What does Tokito Kokoshi taste like?

It has Kokoshi's characteristic deep color and concentrated dark-fruit flavor, softened by gentle tannins and lifted by firm, clean acidity, finishing with a white-wine-like mineral note rather than heavy weight.

What food pairs well with Tokito Kokoshi?

Its mineral, low-tannin profile pairs surprisingly well with raw seafood — sashimi, sushi, sea urchin and salmon roe — as well as grilled fish and Japanese home cooking.

What grape is Kokoshi, and where does it come from?

Kokoshi is a Japanese wild-grape hybrid bred from five varieties including Central Asian grapes and native Vitis amurensis wild grapes, prized for its high sugar content and deep pigmentation. This wine's grapes are grown in the Toki district of Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.

Why is Tokito Kokoshi served on the TRAIN SUITE Shiki-shima cruise train?

JR East selected it as the official onboard red wine for TRAIN SUITE Shiki-shima because its clean, food-friendly character pairs well with the seafood-forward cuisine served on the luxury cruise train through eastern Japan and Hokkaido.

CuvéeAkitaRed

Tokito Kokoshi

鴇小公子

Winery Konohana

About Tokito Kokoshi

Style: Red
Grape Varieties: Kokoshi
Price Range: ¥3,795-4,125
Alcohol: 12%

Tokito Kokoshi is Winery Konohana's signature unfiltered, unfined red, bottled directly from the surface of the tank (muroka-namazume) without any fining or filtration. Made from 100% Kokoshi, a wild-grape hybrid grown in the Toki district of Kosaka Town, Akita, it is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel without oak to preserve pure fruit character. The wine shows Kokoshi's characteristic deep color and concentration, soft tannins and firm acidity, with a clean, mineral-driven finish reminiscent of a white wine. It is the official onboard red wine served on JR East's luxury cruise train TRAIN SUITE Shiki-shima.

Sommelier's Note

Proof that a Japanese wild-grape red can rival white wine in mineral finesse — Tokito Kokoshi is the rare red built to sit alongside sashimi and sushi, not against them.

New to wine?

An approachable, food-friendly first taste of Japanese wild-grape hybrid wine — its bright, mineral finish makes it far less heavy than typical reds.

Food Pairings

The white-wine-like minerality makes it unusually food-friendly for a red: excellent with sashimi, sushi, sea urchin (uni) and salmon roe (ikura), as well as grilled fish and lightly seasoned Japanese dishes.

When to drink it

Sushi and sashimi dinners, gifts, and special occasions (as served on TRAIN SUITE Shiki-shima)

Terroir & Winemaking

Fermented and aged exclusively in stainless steel tanks (no oak), gently pressed in a basket press, and bottled unfiltered and unfined straight from the tank surface (muroka-namazume). Best enjoyed 2-3 years after the vintage.

About the producer

Winery KonohanaUrban Akita winery crafting oak-free wines that pair beautifully with Japanese cuisine.鹿角市, 秋田県 · Founded 2010Visit the producer page →

More wines from Winery Konohana

See all wines from this producer →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tokito Kokoshi taste like?: It has Kokoshi's characteristic deep color and concentrated dark-fruit flavor, softened by gentle tannins and lifted by firm, clean acidity, finishing with a white-wine-like mineral note rather than heavy weight.
What food pairs well with Tokito Kokoshi?: Its mineral, low-tannin profile pairs surprisingly well with raw seafood — sashimi, sushi, sea urchin and salmon roe — as well as grilled fish and Japanese home cooking.
What grape is Kokoshi, and where does it come from?: Kokoshi is a Japanese wild-grape hybrid bred from five varieties including Central Asian grapes and native Vitis amurensis wild grapes, prized for its high sugar content and deep pigmentation. This wine's grapes are grown in the Toki district of Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Why is Tokito Kokoshi served on the TRAIN SUITE Shiki-shima cruise train?: JR East selected it as the official onboard red wine for TRAIN SUITE Shiki-shima because its clean, food-friendly character pairs well with the seafood-forward cuisine served on the luxury cruise train through eastern Japan and Hokkaido.

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