Over half of the 70 wineries in the Koshu Valley have tasting rooms. The majority lie in the main central area of Katsunuma, where boutique wineries sit within walking distance of each other between vineyards of overhead grape canopies. Wineries in the northern area of Enzan and Yamanashi-shi offer glimpses of Mt. Fuji, whilst in the south a few wineries can be found interspersed between peach fields. All offer Koshu white wine and most offer a range of other whites, reds, roses and sparkling wines. The majority charge a small amount for tastings. Browse by area or see highlights for our recommendations.
One of the pioneers of dry Koshu wine and perhaps the best-known Japanese winery internationally, making a variety of fine Koshu whites, as well as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Blanc and Chardonnay. Wines from their flagship Cuvee Misawa series, from grapes grown in their Akeno Vineyard in the north of Yamanashi, are particularly sought after and include not only Koshu but excellent traditional method sparkling Chardonnay and Bordeaux blends.
Opening hours: 9:00 - 16:30 Every day (Closed year-end/New Year)
Tastings: Yes (charged)
Website: www.grace-wine.com/en
130-year-old winery with a swish contemporary tasting room and large selection of wines, predominantly from Japanese grapes but also international varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Also has a lovely restaurant called Zelkova - see Dining.
Opening hours: 9:30 - 17:30 Every day (Closed year-end/New Year)
Tastings: Yes (charged)
Website: www.lumiere.jp/en
It is not often you get to taste wine in a 200-year-old listed Japanese building. With a cafe attached, this is a great stop in the Enzan area to the north of the valley. A good variety of dry and semi-sweet Koshu are available to taste but they also produce wines from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and - unusual for Japan - Barbera.
Opening hours: 9:00 - 18:00 (Closed Thursdays as well as year-end/New Year)
Tastings: Yes (free)
Website: www.kaiwinery.com (Japanese only)
Tel: +81 (0)553 32 2032
Lovely family-run winery in a beautifully restored Japanese building with a courtyard covered by a canopy of grapes. In addition to Koshu, this is a good place to try wine from unusual Japanese grape varieties such as Black Queen, Adiron, Delaware and Kai Blanc. For the less adventurous, Chardonnay and Merlot are also available. Has a thriving cafe called Casa da Noma - see Dining.
Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:00 Every day
Tastings: Yes (free)
Website: www.haramo.com (Japanese only)
Tel: +81 (0)553 44 0121
Popular winery in a grand traditional Japanese farmhouse overlooking the valley and one of the early proponents of the sur lie method for Koshu (their Koshu Sur Lie could be described as a “Japanese Chablis”). Marufuji also offer Muscat Bailey A reds as well as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and single-varietal Petit Verdot. Enjoy a sip out on the terrace.
Opening hours: 9:00 - 16:30 Every day (Closed year-end/New Year)
Tastings: Yes (charged)
Website: www.rubaiyat.jp/en/
Tel: +81 (0)553 44 0043
Boutique family operation on the main wine street in Katsunuma, offering a great selection of Koshu wines as well as Muscat Bailey A and some international grape varieties, notably a nice Syrah from grapes grown in the vineyard behind the winery.
Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:00 Every day (Closed year-end/New Year)
Tastings: Yes (charged but refundable upon purchase)
Website: ikedawinery.com (Japanese only)
Small family-run winery in the north of the valley, synonymous with sparkling Koshu made by the traditional method. Kizan also make still Koshu and interesting reds from Japanese grape variety Black Queen and others. They don’t offer tastings for their sparkling but it is worth stopping by to pick up a bottle, for it is a rare and satisfying find.
Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:00 Every day (call ahead during harvest season)
Tastings: Yes, still wines only (free)
Website: kizan.co.jp
Tel: +81 (0)553 33 3024
Influential winery with a stylish tasting room where you can try wines from vineyards throughout Japan.
Chateau Mercian, part of the Kirin drinks group, has been instrumental in the development of the Japanese wine industry. Indeed, one could say that the turning point for Koshu came in 1983 when Mercian’s legendary winemaker Usuke Asai introduced the sur lie method to Japan, helping define Koshu as the delicate, dry white wine that we know today. Winemaking is now led by chief winemaker Mitsuhiro Anzo and the winery is known as much for wines from international grape varieties as for those from Japanese grapes, garnering high praise for their Chardonnay and Merlot in particular. This is also one of the few wineries in the valley where you can taste Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling alongside Koshu, for example. With a spacious lawn, lunch menu, and a wine museum they inherited from the first Japanese winery of 1877, this is a good destination for the whole family.
Opening hours: 9:30 - 16:30 (Closed Tuesdays as well as year-end/New Year)
Tastings: Yes (charged)
Family-run winery headed by the 3rd-generation winemaker who studied in France, making wine from a wide variety of Japanese grape varieties and some international, as well as plum and cherry wine. Also has a glass production workshop on site.
Opening hours: 9:00 - 16:30 (Closed year-end/New Year)
Tastings: Yes (some charged)
Website: www.shirayuriwine.com (Japanese only)
Highly anticipated new winery by veteran winemaker Yuki Hirayama who studied in Burgundy before making his name at heavyweight local wineries Mercian and Katsunuma Jyozo. High in the hills to the northeast of the valley, the chic new winery has great views looking down towards Mt. Fuji and the distinct terroir promises to produce high-quality Koshu and Muscat Bailey A grapes.
98wines opened in April 2019 and have just begun tastings and sales of their first vintage of white (Koshu), rose (Koshu/Bailey A blend) and red (Bailey A) wines. They also serve espresso-based coffees from their lovely tasting room.
Opening hours (Weekends): 9:00 - 17:00
Opening hours (Weekdays): By advance reservation
Website: 98wines.jp (Japanese only)
Tel: +81 (0)553 32 8098
Family-run winery in the heart of Katsunuma famed for being the first to bring Koshu to the global market. Housed in a 19th Century merchant’s house, Katsunuma Jyozo was a silk yarn business until the grandfather of the current owner tried his hand at winemaking almost 80 years ago and never looked back. This is a purist operation focused on producing world-class wine from only native Japanese grapes, principally Koshu but also Muscat Bailey A, both of which you can try in their lovely tasting room that opens onto a terrace by the Tagusa River.
Opening hours: 9:30 - 16:30 Every day (Closed for Obon in mid-August and year-end/New Year)
Tastings: Yes (charged)
Website: www.katsunuma-winery.com/english
Tel: +81 (0)553 44 0069