"When you've overloaded on visiting Shinto and Buddhist temples, head to thissanctuary ofspirits, the ultimate pilgrimage forwhiskey aficionados. The Yamazaki Distillery, established in 1923, is Japan’s first and oldest maker of whiskey.Located just 12 miles outside Kyoto’s city centeron grounds shadedby maples and pines, the distillery is accessible via bus, taxi, or train. Free audio tours are conducted in English and include samples of its smooth range of expressions, which are arguably some of the world’s finest. Many of the spirits here are aged in mizunara (Japanese oak), offering a unique note not found in single malts from Scotland."