On Our Radar: Artisanal Gin From Japan’s Setouchi Region

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The Inland Sea is an artisanal gin produced with local ingredients–and one of many reasons to visit Setouchi in Japan.

Japan is a multifaceted destination home to everything from fantastic fashion and foodie finds, to rich history and culture. And while Tokyo and Kyoto might get the bulk of attention from travellers, the Setouchi region offers its own treasure trove of reasons to visit.

Comprised of seven prefectures and hundreds of islands by the Seto Inland Sea, this diverse region is an intriguing blend of culture, food, laidback charm and awe-inspiring landscapes–but that’s not all. Setouchi is also becoming known for its craft gin, made entirely with ingredients local to the region.

The Inland Sea is a gin that takes full advantage of the fact Setouchi is blessed with fertile land ideal for producing the botanical ingredients that give the gin its unique and refreshing flavour, meant to be reminiscent of the sea that surrounds the region.

More than nine kinds of botanical are used to create the gin, including grapes from Okayama, lemons and ginger from Ehime, Yuzu and kelp from Tokushima, tea, Kuromoji and coriander from Okayama, as well as a special Japanese pepper from Hiroshima and underground water from the Asahi River. These ingredients all come together to create a clean yet subtly fruity flavour almost as unique as Setouchi itself.

Much of what makes this area so special stems from its numerous islands, many of which have their own customs, art and traditions. The Inland Sea gin is blended at the Okayama Distillery of Miyashita Shuzo, a century-old distillery steeped in history. The original production line was limited to 450 bottles but is now widely available in Japan.

If you’re planning a visit to Japan, put artisanal gin Setouchi on your list and enjoy a locally-made gin as you soak up the epic scenery. To get the most out of the flavour, simply pour and mix with soda. Check out setouchifinder.com/en.