Tourism EXPO Japan 2026
140 Years of Japanese Wine ~ A Fermented Masterpiece of Japanese Culture ~
Once every five years, the very rare statue of the Buddha of Healing holding grapes is displayed to the public at Daizenji Temple in Koshu, Yamanashi. Koshu is said to be the birthplace of grape cultivation in Japan.
Grapes have been grown in Koshu grapes for nearly 1,000 years. They are grown on the premises of Daizenji, harvested, and the head priest and his parishioners turn them into wine. The finished wine is then served to those who come to worship at the temple and used at festivals and other rituals.
Koshu wine has a fruity aroma and light flavor, and is now highly regarded on the international wine market. Its history can be traced back to the early years of the Meiji period (1868-1912). The first wine in Japan was made under the direction of the Meiji Government in 1879 by Tsuchiya Ryuken and Takano Masanari upon their return from France.
It is interesting to note that the astringent and acidic flavors of French wine were not initially generally accepted in Japan. This inspired the entrepreneur Kamiya Denbei to add honey and Chinese herbal medicines to imported wines to make them sweeter giving birth to his Hachijirushi Kozan Budoshu wine. Eventually sweet wines grew in popularity, and wine producers like Miyazaki Kotaro, a contemporary of Ryuken, succeeded in creating sweet wines such as Ebi Budoshu wine.
Denbei established Japan's first serious winery, Ushiku Chateau, in Ushiku, Ibaraki while Kotaro opened the Miyakoen winery in Koshu and offered tours and wine tasting for the first time in Japan.
The cities of Koshu and Ushiku established winemaking in Japan. Koshu wine has been so successful that today its wines are exported all over the world. Ushiku Wine had fallen on hard times but has recently released a new red wine, made with 100% Ushiku-grown grapes, and is looking for the best timing to revitalize winemaking at Ushiku Chateau.
Grapes have been grown in Koshu grapes for nearly 1,000 years. They are grown on the premises of Daizenji, harvested, and the head priest and his parishioners turn them into wine. The finished wine is then served to those who come to worship at the temple and used at festivals and other rituals.
Koshu wine has a fruity aroma and light flavor, and is now highly regarded on the international wine market. Its history can be traced back to the early years of the Meiji period (1868-1912). The first wine in Japan was made under the direction of the Meiji Government in 1879 by Tsuchiya Ryuken and Takano Masanari upon their return from France.
It is interesting to note that the astringent and acidic flavors of French wine were not initially generally accepted in Japan. This inspired the entrepreneur Kamiya Denbei to add honey and Chinese herbal medicines to imported wines to make them sweeter giving birth to his Hachijirushi Kozan Budoshu wine. Eventually sweet wines grew in popularity, and wine producers like Miyazaki Kotaro, a contemporary of Ryuken, succeeded in creating sweet wines such as Ebi Budoshu wine.
Denbei established Japan's first serious winery, Ushiku Chateau, in Ushiku, Ibaraki while Kotaro opened the Miyakoen winery in Koshu and offered tours and wine tasting for the first time in Japan.
The cities of Koshu and Ushiku established winemaking in Japan. Koshu wine has been so successful that today its wines are exported all over the world. Ushiku Wine had fallen on hard times but has recently released a new red wine, made with 100% Ushiku-grown grapes, and is looking for the best timing to revitalize winemaking at Ushiku Chateau.
