Kaikyo Distillery

Kaikyo Distillery — Where East Meets West, in Every Drop

A Distillery Born from Two Worlds

Some spirits tell a story. 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin tells a chapter of history. Crafted at the Kaikyo Distillery in Akashi City, Japan, this extraordinary gin bridges the classic structure of London Dry with the refined elegance of authentic Japanese botanicals, creating something that is neither purely Eastern nor Western, but entirely its own.

Inspired by the Taishō era, a brief but transformative period in Japanese history when Eastern tradition and Western influence merged in unexpected and beautiful ways, 135° East Gin is not a replication of a style. It is a reimagination of one, seen through a cultural lens shaped by curiosity, innovation and deep-rooted heritage.

Master Distiller Kimio Yonezawa — A Craftsman with Vision

At the heart of Kaikyo Distillery is Master Distiller Kimio Yonezawa, a man who understands that the finest spirits are born from both knowledge and instinct. With meticulous care, he selected a foundation of classic European botanicals, juniper, coriander and angelica root and harmonised them with five signature Japanese ingredients: yuzu, shiso leaf, sansho pepper, chrysanthemum and Japanese cedar wood.

What sets his approach apart is the distillation method itself. Rather than processing all botanicals together, each one is distilled individually using vacuum distillation, a technique adapted from luxury perfumery. This preserves the purity and intensity of every aroma, allowing each botanical to express itself with absolute clarity. A subtle addition of distilled junmai sake rounds out the flavour with a smooth, refined finish that could only come from Japan.

The Taishō Era — A State of Mind

The Taishō period ran from 1912 to 1926, brief, but deeply transformative. As Japan shifted into a more progressive and outward-looking identity, art, music, fashion and literature began absorbing new ideas from the West. European art deco mingled with Japanese minimalism. Tokyo cafés filled with jazz. Democratic ideals gained momentum and cultural expression expanded in every direction.

Rather than overshadowing local identity, Western influence intertwined with tradition to create something original. That harmonious exchange became the defining spirit of the Taishō era and it directly informs the philosophy behind 135° East Gin.

For Kimio Yonezawa, the Taishō era represents more than a historical reference. It reflects a state of mind, driven by openness, exploration and reinvention. Each bottle embodies that mindset.

135° East — A Name with Purpose

The name is no coincidence. The 135th meridian east passes directly through Akashi City in Hyogo Prefecture, the home of Kaikyo Distillery. It serves as a geographical symbol of direction, discovery and crossing borders. The very values that define this distillery and everything it creates.

Rooted in Heritage, Built for the World

Kaikyo Distillery is part of the historic Akashi Sake Brewery, which has been producing premium sake and liqueurs since 1856. That deep expertise in fermentation, distillation and blending provides a unique foundation, one that allows the distillery to craft spirits with both technical precision and cultural depth.

This connection to heritage is not a limitation. It is a superpower.

Discover Kaikyo Distillery — Available for International Trade

Importers, distributors and retailers looking for a premium Japanese craft gin with extraordinary depth, cultural resonance and a story unlike any other can discover Kaikyo Distillery on The Gin Genie, the international gin discovery platform connecting craft producers with the global trade and hospitality industry.

Where East meets West. Where tradition meets innovation. Where every sip tells a story.

That is 135° East Hyogo Dry Gin.

カイキョウ蒸留所の135イースト・ジンは、ザ・ジン・ジーニーでご覧いただけます — 世界中のクラフトジン生産者とインポーターをつなぐ国際的なディスカバリープラットフォーム」