Suntory adds 4 pot stills to meet brisk whisky demand

Suntory adds 4 pot stills to meet brisk whisky demand

HOKUTO, Japan - Two pairs of pot stills newly installed at Suntory Liquors Ltd.'s Hakushu Distillery in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, are shown to the press on Sept. 24, 2014. This was the distiller's first equipment expansion in 33 years designed to meet growing demand for its "Hakushu" brand whisky.

Japanese religious group's hall to keep people's mementos

Japanese religious group's hall to keep people's mementos

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese religious group GLA's hall to keep mementos and remains of the deceased in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, is seen in this undated photo. Funeral customs and traditions have been changing in Japan.

Hokkaido Shinkansen new station named 'Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto'

Hokkaido Shinkansen new station named 'Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto'

SAPPORO, Japan - Hokkaido Railway Co.'s new station building is under construction in Hokuto, Hokkaido, in March 2014. JR Hokkaido announced on June 11, 2014, that the name of the new station for the Hokkaido Shinkansen bullet train is "Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto." The bullet train line is planned to begin operating in 2016 spring.

Asakusa, Hokkaido mascots at Tokyo event

Asakusa, Hokkaido mascots at Tokyo event

TOKYO, Japan - Mascot character "Shin-Nyaka" (R), representing the Shin-Nakamise shopping street in Asakusa, Tokyo, and "Zushi Hokki" from the city of Hokuto, Hokkaido, pose on the street as tourists photograph them on April 17, 2014, during a tourism promotion event.

Ice candle illumination

Ice candle illumination

HAKODATE, Japan - An avenue leading to a Trappist monastery is illuminated by ice candles in Hokuto, Hokkaido, on Dec. 24, 2012.