Yamanashi Wine Discovery One Day Private Tour from Tokyo, Tokyo

About this activity

Escape the crowds and discover a side of Japan few international visitors experience on this exclusive journey into the heart of Yamanashi, Japan's premier wine region. Travel sustainably by limited express train before exploring the vineyards of Katsunuma by private hybrid vehicle. Enjoy an exclusive visit to the renowned Katsunuma Jozo Winery, stroll through its vineyards, learn about Japan's unique winemaking traditions, and sample elegant wines crafted from the indigenous Koshu grape. Savor a memorable lunch at Restaurant Kaze, where seasonal cuisine is perfectly paired with local wines. Visit the historic Daizenji Temple, affectionately known as the "Temple of Grapes," home to a National Treasure hall and the legendary Buddha Wine. Combining authentic cultural experiences, exceptional cuisine, sustainable travel, and breathtaking vineyard scenery beneath the foothills of Mt. Fuji, this tour offers an unforgettable introduction to the fascinating world of Japanese wine.

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At a glance

Duration: 9 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–6
Guide: English
Operated by: Japan Gray Line

Ages: Infants (0–5 years) · Children (6–11 years) · Adults (12–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Private transportation
Included: Round-trip reserved-seat tickets on the Limited Express train
Included: Wine tasting
Included: Entrance fees: Entrance fee
Included: Round trip tickets from and to your hotel to Tokyo Station
Included: Licensed English-speaking guide

Not included

Not included: Gratuity (not obligatory)
Not included: Lunch

Itinerary

Stop 1

1 h 30 min Admission included

Your journey begins with hotel pick-up at most hotels in central Tokyo (within approximately a 7 km radius of Chiyoda Ward). Your friendly, knowledgeable guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you by subway to Shinjuku Station, where you will board a limited express train bound for Yamanashi Prefecture.

Blessed with abundant nature and spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, Yamanashi is Japan's premier wine-producing region. Your destination is Katsunuma, one of the country's most renowned wine towns, reached in approximately 90 minutes.

This exclusive wine tour is also designed with sustainability in mind. Rather than traveling by private vehicle, you will use Japan's efficient rail network to reach the region, reducing your environmental impact while enjoying a comfortable and authentic travel experience. By choosing public transportation, the tour helps minimize carbon emissions and supports more sustainable tourism.
Isawa Onsen Station

Passing by

After a scenic 1.5-hour train journey through the beautiful mountain landscapes of Yamanashi Prefecture, your guide will arrange a private eco-friendly hybrid vehicle and escort you into the fascinating world of Japanese wine.
Katsunuma Winery

one hour Admission included

Nestled in the heart of Katsunuma, Yamanashi Prefecture, Katsunuma Jozo Winery is one of Japan's most respected family-owned wineries, with a history dating back to 1937. Dedicated to expressing the unique character of Japan's native grape varieties and local terroir, the winery has earned an outstanding reputation both domestically and internationally for producing refined, elegant wines.

During your visit, you will enjoy a guided tour of the vineyard, where you will learn about the cultivation of grapes in Japan's ideal wine-growing climate and the philosophy behind the winery's meticulous craftsmanship. Your guide will introduce the winemaking process, from the vineyard to the bottle, offering fascinating insights into one of Japan's leading wine producers.

Following the tour, you will have the opportunity to sample a selection of the winery's signature wines in a relaxed tasting experience.
Stop 4

one hour

Located among the vineyards of Katsunuma, Restaurant Kaze is operated by Katsunuma Jozo Winery and offers Western-style cuisine with a distinctly Japanese touch.

The restaurant is renowned for its signature roast beef, prepared for exceptional tenderness and rich flavor. Seasonal dishes highlight fresh local ingredients, and a selection of Katsunuma Jozo wines is available, with staff happy to recommend the perfect pairing.

Surrounded by beautiful vineyards, Restaurant Kaze is an ideal place to experience the flavors of Japan's premier wine region.
Daiszenji Temple

50 min Admission included

Founded over 1,200 years ago, Daizenji Temple is affectionately known as Budo-dera, or the "Temple of Grapes." According to tradition, the temple is closely connected with the origins of grape cultivation in Japan, making it a unique destination where history, Buddhism, and wine culture come together.

The temple's historic Yakushi-do Hall has been designated a National Treasure and enshrines a rare, hidden statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing, holding a bunch of grapes—a remarkable symbol found nowhere else in Japan. The sacred statue is normally hidden from public view and is displayed only on special occasions.

Continuing a tradition that dates back centuries, Daizenji Temple cultivates its own grapes and produces wine, often referred to as "Buddha Wine." During your visit, you will have the opportunity to taste this distinctive wine while learning about the temple's fascinating connection to both Japanese Buddhism and the history of winemaking in Yamanashi.
Isawa Onsen Station

1 h 30 min Admission included

After completing the day's activities, you will return to the station and board the limited express train back to Tokyo. Sit back, relax, and enjoy another scenic 90-minute journey to Shinjuku Station.

Upon arrival, your guide will accompany you by subway back to your hotel in central Tokyo, where the tour concludes with hotel drop-off.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

HOTEL MYSTAYS Ueno Iriyaguchi
Hotel Livemax Asakusa Ekimae
Hotel Livemax Asakusabashi-eki Kitaguchi
Candeo Hotels Ueno-Park
Hotel Tourist Inn Ueno Okachimachi
The Hideout Tokyo
APA Hotel Ueno Inaricho Ekikita
Business Hotel Yamayuri
Dormy Inn EXPRESS Asakusa
Asakusa View Hotel Annex Rokku
Asakusa Home Suites Tokyo
Nest Hotel Tokyo Yaesu

and 961 more pickup points

We will inform you of the exact meeting spot at the hotel you choose as your meeting point. Please arrive at the meeting spot 5 minutes before the tour begins.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A subway or local JR train will be used after picking you up at your hotel, and the same applies for the drop-off service.
If your hotel is situated outside our designated pick-up range and alternative transportation, such as a subway, is not feasible, guests are responsible for covering the fare. This includes the cost for both the guide's transportation to the first destination and from the last destination back to your hotel.
Due to weather condition or other operational reasons, the itinerary may be subject to change or certain visits may be omitted or substituted. Even in such circumstances, the tour may not be canceled, and the tour fare will not be refunded.
Alcoholic beverages cannot be served to guests aged 19 or younger.