Population 17,124 [May, 30 2024] Yoichi is located northwest of Sapporo, a 1-hour and 20-minute train ride or a 1-hour and 10-minute drive away. It is also less than 30 minutes by train or car from Otaru. Yoichi flourished as a port city for herring fishing, particularly from the Edo period through the Taisho era (1910s). In addition to fishing, agriculture, especially fruit production, is renowned here, including apples, cherries, grapes, strawberries, and more. This is where the first Japanese whiskey was produced, now famous worldwide as Nikka Whiskey, founded by Masataka Taketsuru in 1934. The story of Masataka and … Continue reading Yoichi Town