TOKYO HACHIOJI DISTILLERY

A New Standard in Japanese Craft Gin

Born on the western edge of Tokyo, surrounded by mountains and nature, Tokyo Hachioji Distillery creates premium Japanese gin that respects tradition while embracing a contemporary Tokyo spirit. Inspired by classic London Dry gin and refined through Japanese craftsmanship, our gins are smooth, balanced, and designed for modern drinking occasions.

Our Story

Tokyo Hachioji Distillery is in Hachioji, a quiet and green suburb on the western edge of Tokyo, where urban life gradually gives way to mountains, forests, and open skies. This unique setting shapes both our philosophy and our pace, calm, deliberate, and deeply connected to nature.

The distillery was founded with a clear ambition: to create a new standard of dry gin from Tokyo. While London Dry gin has long been the global benchmark, we sought to reinterpret this tradition through Japanese sensibility, precision, balance, and respect for detail.

Our approach is shaped by patience rather than speed. We work exclusively with carefully selected dried botanicals, chosen for their consistency and stability, and the distillation process is never rushed. Each batch is guided by experience, quiet focus, and a commitment to achieving the same balance and quality in every bottle.

Founder

Tokyo Hachioji Distillery was founded by Shintaro Nakazawa, a third-generation manufacturer whose family has long been involved in Japanese manufacturing across different industry. Growing up surrounded by production environments where precision, responsibility, and consistency mattered, he developed a deep respect for craftsmanship from an early age.

Rather than following trends, Shintaro chose to create something enduring.

A craft gin distillery rooted in tradition, yet open to global influence. Drawing on his manufacturing background, he brought a disciplined, process-driven mindset to distilling, where small decisions and careful repetition define quality.

By combining European distillation knowledge, German-engineered equipment, and Japanese attention to detail, he established Tokyo Hachioji Distillery as a place where gin is made slowly, thoughtfully, and with purpose. The result is a range of gins that reflect both heritage and a modern Tokyo perspective refined, balanced, and made to be enjoyed over time.

Our Gins

  • Tokyo Hachio Gin Classic

    A refined London Dry style gin with a clean juniper backbone, lifted by Japanese citrus and subtle floral notes. Smooth, balanced, and versatile, Classic is designed for timeless cocktails and everyday enjoyment.

    Awards

  • Tokyo Hachio Gin Elderflower

    Soft, floral, and fresh, Elderflower offers a gentle and approachable expression of gin. Its smooth character makes it ideal for easy drinking, light cocktails, and those new to the category.

    Awards

  • Tokyo Spice Gin

    A distinctive expression with layers of gentle spice and aromatic depth. Tokyo Spice delivers warmth and complexity without overpowering the palate, making it suitable for both cocktails and food pairing.

    Awards

  • Tokyo Hachio Gin Elderflower 47

    A higher-strength expression with added structure and depth. Elderflower 47 offers a richer botanical experience while maintaining balance and smoothness, ideal for premium serves.

    Awards

Craftsmanship

Our gins are produced in small batches using traditional methods and modern German distillation equipment. We use a European corn-based neutral grain spirit that is certified non-GMO, contributing to a clean, smooth mouthfeel.
Every stage of production follows strict Japanese quality standards, ensuring consistency and reliability in every bottle.

Sustainability
& Craft Values

At Tokyo Hachioji Distillery, sustainability is approached through practice rather than claims. We focus on careful sourcing, thoughtful production, and long-term consistency.

By working exclusively with dried botanicals, we can preserve flavor integrity over time and maintain the same profile from batch to batch. Each stage of production is carried out slowly and deliberately, guided by attention to detail rather than volume.

Every bottle is filled, labelled, and finished by a small team with a strong focus on hands-on craftsmanship. This approach helps minimize waste, ensure quality, and maintain the standards and intent behind every bottle we release.

Design & Heritage

Our bottle design reflects Japanese heritage, symbolism, and attention to detail. Each label is printed on traditional washi paper and cut into a distinctive octagonal shape eight sides inspired by “Hachi,” the Japanese word for eight, and a tribute to our home in Hachioji. The octagon represents balance and harmony, values that guide both our design philosophy and our approach to distilling.

The distillery logo features a trombone, symbolizing our founder’s lifelong connection to music. Shintaro Nakazawa owns and organizes his own orchestra and also performs from time to time in big band jazz ensembles. His orchestra brings together people from many professions: doctors, researchers, engineers, accountants, and business leaders, united by music and community.

This idea of harmony lies at the heart of our gin-making. Just as different instruments come together to create a unified sound, carefully selected botanicals are blended to create balance, depth, and character in every gin we produce.

The design is intentionally understated, allowing the spirit inside to speak for itself while offering a refined and quietly distinctive presence on the shelf. Finished on washi paper and completed by hand, each bottle reflects Japanese craftsmanship, musical inspiration, and the belief that true quality is achieved through balance and collaboration.

Location

1213-5 Kunugida-machi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo
193-0942 Japan

Enjoyment

Tokyo Hachioji Gin is created to be enjoyed in many ways: in classic cocktails, simple gin and tonics, or relaxed moments at home. Its smooth and approachable profile appeals to experienced gin drinkers as well as those discovering gin for the first time.

Contact

info@hachio-distillery.jp