What is the most famous Japanese grape variety?

Koshu is the most famous and widely recognized indigenous white grape variety in Japan, known for its delicate citrus and peach notes that pair beautifully with Japanese cuisine.

Is Japanese wine suitable for aging?

While many Japanese wines are crafted for early consumption, premium Koshu and certain red wines from Hokkaido and Nagano possess excellent aging potential.

What is Muscat Bailey A?

Muscat Bailey A is a native Japanese red grape variety developed in 1927 by Zenbei Kawakami. It produces light, fruity wines with soft tannins and notes of cherry, plum, and spice, and is recognized by the OIV as an official wine grape variety.

Which regions in Japan produce the most wine?

Yamanashi is Japan's leading wine region, producing nearly a third of domestic wine. Other key regions include Hokkaido, Nagano, and Yamagata, each offering distinct cool-climate characteristics.

How does Japanese wine differ from European wine?

Japanese wine emphasizes delicacy, precision, and harmony rather than boldness. Indigenous varieties like Koshu produce lighter, mineral-driven styles that reflect Japan's unique terroir and are specifically suited to pair with seafood and washoku cuisine.

Country

Japan

日本

Elegant, terroir-driven wines featuring unique indigenous varieties like Koshu.

About Japan

Producers listed: 385
Sub-regions: 43 areas
Most wineries in: 山梨県・北海道
Founded 2010 or later: 56%; 204 of 362 with a known founding year

Emerging wine nation with Koshu white wine and Muscat Bailey A leading a quality revolution in Yamanashi and Nagano.

Best for

Ideal for those seeking refined, food-friendly wines and enthusiasts of cool-climate viticulture.

Food Pairings

Sushi, sashimi, tempura, grilled fish, light soy-based dishes, and seasonal vegetable tempura.

Sub-regions

Smaller wine areas within Japan.

Winery Map of Japan

Of the Japan wineries on Vinami, we show the 384 whose locations we have verified.

9 wineries without a published street address are listed below but not shown on the map.

Wineries by Prefecture

山梨県90: Main municipalities: 甲州市（45）・笛吹市（12）・山梨市（11）
北海道71: Main municipalities: 余市町（22）・岩見沢市（7）・三笠市（4）
長野県68: Main municipalities: 東御市（15）・塩尻市（14）・原村（4）
山形県20: Main municipalities: 上山市（5）・南陽市（5）・鶴岡市（3）
岩手県12: Main municipalities: 花巻市（6）・葛巻町（1）・紫波町（1）
岡山県10: Main municipalities: 新見市（4）・赤磐市（2）・倉敷市（2）
新潟県9: Main municipalities: 新潟市（6）・上越市（1）・胎内市（1）
千葉県9: Main municipalities: 八街市（2）・横芝光町（1）・佐倉市（1）
愛知県8: Main municipalities: 岡崎市（1）・市大塚町（1）・春日井市（1）
宮城県8: Main municipalities: 石巻市（2）・山元町（1）・仙台市（1）
大阪府6: Main municipalities: 羽曳野市（3）・柏原市（2）・大阪市（1）
石川県5: Main municipalities: 金沢市（2）・羽咋市（1）・穴水町（1）
大分県5: Main municipalities: 宇佐市（2）・竹田市（2）・由布市（1）
栃木県5: Main municipalities: 足利市（2）・鹿沼市（1）・那須塩原市（1）
福島県5: Main municipalities: いわき市（1）・郡山市（1）・猪苗代町（1）
茨城県4: Main municipalities: つくば市（1）・牛久市（1）・常陸太田市（1）
宮崎県4: Main municipalities: 綾町（2）・五ヶ瀬町（1）・都農町（1）
広島県4: Main municipalities: 福山市（2）・三次市（1）・世羅町（1）
東京都4: Main municipalities: 江東区（2）・台東区（1）・練馬区（1）
島根県3: Main municipalities: 雲南市（1）・出雲市（1）・大田市（1）
富山県3: Main municipalities: 南砺市（1）・氷見市（1）・富山市（1）
岐阜県2: Main municipalities: 岐阜市（1）・高山市（1）
京都府2: Main municipalities: 宮津市（1）・京丹波町（1）
埼玉県2: Main municipalities: 小鹿野町（1）・秩父市（1）
滋賀県2: Main municipalities: 栗東市（1）・東近江市（1）
秋田県2: Main municipalities: 鹿角市（1）・由利本荘市（1）
青森県2: Main municipalities: むつ市（1）・弘前市（1）
静岡県2: Main municipalities: 伊豆市（1）・富士宮市（1）
奈良県2: Main municipalities: 香芝市（1）・桜井市（1）
福井県2: Main municipalities: 越前市（1）・大野市（1）
愛媛県1: Main municipalities: 大洲市（1）
熊本県1: Main municipalities: 山鹿市（1）
群馬県1: Main municipalities: 昭和村（1）
香川県1: Main municipalities: さぬき市（1）
高知県1: Main municipalities: 土佐町（1）
三重県1: Main municipalities: 名張市（1）
山口県1: Main municipalities: 山陽小野田市（1）
長崎県1: Main municipalities: 五島市（1）
鳥取県1: Main municipalities: 北栄町（1）
徳島県1: Main municipalities: 三好市（1）
福岡県1: Main municipalities: 久留米市（1）
兵庫県1: Main municipalities: 神戸市（1）
和歌山県1: Main municipalities: 湯浅町（1）

Addresses and founding years are verified against each winery's official website and public information from local governments and industry bodies. Sources are listed on each producer's page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most famous Japanese grape variety?: Koshu is the most famous and widely recognized indigenous white grape variety in Japan, known for its delicate citrus and peach notes that pair beautifully with Japanese cuisine.
Is Japanese wine suitable for aging?: While many Japanese wines are crafted for early consumption, premium Koshu and certain red wines from Hokkaido and Nagano possess excellent aging potential.
What is Muscat Bailey A?: Muscat Bailey A is a native Japanese red grape variety developed in 1927 by Zenbei Kawakami. It produces light, fruity wines with soft tannins and notes of cherry, plum, and spice, and is recognized by the OIV as an official wine grape variety.
Which regions in Japan produce the most wine?: Yamanashi is Japan's leading wine region, producing nearly a third of domestic wine. Other key regions include Hokkaido, Nagano, and Yamagata, each offering distinct cool-climate characteristics.
How does Japanese wine differ from European wine?: Japanese wine emphasizes delicacy, precision, and harmony rather than boldness. Indigenous varieties like Koshu produce lighter, mineral-driven styles that reflect Japan's unique terroir and are specifically suited to pair with seafood and washoku cuisine.