Enjoy a trip to Japan’s wine country

Hokkaido is world-famous for its snow, scenery and cuisine; but in recent years it has gained international acclaim for its spectacular wines. As global temperatures rise, Japan’s northern island is embracing viticulture, inviting domestic and international visitors to enjoy its green and purple charms. For wine lovers, it’s an alluring hidden gem: slightly off the beaten path, but world-renowned.

Hokkaido has low humidity and a large temperature difference between day and night, making it an ideal place to produce high-sugar grapes. Hokkaido has long been one of Japan’s major wine grape producing regions, with dozens of vineyards spread across mountains and hills. Now, its unique wine culture (Hokkaido wine is said to be particularly suitable for pairing with seafood) and high-quality products are attracting international attention.

With the rise of Hokkaido wine, wine tourism has become a thriving industry on the island, attracting both domestic and foreign visitors, drawn to the beautiful scenery, high-quality wines and rich cultural experiences. Many wineries offer guided tours of the vineyards, including explanations of the winemaking process and wine tastings, and there are ample opportunities to purchase local wines as gifts, souvenirs or personal gifts to enjoy later.

For connoisseurs, enthusiasts and travelers who want to experience Hokkaido’s thriving wine culture firsthand, here are some of the best wine-related locations and activities to enjoy:

Yoichi: A secluded wine paradise

Yoichi is one of Japan’s most famous wine towns, with world-renowned wines and hectares of rolling, leafy vineyards. Grapes were first planted in the area in the 1920s, but it was only in the past decade that it became a rising star in the world of grape growing.

The town came to global attention in 2017 when wines from the renowned vineyard Domaine Takahiko were featured on the wine list of Noma, a Copenhagen-based restaurant considered one of the best in the world. Domaine Takahiko was founded seven years ago by Takahiko Soga, the son of a wine merchant from Nagano Prefecture. Soga, who had trained in France, realised that Yoichi’s current climatic conditions – 60 metres above sea level, surrounded by mountains and with little rain – provided the perfect climate for grape growing.

Seven years later, the Yoichi area now has around 40 different vineyards and 18 wineries, making it a great place to experience terroir tourism. Winemakers such as Occi Gabi and Yoichi Winery offer special tastings and tours for those who wish to try Yoichi wines.

Luxury Wine Tour with Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd.

The picturesque town of Kobe is a great place to visit, just a 45-minute drive or 1-hour train ride from Sapporo. Kobe features quaint European-style buildings and a small canal, as well as shops selling a variety of handmade products and souvenirs. For wine lovers, the headquarters of Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd., Japan’s largest wine producer, is just a 15-minute drive from the town center. Winery tours and wine tastings are available in Kobe.

Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd. operates several vineyards in the prefecture, including the 447-hectare Tsurunum Winery in Urausu. The company was founded 50 years ago with the philosophy of making wine from Japanese grapes using world-class production methods. Since its founding, the winery has continuously improved its production methods and has become a leading terroir tourism provider in the region.

Visitors to Kogama Hokkaido Wine Tours have several options. In the recommended “Full Tour” plan, visitors can learn about the winery’s history and facilities, experience a 4K immersive “virtual vineyard,” and enjoy wine and appetizer pairings in the special tasting space Keller3 (actually a converted wine cellar).

Visitors to the store can enjoy limited edition Niagara grape ice cream while savoring the store’s products, many of which are unique to the store and completely different from those sold in Hokkaido wine shops. The light-bodied Otaru Gewürztraminer 2019 is particularly recommended.

Wine and Food at Sapporo Autumn Carnival

Hokkaido’s growing reputation for terroir isn’t limited to its rich vineyards. You can also experience this terroir in the heart of Sapporo’s Odori Park as part of the region’s famous Sapporo Autumn Carnival, which attracts more than two million visitors each year.

This year’s Sapporo Autumn Carnival runs from September 6 to September 29, taking up much of Odori Park and divided into several zones; the seventh zone, themed after a bar, will feature a luxurious Hokkaido wine section, stocked with local sake and wine made from delicious grapes grown in Hokkaido. This is an intoxicating opportunity to sample the wines and food of Japan’s northernmost island all in one place.

For more information on Hokkaido wine and traveling in Hokkaido, please visit the official Hokkaido tourism website.