Everything you need to know about Shinshu Mars Distillery

A brief History

Shinshu Mars, Japan. Founded in 1985.

Shinshu Mars Distillery sits high up in the Japanese Alps in Nagano, and that setting shapes everything about the whisky. It was first opened in 1985 by Hombo Shuzo, a company with a long background in drinks production.

The location is unusual — it’s one of the highest distilleries in Japan, surrounded by mountains, clean air, and cooler temperatures compared to other parts of the country. That cooler climate slows down maturation slightly, giving the whisky more time to develop in a controlled way.

Production wasn’t always continuous. The distillery paused operations in the 1990s due to lower demand for whisky in Japan, before restarting in 2011 as interest picked up again. Since then, Shinshu Mars has become a key name in Japanese whisky, known for a style that sits somewhere between light and structured.

Explore all Japanese Whisky

Taste Profile


Oaky / Woody	Fruity	Sweet

Shinshu Mars whiskies tend to be clean and well-balanced. You’ll often notice orchard fruit like apple and pear, followed by a gentle honey sweetness.

The oak comes through steadily rather than aggressively, adding structure without overpowering the lighter notes. Compared to some other Japanese whiskies, there’s a slightly more noticeable depth here, but it still keeps that smooth, precise character.

Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients

	Apple / Pear
	Oak / Wood Spice
	Honey
	Vanilla

The Distillery

The Distiller: Shinshu Mars

Address: 4752-31, Miyada, Kamiina District, Nagano 399-4301, Japan

Open in Maps

house.suntory.com

+81 75 962 1423

Visitor Centre & Opening Times

Yes — Shinshu Mars has a visitor centre.

Typical opening hours

Daily
Around 09:00 – 16:00

Visitors can tour the distillery and sample the whisky, with views across the surrounding mountains.

Ownership History

Owner

Hombo Shuzo

Founded

1985

Production Pause

1990s

Restarted

2011

The distillery remains part of a long-established Japanese drinks company.

Distillery Facts

Overview & History

Mars Shinshu Distillery is located in the Japanese Alps in Nagano Prefecture, making it one of the highest whisky distilleries in Japan.

It was originally opened in 1985 by Hombo Shuzo but was mothballed in 1992 due to low demand for Japanese whisky at the time. As global interest in Japanese whisky grew, the distillery was reopened in 2011.

Today, it forms the core of Mars Whisky’s production, alongside other facilities such as Tsunuki Distillery in southern Japan.

Production

Spirit Type: Japanese single malt whisky
Stills: Copper pot stills
Water Source: Granite-filtered mountain water
Climate: Cool alpine climate (slower maturation)
Cask Policy: Wide range including bourbon, sherry, wine, and Japanese oak

The high-altitude environment leads to slower, more gradual maturation compared to warmer regions.

Whisky Style

Mars Shinshu whiskies typically show:

Medium body
Clean malt character
Orchard fruit (apple, pear)
Honey and vanilla
Light spice and gentle oak

The style is generally elegant and balanced, reflecting the cooler maturation conditions.

Key Expressions

Mars Komagatake – Flagship single malt series
Mars Cosmo – Blended malt whisky
Limited single cask and annual releases

Komagatake releases often vary by vintage and cask type.

Significance

Mars Shinshu is a key example of the revival of Japanese whisky production. Its reopening reflects the broader resurgence of the category globally.

The distillery’s high-altitude location and cool climate differentiate it from other Japanese producers, contributing to a more delicate and refined maturation style.