Started with one pot still in 1936. Next one in 1938. Today it has seven but the first one not in use since 1988. Operated own malting until 1973. Nowadays only for demonstration purposes. The peat was from the mouth of Ishikari River. At the end of 1980's the older wash backs (wooden units and epoxy lined cast iron tanks) were replaced with ten new in stainless steel. Only distillery in Japan which still coal fires their pot still. Has a mix of worm tubes and shell and tubes. Own cooperage. Not until the mid eighties they started to char the casks. Before only light to medium toasting. They operate from Mars to early June and September to early December.