Nemuro
根室市
Hokkaido's newest frontier for cool-climate wine
Nemuro sits at the easternmost tip of mainland Hokkaido, a cool, wind-swept fishing city facing both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk, and one of the newest frontiers in Japanese winegrowing. Wine grape planting in the area reportedly began around 2021, and in March 2026 Machi no Wine Factory Co., Ltd. (Toyosato Brewery) became one of the first licensed wine producers based in Nemuro, extending Hokkaido's wine map further east than the established districts of Yoichi, Furano, and Kurisawa. As a still-forming region, Nemuro's viticultural character is not yet well documented, but its maritime, sub-arctic climate points toward high-acid, cool-climate styles similar to other coastal pockets of eastern Hokkaido.
Best for: Curious drinkers who want to follow Japan's wine frontier as it expands, and fans of high-acid, cool-climate styles.
No sub-regions registered yet.
Food Pairings
Nemuro is famous for Hanasaki crab and teppou-jiru (a local crab miso soup canned since 1979), along with Pacific saury and scallops — all natural matches for the high-acid, cool-climate wines the region is expected to produce.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Nemuro an established wine region?
- No — Nemuro is a newly emerging area. Wine grape planting reportedly began around 2021, and Machi no Wine Factory (Toyosato Brewery) obtained a wine manufacturing license there in March 2026, making it one of Hokkaido's very first Nemuro-based producers.
- What makes Nemuro different from other Hokkaido wine regions like Yoichi or Furano?
- Nemuro lies far to the east on the Pacific/Okhotsk coast, with a cooler, more maritime and wind-exposed climate than Hokkaido's established western districts, making it one of the coldest and most experimental sites in Japanese viticulture.
- What food pairs well with wine from Nemuro?
- Nemuro's signature seafood — Hanasaki crab, teppou-jiru crab soup, Pacific saury, and scallops — pairs naturally with the high-acid, cool-climate wine styles the region is expected to produce.