Co-exhibitor of Japan Heritage
"What on Earth?!" Flame Pots and Snow Counry Culture in the Shinano River Basin :
140 Years of Japanese Wine ~ A Fermented Masterpiece of Japanese Culture ~ :
A 1,300-Year-Old Buddhist Pilgrimage :
A Cultural Heritage Linking the Sea to the Ancient Capital :
A Landscape Interwoven with Vineyards -Kyotoh-Yamanashi Wine County- :
A Miniature Garden City from the Middle Ages Built Around the Onomichi Channel :
Along the Ley Lines – Sanctuary of Sun and Earth ~ Ueda Shiodadaira: a town that lives with dragons :
An Edo Travelogue through Four Hokuso Cities :
Awa – The Home of “Ai”: Searching for the Supreme Blue of Japanese indigo :
Bantan Throughway - Gin no Bashamichi and Koseki no Michi Japan Heritage Site :
Defense Network of Satsuma Samurai Districts in the Edo Period :
Educational Heritage and World Heritage Registration Promotion Council :
Esashi Town Tourism and Community Development Council :
Eternal History Told Through Iwami's Volcanoes — Trip of Discovery to the “Jomon Forest” and “Silver Mine” — :
From Forest Railway to Yuzu Road-The Story of Japan’s Largest Yuzu-Growing Region :
Japan Heritage "Shikoku Henro" ～Circular pilgrimage route and unique pilgrimage culture～ :
Japan Heritage Tourism :
Japan's Largest Livestock Market Born of Jizo Bodhisattva Worship :
Kakaa Denka – The Peerless Wives ~ The Story of Silk in Gunma Prefecture ~ :
Kamakura ～A Historical and Cultural Mosaic～ :
Kasama and Mashiko: The Story Woven by Twin Pottery-Making Districts :
Kurashiki and the Story of Fiber - East meets west through cotton - :
Land of Izumo,Tatara Chronicle ～A Thousand Years of Iron～ :
Living with Whales :
Masuda glows with the brightness of the Age of Regional Revitalization :
Merchant Ships Carrying Goods, Culture, and Big Dreams :
Mitake Shosenkyo Gorge, the Source of Koshu's Craftsmanship — Faith, Skills and Advanced Technology Led by the Crystal's Pulse :
Mt. Mitoku and Misasa Onsen: Thrills and Spills - An Exciting Climb and Healing Hot Springs- :
No Landslide Anymore! Crossing ‘Kamenose',the heart of the ancient Tatsuta Kodo :
Okayama, the birthplace of the Legend of Momotaro, a piece of Japan Heritage-A tale of ogre conquest handed down through ancient Kibi heritage- :
Preserving the Mountain Forests of the Kiso Region :
Reki-Manzan Takaosan – The Story of Mulberry city Woven by Locals' Prayers - :
Saiku: The Palace of Saio - the Imperial Princess Prays :
Shinobi-no-Sato Iga and Koka – Exploring the Birthplace of the Real Ninja :
Six Ancient Kilns - Ceramics Born and Raised in Japan - :
The birthplace of Shugendo, a tradition passed down through generations of believers and villagers :
The Border Islands ~ A 2300-year story of trade, cultural interaction, and conflict.~ :
The Canal to the Future ~ Koriyama/Inawashiro: In the footsteps of the pioneers ~ :
The down of Japan～woman in the Asuka Period～ :
The Geiyo Islands, home to “JAPAN’S GREATEST CORSAIR” reviving the memory of the Murakami KAIZOKU :
The Intricate World of Indigo Shibori Tie-Dyeing :
The Lake Biwa Canal: The Canal of Hope Connecting Kyoto and Otsu― Walk and boat along the canal to experience a day in the Meiji Era :
The Oldest National Highway: A 1,400-Year Legacy of History - Takenouchi Kaido & Yokooji (Daido) - :
The Prehistoric Burial Mounds of Miyazaki :
The Railway That Crossed the Sea~The Railway of Miracle and Trajectory that Connected with the World~ :
The Stone Working Skills of Fukui - Building Blocks of History :
The Story of Komatsu's Gems & Stones - A Heritage of Stone Polished by the Flow of Time :
The Story of MICHINOKU GOLD -Zipang,the Land of Gold:Tracing the Origins of Japanese Gold- :
THE STORY OF THE LORD AND HIS CITIZENS WHO TURNED A CRISIS INTO A GREAT OPPORTUNITY :
Tracing the History of a Medieval Rural Landscape :
Treasure House of Scenic Beauty Wakanoura :
Tsuwano: Then and Now: A Walk through the Hyakkeizu :
Ultimate Snow Country Tokamachi - The True Story! A Story of a heavy snowfall :
Underground Adventure ～Utsunomiya,Home of Oya Stone～ :
Yaji and Kita’s journey through Sunshu, gave rise to the first travel boom in Japan :
”Kunisaki” -where Oni and Buddhas coexist as one :
| Booth No | Y-30 |
|---|---|
| Area | Travel-related companies（Inbound to JAPAN） |
| Official site | https://japan-wine-culture.jp/en/ |
| SNS Links |     |
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