024, as well as the prestigious Trophy award in the gin category at the International Spirits Challenge 2024. It's definitely a must-try for gin fans.

How to enjoy Japanese gin: 3 simple cocktail recipes

Gin, a distilled spirit packed with botanical flavors, typically has an alcohol content of 40 percent or higher. While purists enjoy it on the rocks to savor its complex aromas, those who prefer a milder drink can mix it with tonic or sparkling water. Here are three simple cocktail recipes to enhance your gin experience:

• Gin Fizz: Fill a glass with ice, add 45ml gin, 25ml lemon juice, and 10g sugar or syrup, then top with sparkling water.
• Orange Blossom: Fill a glass with ice, combine 45ml gin with orange juice (recommended ratio 1:3,) and garnish with fresh orange slices.
• Gimlet: In a shaker, combine 45ml gin and 15ml lime juice, fill with ice to 80 percent, shake for 15-20 seconds, and strain into a glass.

Buy Japanese gins and popular snacks on WAmazing Shop

After browsing Japan's must-buy gins, don't forget to grab some popular Japanese snacks that pair well with your drink.

Before your trip, pre-order all your favorites tax-free on WAmazing Shop. Before heading home, you can simply pick them up from designated self-service lockers at airports and train stations. 

In addition to tax-free prices, you can save even more with special discount coupons and offers for specific bank cardholders. No more spending precious travel time hunting for souvenirs—you can easily purchase all your favorite items from all over Japan in one go.

*Consuming alcohol under the age of 20 is prohibited by Japanese law, and these regulations also apply to international visitors and foreign residents in Japan. Please enjoy alcohol responsibly and don’t drive after drinking. Please also check the alcohol import allowance of your country before bringing them back into your country.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.