[A New Standard Set by a UK Award-Winning Yakiniku Restaurant] Shiraoi Beef from “Amano Family Farm” and hard-to-find Japanese whiskeys— “Taketsuru,” “Yoichi,” and “Miyagikyo”— Highballs featuring these brands will see significant price cuts starting in July 2026!

In Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido, Amano Family Farm Co., Ltd. (President: Katsuhito Amano), which engages in the purchase of whole Shiraoi cattle, their sale, andrestaurant operations in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido (Representative Director: Katsuhito Amano), will implement a significant price revision (reduction) for its highball menu at its “Amano Family Farm” yakiniku restaurant in conjunction with the long weekend in July 2026.

In response to the ongoing price hikes caused by a global shortage of base spirits, the company has deliberately set special new regular prices for highballs featuring Nikka Whisky’s three major premium brands: “Taketsuru,” “Yoichi,” and “Miyagikyo.”Rather than a limited-time event, this will serve as the restaurant’s “new standard”—available anytime—and will be served alongside the exquisite Shiraoi beef, which has been highly acclaimed at British awards.

A miraculous pairing of premium Shiraoi beef and the three major whiskies (Taketsuru, Yoichi, and Miyagikyo)

■ Three Key Points of This Release (News Summary)

1. A Trinity of History and Origin

“Yoichi” from Hokkaido, “Miyagikyo” from Sendai—Hokkaido’s sister city—and “Taketsuru,” a blend of the two. A truly exceptional, fated pairing of meat and whisky.

2. Extreme Rarity

A miraculous gathering of Nikka Whisky’s three major premium brands—Taketsuru, Yoichi, and Miyagikyo—which are difficult to find even at liquor stores.

3. Generous Returns with Profit Set Aside

Unless there are significant fluctuations in the purchase price, we will offer these at the same price at all times as our “new standard price,” with no time limit.

■ Background: The Expansion of the Highball Market and Our 170-Year Bond with Our “Sister City, Sendai”

In recent years, the global popularity of Japanese whiskey has continued to grow, and the domestic highball market has expanded further. Although our store is located in a town with a population of just 15,000, we have been highly regarded both domestically and internationally as a “destination worth making a special trip for” (destination-based management), attracting as many as 24,000 visitors annually.

Ahead of the peak summer tourist season, our decision to significantly lower prices on domestic premium whiskeys and expand our lineup stems from our gratitude to everyone who has supported us, as well as our deep commitment to the region’s heritage and history.

“Yoichi,” a single malt nurtured by the same Hokkaido soil that produces the Shiraoi Beef we are so proud of.And the newly introduced “Miyagikyo” is a whisky nurtured in “Sendai,” our historic sister city, with which we share such deep ties that the Sendai Domain built its former administrative headquarters there in Ansei 3 (1856), marking that year as the town’s “founding.”Furthermore, the premier pure malt “Taketsuru” is the very “crystalization of this bond”—born from the meeting and blending of base spirits crafted at these two locations: Hokkaido (Yoichi) and Sendai (Miyagikyo).

We have decided to implement this price adjustment because we want you to be able to casually enjoy—with a sense of wonder—this luxurious dining experience, where the soil and environment of the same region, along with the bonds of these historic sister cities forged with sincerity, harmonize as one in your glass—especially now, when the cost of living continues to rise.

(Note: Why are “Taketsuru,” “Yoichi,” and “Miyagikyo” so rare?)

These are the premier brands proudly offered by “Nikka Whisky,” founded by Masataka Taketsuru, the “Father of Japanese Whisky.”In recent years, Japanese whiskey has swept international awards and is experiencing an explosive boom overseas. However, because maturation takes many years, there is a shortage of base spirits, and prices have skyrocketed as these “elusive premium whiskeys” are unavailable on the general market.

