Shimane
島根
Japan's mythical wine land — award-winning Koshu beside Izumo Taisha
Shimane Prefecture, located along the San'in coast of western Honshu, is a hidden gem of Japanese wine production. Known as the 'Land of the Gods' owing to the ancient Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, the region produces wines from three distinctive wineries: Shimane Winery in Izumo (the largest and most visited, founded 1959), Okuizumo Vineyard in Unnan (eco-focused, small-scale), and Iwami Winery near Mt. Sanbe in Oda (Japan's only winery inside a national park). The inland Chugoku Mountains bring a continental climate with over 10°C diurnal temperature swings, ideal for retaining grape acidity. Key varieties include Delaware (Shimane ranks 4th nationally), Koshu, Muscat Bailey A, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and local hybrids like Fuji no Yume and Hokuten no Shizuku. Shimane Winery's Enmusubi Koshu won Gold and Best-in-Category at the 2019 Japan Wine Competition — the first non-Yamanashi winery to win in the Koshu category — and the winery earned 4 stars at the Japan Winery Award. Wines are often enjoyed alongside local specialties such as Shinjiko shijimi clams, Izumo soba, nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), Shimane Wagyu, and Oki rock oysters.
Best for: Japanese wine explorers seeking off-the-beaten-path regions; Izumo Taisha pilgrims who want to combine shrine visits with winery tours; fans of Koshu and Muscat Bailey A who want to try non-Yamanashi examples; eco-conscious wine lovers (Okuizumo Vineyard's organic approach).
No sub-regions registered yet.
Food Pairings
Shimane wines shine brightest with the prefecture's own cuisine. White and sparkling wines (Koshu, Delaware, Sauvignon Blanc) pair beautifully with Shinjiko shijimi clam miso soup — the clams' umami mirrors the wines' mineral freshness. Light reds and rosés (Muscat Bailey A) complement Izumo warigo soba and Matsue tai-meshi (sea bream rice). Fuller reds (Merlot, Fuji no Yume from Iwami Winery) match Shimane Wagyu beef, a fixture at Shimane Winery's BBQ house. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from elevated Yokota Vineyard (430m) suit nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) with its rich fat. Sparkling Delaware Brut pairs with Oki Island rock oysters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Shimane wines unique compared to other Japanese wine regions?
- Shimane stands out for three reasons: (1) Geography — the Chugoku Mountains create a continental microclimate with 10°C+ day-night temperature swings that lock in grape acidity and flavor concentration. (2) Heritage — Shimane Winery has been crafting wine since 1959, making it one of Japan's oldest active wineries. (3) Awards — Shimane Winery broke a long-standing Yamanashi monopoly by winning the Koshu Gold Award at the 2019 Japan Wine Competition, and again won gold in the same category in 2024. The prefecture has three very different wineries (tourist winery, eco boutique, national-park producer) giving visitors a range of styles.
- Which wineries can I visit in Shimane, and what is each one like?
- Shimane has three wineries: (1) Shimane Winery (Izumo, 5 min from Izumo Taisha) — the largest, with free factory tours, free tastings of ~10 wines, a BBQ house featuring Shimane Wagyu, and a gift shop. Flagship: Enmusubi series (Koshu, MBA, Chardonnay, sparkling Delaware). (2) Okuizumo Vineyard (Unnan) — an eco-conscious boutique winery producing ~50,000 bottles/year; known for Koboji (a wild-grape hybrid) and Chardonnay. Features a guesthouse, restaurant, and wine cellar gallery. (3) Iwami Winery (Oda, near Mt. Sanbe) — Japan's only winery inside a national park, with 4.7 ha of vineyards growing Merlot, Chardonnay, and local hybrids like Fuji no Yume. Offers red, white, rosé, and orange wines.
- Can I buy Shimane wine outside the prefecture?
- Yes. Shimane Winery operates an official online shop (shimane-winery.shop) with nationwide shipping — free shipping on orders over ¥11,000. Okuizumo wines are also available via select Japanese wine online retailers. For a wider selection including all three wineries, specialty Japanese wine shops like wa-syu or IMADEYA carry rotating stock. Visiting the wineries in person is the most reliable way to access limited-edition and seasonal releases.