Japan's Craft Gin Revolution: Its Origins and Present
It's well known that Japanese craft gin is currently attracting attention from around the world. Originally, gin was strongly associated with traditional British or Dutch spirits. However, around the 2010s, Japanese distillers took on the challenge of expressing "what is uniquely Japanese" through botanicals, and the Japanese craft gin market expanded globally, with there now being over 100 craft gin distilleries in the country.
Among these, one of the first prestigious Japanese gins to be recognized worldwide is Kyoto Distillery's "Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin." Kyoto Distillery, which entered into a capital alliance with Pernod Ricard in 2020, opened a new production base in Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture this year. We had the opportunity to visit the distillery, so we would like to introduce the distillery's commitment and the appeal of "Ki No Bi."
Craft gin born from Japanese aesthetics begins in Kyoto
As mentioned earlier, the reason why Japanese craft gin has gained recognition around the world is that it utilizes whiskey and shochu distillation techniques and incorporates local ingredients such as yuzu, gyokuro, sansho pepper, cherry blossom leaves, and cypress, giving the aroma and flavor a sense of the four seasons of Japan.And it has been recognized as a new genre.
For example, lavender in Hokkaido, citrus fruits in the Setouchi region, and Sakurajima mandarin oranges and brown sugar in Kyushu. Japanese gin is evolving to reflect the climate and water quality of each region, becoming a "taste experience that captures the local climate."
The newly built distillery is decorated like a gallery, with history and photographs on display.
"Ki No Bi Kyoto Craft Gin" began at the Kyoto Distillery, which was established in Fushimi, Kyoto, as a dedicated gin distillery in 2014. "Ki No Bi" is a name that expresses the Japanese sensibility of "finding beauty in the changing of the seasons," and Kyoto, a place with abundant water, climate, and artisan culture, was deemed the perfect location for the distillery.
At Kinobi House in Kyoto City, you can taste a variety of gins from Kyoto Distillery.
Its distinctive feature is the 11 carefully selected botanicals it contains.
Distillery operations manager Mitsusuke Endo says, "We use ingredients unique to Japan, such as juniper berries, yuzu, red pine, gyokuro green tea, sansho pepper, red shiso, and ginger, many of which are produced locally in Kyoto. For example, the distillery staff hand-pick the yuzu and peel them themselves. They are particular about how thick the skin should be, which is difficult to do with machines."
Distillation operations manager Mitsusuke Endo.
The liquid (not for sale) is made by distilling the 11 botanicals used in "Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin" into six elements. You can actually sample these elements at "Ki No Bi House" in Kyoto City.
What is particularly noteworthy is the unique method of dividing the ingredients into six elements - "Base," "Citrus," "Tea," "Herbal," "Spicy," and "Fruity & Floral" - and distilling each separately before blending them together. This creates a layered aroma and a delicate harmony of flavors.
The water used for mixing is from Masuda Tokubei Shoten, the brewery behind Tsuki no Katsura sake, located in Fushimi, a region famous for its water. "Because it is a mild, naturally soft water, it gives the drink a rounded, rounded taste," the company says.
Kyoto Distillery's new challenge to the world
In the fall of 2025, the Kyoto Distillery entered a new chapter.
A new distillery facility surrounded by rich nature has been opened at the distillery in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City. A jet-black building suddenly appears in the tranquil scenery, the same black as the KI No Bi bottle. Inside the facility, the walls are decorated with patterns supervised by KIRA KARACHO, which are also used on the packaging of KI No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin, and on the staircase there are illustrations depicting the history of KI No Bi as well as the scenery of Kameoka City, giving the facility a playful feel.
A newly built distillery in Kameoka City, surrounded by rich nature.
The total investment in the construction of this facility was approximately 25 million euros. Production capacity has been expanded by more than five times, and automated equipment and an environmentally friendly design have also been introduced. When I ask people who have visited craft gin distilleries around the world, I hear that there are few distilleries in the world that have facilities of this magnitude.
Kyoto Distillery President Nagai Hiroyuki said, "We felt that there was a limit to the production volume of our existing distillery, so we searched extensively for a potential site for our new distillery and finally settled on Kameoka City. Not only is it highly convenient, being only a 20-minute drive from Kyoto City, but the mayor of Kameoka is very proactive in promoting sustainable measures. This was one of the main reasons we chose Kameoka, as his philosophy is similar to ours. 100% of the electricity used at the distillery is generated by renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectric, solar, and geothermal energy."
Furthermore, it has been said that they are considering taking advantage of this natural environment to develop new botanicals. The Kameoka distillery will not only expand production, but will also serve as a new testing ground for KI No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin.
The sight of the rows of tanks is impressive, storing everything from the base spirit to the various elements after distillation, and even the finished gin after blending.
Daiko Nagai, CEO of Kyoto Distillery.
KI NO BI House as a place for experience
The distillery is not open to the public, but anyone can visit the brand's home, Kinobi House, located in Kawaramachi, Kyoto, where they can experience the charm of Kinobi.
Kinobi House is a traditional Japanese house.
The space, which was renovated from a Kyoto townhouse that is over 100 years old, is filled with shops and bars, as well as botanical exhibits, an introduction to the manufacturing process, and a "Gin Palace" for members where they can enjoy tastings of limited edition gin, allowing visitors to experience the Kyoto Distillery's commitment and the brand's worldview.
In addition, starting in mid-December, a Kyoto Craft Seminar will be held every Thursday, where you can create your own original "Ki No Bi" bottle label.
In addition to the "Kin no Bi" workshop, where you can apply gold leaf to the label of a 200ml bottle of "Kin no Bi" using gold leaf from "Horikinpakuko" located near "Kin no Bi House," you can also enjoy drinking "Kin no Bi" with water and other drinks. Of course, you can take home your own "Kin no Bi" once you have completed it, making it a memorable experience.
On the first floor, in the "Ki No Bi" room, you can enjoy comparing KI No Bi drinks and cocktails.
On the second floor is the "Exhibition Room" exhibition room where you can learn about the history of gin and the "Ki No Bi" production method.
At the back of the first floor is the members-only lounge "GIN PALACE."
The Kyoto Craft Seminar, where you can enjoy the Golden Beauty Bottle Experience and seasonal beauty cocktails, is available at Table Check.Under reservation acceptance.
As a Japanese person, I am very pleased that Japanese craft gin is attracting attention worldwide.
We hope that many people will learn about and experience the world of "Ki No Bi," which is filled with Japanese materials, sensibilities, and aesthetic sense.
Kinobi House
358 Shimizucho, Kawaramachi-dori Nijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Text by Yuko Taniguchi
Yuko Taniguchi
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