Yakushima Densho Gura Shochu Distillery

Shochu is distilled liquor especially popular inKyushu. It is typically made from rice, barley, buckwheat, and sweet potatoes orbrown sugar. On Yakushima, it is generally made from sweet potatoes, which givesit a distinctive smell and smoky flavor.

The quality of shochu depends greatly on water conditionswhich makes the island of Yakushima, with is pristine waters, a logical choice toset up a distillery. The Yakushima Densho Gura Shochu Distillery, the main liquorproducer on the island, was founded by the Hombo Company and started producing shochu on Yakushima in 1960. At the distillery,visitors can learn about the shochu brewingprocess, while the shop offers tastings of a variety of shochu as well as other liquors, such as sangria and whiskey made fromlocal products.