MMoving to Japan

Bringing Whisky to Japan

I got quite the collection of bourbon. I heard I can bring three 750mL bottles of bourbon on the plane? Is this correct?

As for the other bottles, are there consumer permits I can get to have the remainder of my bourbon sent to me?

Any advice would be helpful?

6 comments

  1. Bourbon is cheaper in Japan than it is in the US. Although, niche bottles are obviously difficult or impossible to get hold of.

  2. > I got quite the collection of bourbon. I heard I can bring three 750mL bottles of bourbon on the plane? Is this correct?

    You can bring as much as you want for personal use, though you will have to pay for the extra luggage/weight after a certain point. The first three bottles will be import duty free, after that, it’ll be less than 200 yen per bottle.

    Edit: I stand corrected – it seems you’ll [have no issues when it’s less than 10kg (~10L) total](https://www.customs.go.jp/english/c-answer_e/kojin/3105_e.htm), but I’m not sure what you have to do when it’s above that. The prices I’ve stated still stand.

  3. Japan makes some exceptional whiskies and Scotches. I hope you’ll take the opportunity to try stuff you can’t get outside of Japan, even if they aren’t bourbons.

    I would also recommend visiting at least one distillery, if/when tours become available again. The Nikka distillery in Otaru near Sapporo has an interesting history behind it and the founder has been the subject of at least one [TV series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massan) that I know of. The founder, Masataka Taketsuru, also helps found Suntory’s [Yamazaki Distillery](https://www.suntory.com/factory/yamazaki/?_ga=2.25852413.1791608626.1646611407-1932238686.1646611407), the first malt whisky distillery in Japan. It’s probably more accessible, being closer to Kyoto. I’ve been to the Nikka Distillery, and still beat myself up for not going to the Yamazaki Distillery while I was in Japan.

  6. If you are in Tokyo you must go to Zoetrope Bar in Shinjuku. Best bar for Japanese whisky in Japan probably. You’ll be able to try stuff there that you cannot get anywhere else. The owner speaks English and is very friendly to talk about whisky.

    https://www.worldsbestbars.com/bar/tokyo/city-center/zoetrope-2/

    https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/bars-and-pubs/zoetrope

    Check out their Facebook page for real time openings. Things have been closed due to Covid

    https://www.facebook.com/ShotBarZoetrope/

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