Where awamori is made

Awamori is made by distilleries in Okinawa Prefecture; 46 awamori makers were covered by Okinawa's liquor-tax relief (as of the end of March 2021, according to the Cabinet Office); the Okinawa distillers' association lists 45 distilleries plus its cooperative (as of 28 September 2026). They are spread over the main island of Okinawa and outer islands such as Miyako, Ishigaki, Kume, Izena and Yonaguni.

The "Ryukyu" geographical indication

Awamori made with Okinawan water only, and fermented, distilled, stored and bottled in Okinawa, may carry the geographical indication (GI) "Ryukyu". Its koji is made with the black koji mould Aspergillus luchuensis (awamori-kin). Designated on 30 June 1995, it is one of Japan's oldest spirit GIs. "Ryukyu awamori" on a label is this GI.

Okinawa's main island

Most distilleries are on the main island. Under the kingdom, awamori could only be made in three districts near Shuri Castle, the "Shuri sanka"; Shuri is now part of Naha, which still has many distilleries. There are distilleries all over the island, from Yanbaru in the north to Itoman in the south.

Miyako

Miyako Island (Miyakojima City) has several distilleries. KIKI's catalogue lists awamori from Kikunotsuyu, Taragawa, Ikema, Tokuyama, Okinohikari and Miyanohana, among others.

Yaeyama (Ishigaki, Yonaguni and more)

Ishigaki (Ishigaki City) has distilleries such as Seifuku, Yaesen, Takamine, Ikehara and Nakama. Hateruma Island in Taketomi Town has a distillery too, which makes "Awanami".

On Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost island, distillers make hanazake (花酒): 60 % spirit from the strong first part of the distillation. Above 45 %, awamori is classed as "raw-material alcohol" (原料用アルコール) under the Liquor Tax Act, though it may still be labelled awamori.

Kume and Izena

Kumejima (Kumejima Town) and Izena (Izena Village) have distilleries too, and their awamori carries the islands' names.

For all shochu and awamori regions, see Shochu and awamori regions.