Japan’s Hidden Gems /Tokyo Journey Help. Benefit from the native experiences!

What could possibly be higher than a day within the countryside with some scrumptious meals, good mates, and exquisite surroundings? The identical state of affairs with a glass of wine or whiskey, after all! This text goes to provide the particulars of Japan’s hidden wine and whiskey industries, and introduce some alternatives to go on excursions with one of the best Japanese guides. Learn on to study extra about Japanese wine and whiskey!

About Katsunuma Wine in Koshu space

Koshu was a province that was established within the Nara interval and existed till the Meiji Restoration and was thought to be an necessary area for protection throughout the Edo Interval.

Koshu province is now generally known as Yamanashi prefecture, and there stays a metropolis named Koshu in Yamanashi. Now, Koshu is among the most well-known areas in Japan for wine. The realm is legendary for its regional specialty known as Koshu wine, a kind of wine produced from quite a lot of grapes known as Koshu grapes.

Katsunuma, an space in Koshu metropolis situated simply 90 minutes from Tokyo, is wine nation throughout the metropolis. Katsunuma is situated in a valley simply North of Mount Fuji. You possibly can get pleasure from panoramic views of the area and Mount Fuji. There are 31 wineries within the Katsunuma space of Koshu. Right here 27% of all Japanese wine is produced, with the primary selection being native Koshu white wine.

The perfect season to go to the Katsunuma space is in October when the vines are filled with ripe grapes prepared for selecting and winemaking. You possibly can get pleasure from a vineyard tour the place you possibly can sip on totally different kinds of native wine. Maybe you possibly can attempt your hand at some winemaking your self as effectively. Grape-stomping is one other enjoyable exercise that’s positive to be a spotlight of your journey. Most wineries additionally supply grape juice tasting for youngsters, those that don’t drink, or designated drivers. The realm could be very welcoming for all sorts of vacationers and is a must-visit for any wine lover.

Easy methods to get to Katsunuma

By prepare

One of the simplest ways to succeed in Katsunuma is to take the Chuo Fast Line. Take the Restricted Categorical “Azusa” or “Kaiji” and get off at Katsunuma Budokyo station. You possibly can board the prepare at Shinjuku, Tachikawa, or Hachioji station.

By automotive or by funk bass

There’s a freeway categorical bus departing from Shinjuku bus terminal that connects Tokyo and Katsunuma. There are a number of departures each day, however a few of the busses skip Katsunuma. Watch out when reserving a seat to make sure your bus stops at Katsunuma.

If you wish to go by automotive, you should use the Chuo Expressway, which is a toll freeway working from via Tokyo and Yamanashi. Please notice that the majority guests might want to possess a world driver’s license to function a automobile in Japan.

Alternatively, you possibly can be part of a tour with knowledgable native guides. Tokyo Journey Help gives a vineyard tour. They are going to use their experience and take you to a few of the finest wineries in Katsunuma. If you wish to get involved with them, use this type on their web site. They provide different excursions round Japan as effectively, so have a look via their web site to mix your vineyard tour with different actions to make your good journey itinerary.

Three finest wineries

There are roughly 30 wineries in Katsunuma so it may be troublesome for vacationers to seek out one of the best vineyard to go to. We advocate the next wineries:

Mars Hosaka Vineyard

Mars Hosaka Vineyard is constructed on a low hill in Katsunuma. On a transparent sunny day, you possibly can even get pleasure from a view of Mount Fuji within the horizon.

Their wines are world-class wines which have received a number of awards in Japan and have gained acclaim overseas too. You will discover valuable aged wine right here alongside many contemporary bottles of Koshu wine.

Tackle: 8−1 Kamiimai Hosakamachi, Nirasaki, Yamanashi
Tel: 0551-45-8883
E-mail: Contact type
Hours: March – November: 9:00～17:00
December – February:  10:00～16:00

Katsunuma Vineyard

Katsunuma Vineyard is a vineyard with over 140 years of historical past. Their wines make the most of solely the indigenous Koshu grape selection, making them genuine Katsunuma wines.

Their well-known line of wines known as Koshu Aruga Branca Brilhante is extremely troublesome to seek out exterior of Japan, so a go to to the Katsunuma vineyard is a should for these trying to get their arms on a bottle of Katsunuma Vineyard’s wine.

Tackle: 371 Shimoiwasaki Katsunumacho, Koshu, Yamanashi
Tel: 0553-44-0069
E-mail: Contact type
Hours: 9:00～18:00

Grace Wine 

Grace Wine is a vineyard in Katsunuma whose wines have acquired quite a few awards over time. 

There’s a wine bar that includes Grace Wine’s merchandise within Ishiwa-Onsen station which is a little-known to vacationers however an amazing go to for these trying to casually pattern a few of Grace Wine’s merchandise.

Tackle: 173 Todoroki Katsunumacho, Koshu, Yamanashi
Tel: 0553-44-1230
E-mail: Contact type
Hours: 9:00～16:30

Budo-no-Oka

Budo-no-Oka just isn’t a vineyard however an area wine tasting middle. Budo-no-Oka options a wine restaurant, a store, a lodge, and a barbecue restaurant. We advocate Budo-no-Oka for these trying to not solely pattern but additionally perceive the variations in several sorts of wine. You possibly can attempt plenty of wines from the Katsunuma area, making it an environment friendly one-stop-shop for vacationers.

