What is Fukuoka best known for in Japanese wine?

Fukuoka is best known for kyoho grape wine, pioneered by Kyoho Winery in Tanushimaru (Kurume), Japan's first winery dedicated to making wine from the kyoho table grape since 1972.

What kind of wine is made in Fukuoka?

Fukuoka wineries mainly produce light, fruit-forward wines from kyoho and other local fruit such as blueberries and peaches, ranging from dry to gently sweet styles with bright acidity.

Which wineries can visitors tour in Fukuoka?

Notable wineries include Kyoho Winery in Kurume's Tanushimaru area, TACHIBANA WINERY in Yame, and Budo no Ki Winery in Okagaki, several offering tastings and tours.

Is Fukuoka wine good for beginners?

Yes. Fukuoka's fruit-forward, low-tannin styles made from kyoho and other fruits are approachable and easy-drinking, making them a friendly entry point for newcomers to Japanese wine.

What food pairs well with Fukuoka wine?

Fukuoka's fruity wines pair well with local specialties like motsunabe, mentaiko, and fresh seafood from the Genkai Sea, thanks to their balanced acidity and gentle sweetness.

Region

Fukuoka

福岡県

Kyushu's kyoho grape wine heartland since 1972.

About Fukuoka

Producers listed: 1

Fukuoka Prefecture, on the northern coast of Kyushu, is a small but distinctive Japanese wine region best known for kyoho grape wine. Its oldest winery, Kyoho Winery in Tanushimaru (Kurume), was founded in 1972 as Japan's first winery dedicated to making wine from the kyoho table grape, and it remains a local landmark alongside fruit farms growing blueberries, strawberries, and peaches. Other producers, including TACHIBANA WINERY in Yame and Budo no Ki Winery in Okagaki, round out a region shaped more by fruit farming heritage than by classic vinifera viticulture. Fukuoka's warm, humid climate and early harvests favor light, fruit-forward wines with bright acidity, ranging from dry to sweet styles, made to pair easily with the region's famed food culture. As Japan's domestic wine market grows, Fukuoka's wineries are gaining attention as an approachable, farm-to-glass entry point into Japanese wine, often visited as part of Kyushu food and winery tours.

Best for

Casual wine lovers and Kyushu travelers seeking approachable, fruit-forward Japanese wine and farm winery visits.

Food Pairings

Fukuoka's fruit-driven wines pair naturally with the region's signature dishes: motsunabe (offal hot pot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), Hakata ramen, and fresh Genkai Sea seafood.

Producers

巨峰ワイナリー
Kyoho Winery
Founded in 1972 in Tanushimaru, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyoho Winery was Japan's first winery dedicated to fermenting the Kyoho grape — a large, deeply pigmented table grape long considered too delicate for winemaking. After a decade of experimentation, 13th-generation brewer Denbei Hayashida perfected a 100% Kyoho fermentation method, building on his father's pioneering cultivation of the variety in the region. In 2023 the winery was taken over by the Tsujita Group and renamed KYOHO JAPAN Co., Ltd. under CEO Ryuji Tsujita, who continues the founder's 'Wa-in' (和韻) philosophy of letting Japanese fruit, brewing, and sensibility guide the wine. Beyond its signature Kyoho wine, the winery crafts seasonal wines from strawberries, peaches, blueberries, persimmons, and other fruit grown by neighboring farmers, and welcomes visitors to its underground cellar, tasting shop, and on-site restaurant overlooking the Chikugo Plain.
Explore →
www.kyoho-winery.com/

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fukuoka best known for in Japanese wine?: Fukuoka is best known for kyoho grape wine, pioneered by Kyoho Winery in Tanushimaru (Kurume), Japan's first winery dedicated to making wine from the kyoho table grape since 1972.
What kind of wine is made in Fukuoka?: Fukuoka wineries mainly produce light, fruit-forward wines from kyoho and other local fruit such as blueberries and peaches, ranging from dry to gently sweet styles with bright acidity.
Which wineries can visitors tour in Fukuoka?: Notable wineries include Kyoho Winery in Kurume's Tanushimaru area, TACHIBANA WINERY in Yame, and Budo no Ki Winery in Okagaki, several offering tastings and tours.
Is Fukuoka wine good for beginners?: Yes. Fukuoka's fruit-forward, low-tannin styles made from kyoho and other fruits are approachable and easy-drinking, making them a friendly entry point for newcomers to Japanese wine.
What food pairs well with Fukuoka wine?: Fukuoka's fruity wines pair well with local specialties like motsunabe, mentaiko, and fresh seafood from the Genkai Sea, thanks to their balanced acidity and gentle sweetness.