■ Details on New and Old Prices and Menu (Effective July 2026)

Nationwide, establishments where you can taste-compare these three varieties simultaneously are extremely rare. We are pleased to offer these supreme highballs, each showcasing its own unique character, at unbeatable new prices in accordance with our updated menu. (*All prices include tax)

・Taketsuru (Pure Malt) Highball

[New Price] 960 yen (Old Price: 1,220 yen)

Characteristics: Soft malt aroma; sweet, vanilla-like barrel-aged notes

・Yoichi (Single Malt) Highball

[New Price] 920 yen (Old Price: 1,120 yen)

Characteristics: Rich body and peaty aroma; characterized by a harmonious, long finish

・Miyagikyo (Single Malt) Highball

[Special Price] 920 yen (*New Arrival)

Features: Smoky aroma and robust body

*Please note that these prices are subject to change only in the event of unforeseen shortages of base spirits or sudden spikes in procurement costs. We appreciate your understanding.

■ The Synergy of “Shiraoi Beef”—Winner of a UK Award for Four Consecutive Years—and the “Supreme Highball”

If the “Michelin Guide,” with its 100-year history, is a symbol of tradition and prestige, the UK’s “LUXlife” is a global benchmark for measuring “true customer satisfaction” in the digital age.In this award—which is entirely merit-based and does not accept any advertising—our restaurant has achieved the prestigious honor of being the only Japanese yakiniku restaurant to win “four consecutive years (2023–2026).”Our previous press release announcing this remarkable achievement garnered a significant response, ranking third in breaking news and fifth in the weekly access rankings on the distribution site.

We meticulously prepare the supreme Shiraoi beef—sliced with precision according to our artisans’ philosophy of “never killing the meat twice”—and grill it to juicy perfection over charcoal-fired far-infrared heat.The sweetness of its high-quality fat and the exquisite meat juices are perfectly complemented by a crisp highball featuring Yoichi from Hokkaido, Miyagikyo from our sister city Sendai, and Taketsuru—a blend of both—creating a blissful pairing that further enhances the meat’s umami.At our standalone restaurant in Shiraoi Town, surrounded by nature, please indulge to your heart’s content in world-class hospitality.

A crystal trophy attesting to four consecutive years of winning a British award

Shiraoi Beef, hand-sliced one piece at a time by President Amano himself, who carefully assesses the grain of the meat. We cook it to perfection using our signature authentic charcoal-grilling method.

■ A Message from Katsuhito Amano, Owner

“It has been 27 years since we opened in 1999. It is not through my own strength alone that I have been able to carry on this restaurant—which my mother founded—from 2021 to the present day, building upon these miraculous years; it is thanks to the support of the local community and my colleagues, with whom I constantly strive to improve together.

Shiraoi Town and Sendai City are cherished sister cities with deep historical ties—so much so that we designate the year Ansei 3, when the former military garrison was built, as our town’s ‘founding year.’ The local ‘Yoichi,’ Sendai’s ‘Miyagikyo’—bound by a deep bond—and ‘Taketsuru,’ born from the precise blending of these two.With such a story of unity, this sake is bound to pair perfectly with our Shiraoi beef. We are committed to continuing to offer this miraculous pairing at a new price—not as a one-time event, but as a “new standard” that you can enjoy anytime. We sincerely look forward to welcoming you to our restaurant.”

■ Company & Store Overview

Store Name: Amano Family Farm

Representative: Katsuhito Amano, Representative Director

Address: 766-126 Aza Shiraoi, Shiraoi-cho, Shiraoi-gun, Hokkaido 059-0900

Access: 4 minutes by car from the Shiraoi Interchange on the Hokkaido Central Expressway

Hours: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM (Last Order 2:30 PM) / 4:00 PM–8:00 PM (Last Order 7:30 PM)

Closed: Wednesdays, the third Thursday of each month, and year-end/New Year holidays

Seating Capacity: 52 seats inside, 24 seats on the terrace (May–October only)

Parking: Available (20 spaces)

Official Website: https://www.amano-family-farm.com/restaurant.html

Log cabin-style exterior surrounded by Hokkaido’s great outdoors