Katsunuma is the historic heart of Japanese winemaking, built around the Koshu grape, a pale-skinned variety grown in this valley for over a century. Chateau Mercian's Katsunuma winery is one of the oldest producers here and combines a working cellar with tasting rooms set among the vineyard slopes east of Kofu. A visit typically means walking through a small exhibition on the valley's winemaking history before sitting down to taste several Koshu and Japanese Muscat Bailey A wines side by side.
Katsunuma, part of Koshu City, sits at the heart of Japan's oldest and largest wine-producing region, where grape cultivation is documented as far back as the Kamakura period and where the indigenous Koshu grape, a pale-skinned variety believed to have arrived along ancient trade routes centuries ago, became the foundation of the country's modern wine industry beginning in the Meiji era. The Katsunuma-budokyo area concentrates dozens of wineries within walking or short driving distance of each other, ranging from small family operations to Chateau Mercian's Katsunuma winery, one of the oldest and most established in Japan, which offers a self-guided tasting counter as well as reserved guided tours through its vineyards, a wine museum tracing the region's viticultural history, and production facilities, paired with tastings of Koshu-grape whites and regional reds. Visitors touring the wider district can walk or drive between multiple tasting rooms in an afternoon, many housed in traditional wooden buildings that also sell grapes, grape products, and local specialties in season. The grape harvest runs roughly from late August through October depending on variety, with Koshu typically picked in October, and the surrounding hillside vineyards turn shades of gold and red in autumn alongside the harvest activity, making early autumn the region's most scenic and active season. Because most tasting rooms and the Chateau Mercian tour require advance reservations, particularly for English-language guided tours, planning ahead is advisable, and a designated driver or the train is necessary for anyone planning to taste at multiple wineries in one visit.
| Admission | Adult Tasting counter set ¥2,000–3,300 ($12.60–20.80); guided tour with tasting ¥3,000 ($18.90), premium tour ¥10,000 ($62.90) · Child Non-alcoholic grape juice tastings available |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:30am–4:30pm; closed New Year holidays |
| Typical visit | 1.5–2.5 hours per winery visit |
| Best time | Early September–October for the Katsunuma grape harvest and vineyard color |
| Getting there | 10-minute walk from Katsunuma-budokyo Station on the JR Chuo Line |
| Address | 1106-1 Shimoiwasaki, Katsunuma, Koshu, Yamanashi 409-1313 |
Location
1106-1 Shimoiwasaki, Katsunuma, Koshu, Yamanashi 409-1313
35.6656, 138.7461 View on map
Highlights
- Home of the indigenous Koshu grape and Japan's oldest wine-producing region
- Chateau Mercian Katsunuma winery museum, vineyards, and production tours
- Dozens of wineries concentrated within walking or short driving distance
- Grape harvest season from late August through October
- Traditional wooden tasting-room buildings selling regional wine and grape products
Tips for visiting
- Reserve guided winery tours in advance, especially English-language tours, which run on limited days
- Visit in October for the Koshu grape harvest and the most active winery atmosphere
- Arrange a designated driver, taxi, or rely on walking between nearby tasting rooms if sampling at multiple wineries
- Try the Koshu grape variety specifically, as it is the region's signature white wine grape
- Bring a cooler bag if planning to purchase bottles to carry back on the train
When to visit
Early September through October for the grape harvest and the most active winery season.
Accessibility
Tasting rooms and the Chateau Mercian facility are generally ground-level and accessible, though individual smaller family wineries may have limited step-free access; vineyard walking paths can be uneven.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
A single winery visit with a tasting takes about 90 minutes to two and a half hours; visiting several wineries in the district can fill a full day.
Is it worth it for kids?
Tastings are for adults, though many wineries offer non-alcoholic grape juice for children, and the vineyard scenery itself is family-friendly.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is generally permitted in vineyards and public tasting areas; some production facilities restrict photography during guided tours.
What makes the Koshu grape distinctive?
Koshu is a pale-skinned, thick-pigmented grape variety unique to Japan's wine industry, producing light, subtly aromatic white wines and forming the historical foundation of the Katsunuma wine region.