#Japan #Shinjuku #Plinius #Mt. Mitake #Charity Bottles

Supporting Kumamoto Earthquake Recovery through Charitable Bottles

Royal Mile Co., Ltd., based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, has announced the introduction of charity bottles as part of the "Mt. Mitake Hanging Scroll Series" of whiskey. This initiative aims to contribute to the recovery efforts from the devastating Kumamoto earthquake that occurred in Reiwa 8. Sales for these charity bottles are set to begin later this month, promising to make a significant impact on the recovery process.

The Charity Bottles: How They Work

The special charity bottles will be offered at the regular price, with an additional contribution of 500 yen from customers. Royal Mile will match this amount, leading to a total donation of 1,000 yen for each bottle sold. This combined effort will see the proceeds directed to the "Kumamoto Earthquake Disaster Fund" of the Kagoshima Prefectural Chapter of the Japanese Red Cross. The collected donations will be transferred before the cutoff date on October 30, 2026.

The Background: A Valuable Lesson from a Seminar

The genesis of this charitable initiative emerged from a special seminar titled "Mt. Mitake Distillery Special Seminar" held on August 1, 2026, at the BAR Shinjuku Whiskey Salon. The seminar featured the brewing director from the Mt. Mitake Distillery, who discussed their acclaimed whiskeys and the art of Japanese whiskey-making. Participants learned about the passion and challenges faced in producing these spirits.

However, behind the scenes, the harsh realities of the earthquake were evident. Bottles and materials necessary for the seminar were supposed to be shipped from Kagoshima, but due to the seismic impact, logistics were halted and the shipment was blocked. Fortunately, the whisky was delivered directly by the staff, while other materials were urgently sourced in Tokyo, allowing the seminar to proceed as initially planned.

The Mt. Mitake Distillery managed to resume normal operations, suffering minimal damage. We were relieved to learn that all involved were safe, yet the experience underscored that the earthquake's effects reached far beyond just the affected areas, impacting transportation, business activities, and relationships.

Turning Relief into Action

Our relief and gratitude for successfully hosting the seminar ignited a strong desire to give back. After learning about the fundraising efforts for earthquake victims in Kagoshima and Kagoshima City, we decided to align ourselves with this initiative by adding the charity bottle sales. This effort is a way of saying that we stand in solidarity with those who have suffered.

A Message from Kazunori Shizutani, President of Royal Mile

Kazunori Shizutani expresses, "This initiative is a project designed to allow our customers to participate in recovery support through whisky. Having the opportunity to connect with the distillers and feel their passion made it impossible for us to view the earthquake's impact as someone else's problem.

Experiencing the logistics breakdown firsthand made us realize the value of continuity in our everyday lives. We wish to translate our gratitude for hosting the seminar into actionable support. A glass of whisky carries not only the distiller's intention but also the memories and thoughts of the person enjoying it. We sincerely hope that the resonating sentiments from this glass can expand the support for the disaster-affected areas.

Details of the Charity Bottles

• - Target Product: Mt. Mitake Hanging Scroll Series (Limited to 200 charity bottle units)
• - Sales Start Date: Scheduled for late August 2026.
• - Purchase Method: Available on the Royal Mile online store.
• - Donation Mechanism: Each bottle sold will contribute a total of 1,000 yen, consisting of a 500 yen customer contribution matched by Royal Mile.
• - Charity Recipient: Japanese Red Cross, Kagoshima Prefectural Chapter, for the "Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake Disaster Fund."
• - Donation Deadline: Contributions will be responsibly transferred before the deadline of October 30, 2026.

By purchasing these charity bottles, you can play a part in the recovery journey of the earthquake-affected communities.

For more information about the charity bottles, click [here].