Marusan Budoshu
マルサン葡萄酒
300 years of Katsunuma grape-growing behind a small, hand-crafted family winery
About Marusan Budoshu
- Founded
- 1963
- 63 years ago
- Location
- 甲州市
- 山梨県
- Wines listed
- 6
- White 3, Red 3
- Main grapes
- Koshu, Adirondack, Muscat Bailey A
Marusan Budoshu (also known as Wakao Kajuen) is a family-run winery and orchard in Katsunuma, Koshu City — the historic heart of Japanese winemaking. The Wakao family has cultivated grapes on this land for more than 300 years, and the winery's own winemaking traces back to before World War II, with the business formally incorporated in 1963. Now led by third-generation winemaker Ryo Wakao, the operation combines a tourist vineyard, Wakao Kajuen, where visitors can pick from roughly 26 grape varieties between mid-August and late October, with small-batch winemaking carried out almost entirely by hand — from fermentation to labeling to sales. Using natural farming methods, Marusan Budoshu focuses on expressing the honest character of each grape variety rather than chasing trends, producing approachable, food-friendly wines such as its signature Koshu Hyaku.
Who Is This For?
For visitors who want to combine grape-picking with tasting honest, small-batch Koshu wines from one of Katsunuma's most historic grape-growing families.
Wines of Marusan Budoshu
Location & Nearby
- Address
- 山梨県甲州市勝沼町勝沼3111-1View map ↗
- Founded
- 1963
Source: marusan-wakao.com (checked Sep 2026)
The pin with the gold outline marks Marusan Budoshu.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the history of Marusan Budoshu / Wakao Kajuen?
- The Wakao family has grown grapes in Katsunuma for more than 300 years. Winemaking at the site dates back to before World War II, and the business was formally incorporated as Marusan Budoshu in 1963.
- Can visitors pick grapes at Wakao Kajuen?
- Yes. The adjoining orchard grows around 26 grape varieties and welcomes grape-picking visitors from mid-August through late October.
- What is Marusan Budoshu's signature wine?
- Koshu Hyaku, a wine made from the Koshu grape, reflects the winery's hands-on, unpretentious approach to winemaking.
- How does Marusan Budoshu make its wine?
- Nearly every step — fermentation, labeling, and sales — is done by hand in small batches, using grapes grown with natural farming methods on the family's own land in Katsunuma.