Wineries of Yamanashi: A taste of Japan’s wine country

Japanese wines are distinctive in character, yet different. Production may not be so different from wine production in other countries, but there is no other place where your wines have grown in the view of Mount Fuji.

So, if you want to see Japanese wine production firsthand, taste the wines where they are grown, and feel how the soil and water form the grapes, where should you go?

Here are five winery visitor centers in Yamanashi, the oldest wine-growing region in Japan, showing the production and history—and, of course, letting you taste the wines.

1. Mars Hosaka Winery

The Mars group may not be famous outside Japan, but they produce modern red wines that remind more of an Australian or New Zealand than Yamanashi. But Chateau Mars also produces fortified and white koshu (white wine grape) wines, which are more fruity and rounded than similar wines from most Japanese producers.

In the Hosaka winery, one of the two group wineries in Yamanashi, you can get a winemaking tour and taste the products in the tasting rooms.

8−1 Kamiimai, Hosakamachi, Nirasaki, Yamanashi - Map

Nearest station: Nirasaki (Yamanashi)

Admission: Tours ¥500, visitor center free. 

Hours: March–November 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., December–February 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

www.hombo.co.jp/factory/mars-hosaka.html

2. Chateau Mercian Katsunuma Winery

Chateau Mercian is one of the largest wine producers in Japan. Their Katsunuma winery doesn’t make everyday table wines, but wines mean that they win international competitions.

Booking a tour in advance lets you go into the vineyards and see the cultivation firsthand, and English guides are available. This winery features views of Mount Fuji from the vineyards and visitor’s center. You can still go through the museum without reservation. There is wooden wine production equipment preserved from when the winery opened in 1904.

1106-1 Katsunumacho Shimoiwasaki, Koshu, Yamanashi - Map

Nearest station: Katsunuma-budokyo

Admission: Free; Tours: ¥3,000 (tasting not included); Premium tour (with tasting), ¥15,000

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tasting and wine shop: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

chateaumercian.com/en/our-wineries/katsunuma

3. Shirayuri Winery

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