Katsunuma, part of Koshu City, is Japan's oldest and largest wine-producing area, about 20 kilometers east of Kofu and reached in 15 to 20 minutes by local JR Chuo Line train to Katsunuma-Budokyo Station (¥240/$1.50 one-way). Grape cultivation here dates back more than 1,000 years, and the area is built around the native Koshu grape, a pale-skinned varietal used for crisp white wines, alongside Muscat Bailey A for reds; dozens of small, independent wineries cluster within walking or short taxi distance of the station, many offering free or low-cost tastings and cellar tours. A typical day starts at Katsunuma-Budokyo Station's tourist information center, where maps of the walkable winery routes are available, then continues on foot or by rental bicycle between several wineries, sampling Koshu whites and estate-grown reds, with lunch at a winery restaurant pairing local produce with wine flights. Katsunuma is also one of Japan's leading grape-growing regions for table grapes and peaches, and roadside fruit stands and pick-your-own orchards operate alongside the wineries from summer through autumn. The late September to October grape harvest season is the liveliest time to visit, when the Katsunuma Budo Matsuri (Grape Festival) draws crowds for tastings, but the wineries operate tasting rooms year-round, making this an easy half-day or full-day trip regardless of season. Because the area is spread across gently rolling hillsides rather than a single compact street, a rental bicycle from near the station or a short taxi ride between wineries farther apart is worth considering for visitors planning to see more than two or three cellars in a day.
How to get there
- Mode
- JR Chuo Line
- Duration
- 15–20 min
- Cost
- ¥240 ($1.50)
- Notes
- Frequent local departures from Kofu Station
- Mode
- Rental car
- Duration
- 25 min via Route 20
- Cost
- ¥6,000–10,000 ($37.80–63)
- Notes
- Useful for reaching wineries farther from the station, though tastings mean a non-drinking driver is needed
Location
Kamiiwakubo, Koshu, Yamanashi 409-1313
35.6614, 138.7269 View on map
Highlights
- Dozens of independent wineries producing Koshu white wine within walking distance of the station
- 1,000-year grape-growing history and the Katsunuma Budo Matsuri (Grape Festival) in autumn
- Free or low-cost tastings and cellar tours at most wineries
- Roadside fruit stands and pick-your-own grape and peach orchards in season
- Winery restaurants pairing local produce with estate wine flights
Tips for visiting
- Pick up a walkable winery route map at the Katsunuma-Budokyo Station tourist information center on arrival
- Rent a bicycle near the station to cover more wineries than a walking-only visit allows
- Visit late September through October for the grape harvest and the Katsunuma Budo Matsuri, but expect the busiest tasting rooms of the year
- Designate one visitor as the driver, or use the train and bicycle instead of a rental car, since most wineries offer tastings
- Book a table at a winery restaurant in advance on autumn weekends, when lunch seatings fill quickly
When to visit
Late September through October for the grape harvest and Katsunuma Budo Matsuri; wineries otherwise offer tastings year-round for an easy half-day or full-day visit.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get from Kofu to Katsunuma wine country?
Take the JR Chuo Line local train from Kofu Station to Katsunuma-Budokyo Station, a 15 to 20 minute ride costing about ¥240 ($1.50).
Is the grape harvest the only good time to visit Katsunuma?
No, wineries offer tastings and cellar tours year-round; late September to October simply adds the harvest atmosphere and the Katsunuma Budo Matsuri festival.
Can Katsunuma's wineries be visited without a car?
Yes, many wineries are within walking distance of Katsunuma-Budokyo Station, and a rental bicycle extends the range for visitors wanting to see more cellars.