Tackle: 5093 Katsunumacho Hishiyama, Koshu, Yamanashi
Tel: 0553-44-1230
E-mail: Contact type
Hours: 9:00～16:30

About Japanese whiskey

Japan is thought world wide for its sake, or conventional Japanese rice wine. In retailers world wide, you possibly can attempt totally different kinds of Japanese sake. Nevertheless, it’s possible you’ll be stunned to listen to that Japan can also be changing into a hotspot for whiskey manufacturing as effectively. Japanese whiskey has been getting well-liked lately and consequently getting costlier. What’s so distinctive about Japanese whiskey is that it makes use of pure water from the height of Mount Fuji, giving it a singular and scrumptious style.

Three really helpful distilleries

Since most individuals will not be conscious of Japan’s rising whiskey market, most individuals additionally have no idea the place to seek out genuine Japanese whiskey distilleries. Listed below are three whiskey distilleries we advocate:

Suntory’s Hakushu distillery

Suntory’s Hakushu Distillery is a whiskey distillery situated in Hokuto, Yamanashi used for the manufacturing of Suntory’s well-known Hakushu whiskey. This distillery gives two methods to get pleasure from its amenities.

The primary is to go searching at your individual tempo with out the assistance of a information by exploring the historical past of whiskey within the Suntory Museum of Whiskey. Word that you just can not achieve entry to the manufacturing course of in the event you select to browse by your self.

The second method is to affix the Hakushu Distillery Tour the place you may get unique entry to the manufacturing space. You possibly can watch malt whiskey manufacturing and benefit from the aroma of 10, 20, and even 30-year outdated ageing whiskey within the warehouse.

Moreover the tour, you possibly can get pleasure from limited-edition whiskeys on web site. The employees can supply snack pairings with totally different sorts of whiskey. After making an attempt totally different varieties, you’re welcome to purchase a bottle for your self.

On the Hakushu Distillery, there may be additionally a forest restaurant known as “White Terrace”. The restaurant gives mouthwatering dishes made with native substances. Moreover, all the dishes go effectively with whiskey! Sit again, calm down, and benefit from the distillery within the countryside whereas sipping on some high quality Japanese whiskey.

Tokyo Journey Help gives a Suntory Hakushu Distillery and Tasting Tour. Certainly one of Tokyo Journey Help’s knowledgable native guides will take you on a visit to Suntory’s Hakushu Distillery. Not solely will you be accompanied by a pleasant native throughout your go to, but additionally you can be escorted to and out of your lodging, so there is no such thing as a concern about getting misplaced within the countryside. Make sure to take a look at the Suntory Distillery and Tasting tour web page that provides you all the particulars of the tour.

Tackle: 2913-1 Torihara Hakushucho, Hokuto, Yamanashi
Tel: 075-35-2211
E-mail: Contact type
Hours: 9:30～16:30

Suntory’s Yamazaki distillery

Suntory’s Yamazaki Distillery is within the Western a part of Japan close to Osaka and Kyoto. Just like the Hakushu Distillery, the Yamazaki Distillery gives two methods to get pleasure from its amenities.

The primary is to go searching at your individual tempo with out the assistance of a information by exploring the historical past of whiskey within the Yamazaki Museum of Whiskey. Word that you just can not achieve entry to the manufacturing course of in the event you select to browse by your self.

The second method is to affix the Yamazaki Distillery Tour the place you may get unique entry to the manufacturing space. You possibly can see the varied steps of whiskey manufacturing right here. The warehouse can also be open to tour individuals, the place a information will clarify the method of whiskey maturation.

Tackle: 5-2-1 Yamazaki Shimamotocho, Mishimagun, Osaka
Tel: 075-962-1423
E-mail: Contact type
Hours: 10:00～16:45

Kirin’s Fuji Gotemba distillery

Kirin’s Fuji Gotemba Distillery is situated Gotemba, a metropolis situated proper beside Mount Fuji. This Distillery gives three sorts of free distillery excursions. One is half-hour lengthy, one is 70 minutes lengthy, and one is 90 minutes lengthy. The shortest tour is for informal guests who’re all in favour of studying the fundamental historical past and details of whiskey via a film. The tour contains one glass of whiskey for tasting.

The longer excursions are for individuals who are extra within the particulars of whiskey manufacturing. The 70-minute lengthy tour is the preferred because it permits guests to view the manufacturing course of up shut. Individuals additionally get to attempt two totally different sorts of whiskey on this tour! The 90-minute lengthy tour gives an unique alternative for individuals to stroll via the maturation warehouse. The 90-minute lengthy tour additionally gives an opportunity to pattern two totally different whiskeys on the tour.

Tackle: 970 Shibanta, Gotenba, Shizuoka
Tel:0550-89-4909
E-mail: Contact type
Hours: 9:00～16:30

About Tokyo Journey Help’s Vineyard or Distillery Tour

Tokyo Journey Help gives an incredible tour for wine or whiskey lovers visiting Japan. Tokyo Journey Help gives utterly customizable excursions which can be tailor-made to your needs and desires. You possibly can go to wineries, whiskey distilleries, and even each! Though their tour web page solely lists the Suntory Hakushu Distillery Tasting Tour, you possibly can allow them to know if you want to go to some wineries in Katsunuma, or perhaps go to the Suntory Yamazaki or Fuji Gotemba Whiskey Distilleries.

You possibly can at all times belief Tokyo Journey Help as a result of they’ve knowledgable guides who will show you how to identical to a buddy earlier than and through your journey to Japan. Their tour web page options plenty of excursions which you could mix to make an ideal journey to Japan.

Conclusion

After studying this text, you in all probability really feel like sipping on some wine within the shadows of Mount Fuji or tasting some aged whiskey in an actual manufacturing plant. Now that you recognize one of the best wineries and distilleries in Japan, you possibly can simply make a visit by your self or with the assistance of a pleasant information.

Tell us how you propose to get pleasure from your time in Japan with wine or whiskey!