Kōshū: Wine Traditions, Cultural Heritage and Mountain Landscapes

Kōshū brings together Katsunuma’s wine traditions, fruit growing, cultural heritage and a landscape of mountains, gorges and forests. When choosing a holiday rental, what you most want to focus on may be the deciding factor: would you rather explore wine and history, or put hiking trails and nature at the centre of your stay?

Wine, Fruit and a Distinctive Cultural Landscape

Katsunuma is considered the birthplace of Japanese wine. Grapes have been cultivated there since the Edo period; together with the wine industry that emerged in the Meiji era, this shaped a cultural landscape found only in Katsunuma. In 1877, Dainihon Yamanashi Budōshu Kaisha was founded there as Japan’s first privately owned wine-making facility.

At the Budounooka wine cellar, you can sample more than 100 wines recommended by Kōshū using a special tasting vessel. Facility details and tasting options may change, so check the current offering in advance. Miyakōen is the wine-making facility and tourist vineyard founded by Miyazaki Kōtarō. Today, the site has been converted into a museum: historical film footage, photographs and wine labels from the time offer a glimpse into the roots of Japanese wine-making.

Fruit growing has also long been part of Kōshū’s character. The “Eight Treasures of Kōshū” include grapes, peaches, persimmons, pomegranates, apples, chestnuts, pears, and either ginkgo nuts or walnuts. As far back as the Edo period, fruit was prized as a popular souvenir and shipped to the Edo market.

Cultural Heritage and Seasonal Discoveries

The former residence of the Takano family, Kanzōyashiki, is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Open to the public as a historic park, it preserves the layout of a residential compound from the late Edo period. Check the current visitor guidelines before your visit. Kanzōyashiki is also the main venue for the Enzan Tōgenkyō Festival, which celebrates Hina dolls and peach blossoms and runs every year from February 11 to April 18. Confirm the dates before your trip.

The name of the Shioyama area comes from Mount Shio-no-yama, southwest of the city. The mountain appears in an auspicious poem in the Kokin Wakashū and was regarded by court poets of the time as a kind of “paradise.” Temples and shrines associated with the Takeda family, including Erinji and Kōgakuji, have also been preserved in the Shioyama area. Among Kōgakuji’s many cultural properties is the National Treasure painting “絹本著色達磨図,” which is held at the National Museum.

The writer Ichiyō Higuchi is also connected to the Shioyama area: it is her parents’ region of origin, and in her work “Yuku Kumo,” the area appears as the protagonist’s hometown. The Ichiyō-no-Sato walking route leads to Jiuunji, known for its Itosakura cherry tree, and to a literary monument dedicated to Higuchi. Hinata Yakushi and Takimoto-in offer seasonal views. Along the route, peach blossoms spread out like a pink carpet; their blooming period varies from year to year.

Mountain Landscapes, Trails and Views

Mountains, gorges and forests cover 80 percent of the Shioyama area. Daibosatsu Rei, one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains, offers hikes for a range of experience levels, from families to seasoned hikers. The Sanukubo Highlands also attract many hikers, particularly visitors from the Greater Tokyo Area. Check current trail and access information before setting out.

Set on higher ground in the Shioyama area, Shioyama Fureai-no-Mori Sōgō Kōen offers sweeping views across Kōshū, including Mount Fuji. Facilities include a nature trail with seasonal flowers and trees, a walking path, a playground, a pond and an observation tower; everyone is welcome to use the facilities. As amenities may change over time, it is worth checking the latest information before your visit. Ryūmonkyō Gorge in the Hikawa Valley has an easy walking trail suitable for families and a parking lot. Check current notices about trail conditions and facilities there, too.

In Kōshū, municipal buses operate alongside privately run bus services, with the city outsourcing their operation to transport companies. Check current routes and services before your trip. When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: wine and cultural history, seasonal blossoms, or hikes through mountain and gorge landscapes.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kōfu, Yamanaka, Nanbu, Fujikawa, Otsuki, Hayakawa, Kai, Minamitsuru District

For the overview of destinations in the wider region: Yamanashi Prefecture.