Nozawa Onsen Distillery, a craft spirits producer based in Nagano that has won over 20 awards at international competitions, is launching a new canned gin cocktail series called "COCO de BAR" at Lawson stores nationwide starting March 24, 2026.
The concept behind COCO de BAR is "a real bar experience at a convenience store." The series launches with two flavors: Coco de Shikuwasa Gin Tonic and Coco de White Peach Gin Tonic. This marks the second year of collaboration between Nozawa Onsen Distillery and Lawson, Inc., following the "Gin Soda" released last year, and represents a fresh challenge for the regional craft brand to expand its reach across Japan.
What Is COCO de BAR?
COCO de BAR is a gin cocktail series designed to let people enjoy bar-quality gin tonics in everyday settings — at home with a meal, at a home party, or outdoors — without having to visit an actual bar. The series uses Nozawa Onsen Distillery's craft gin as its base, combined with seasonal flavors to create a balance of gin aromatics and fruit.
The two debut products are:
Coco de Shikuwasa Gin Tonic — A dry-style gin tonic combining the refreshing acidity of shikuwasa citrus with a light hint of sansho pepper spice.
- Volume/Container: 350ml / can
- Suggested Retail Price: ¥385 (tax included)
- Alcohol Content: 6%
- Category: No fruit juice / Liqueur (carbonated)
Coco de White Peach Gin Tonic — A fruity gin tonic featuring the soft sweetness and elegant aroma of white peach.
- Volume/Container: 350ml / can
- Suggested Retail Price: ¥385 (tax included)
- Alcohol Content: 6%
- Category: No fruit juice / Liqueur (carbonated)
Comment from Head Distiller Sam
"Following last year's Gin Soda, we developed this as the second collaboration with Lawson. This time, we aimed for flavors that younger drinkers and people who don't normally drink gin can enjoy. The Shikuwasa Gin Tonic has a dry finish with bright citrus and a light sansho pepper kick, while the White Peach Gin Tonic is designed to be juicy and elegant — layering the soft sweetness of peach with the scent of cherry blossom leaves. Through this series, Nozawa Onsen Distillery aims to offer a new way for more people to experience the appeal of craft gin, starting right from their local convenience store."
About Nozawa Onsen Distillery
Nozawa Onsen Distillery opened on December 15, 2022, in a renovated historical factory that once preserved vegetables and produce for the village of Nozawa Onsen in Nagano. Located just a few minutes' walk from the iconic Oyu outdoor hot spring, the distillery offers tours, tastings, and a gift shop, making it a comprehensive destination for visitors.
The distillery uses snowmelt water from Nozawa Onsen Village and botanicals sourced from Nagano Prefecture to produce its craft gins and whisky. Its current gin lineup includes "NOZAWA GIN," "CLASSIC DRY GIN," "IWAI GIN," and "SHISO GIN." In autumn 2025, a collaboration with Obuse Town produced "OBUSE GIN," capturing the flavors of a Nagano autumn. The distillery also produces "DOSO GIN," inspired by the Dosojin Festival — one of Japan's three great fire festivals — which is a beloved tradition in Nozawa Onsen Village.
Nozawa Onsen Distillery has earned more than 20 awards at major international spirits competitions. At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, all four of its craft gins won gold medals from approximately 6,000 entries. The distillery has also received gold awards at the World Gin Awards and the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), and was named "New Distillery of the Year" at the 2023 Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition. In addition to its craft gins, the distillery is expanding single malt whisky production, with a release planned for 2026.
Available at: Lawson and Natural Lawson stores nationwide (excluding Lawson Store 100) from March 24, 2026.
Note: Not available at all store locations. Sold only at stores licensed to sell alcohol.
