If you have been meaning to try Japanese wine where it is actually made, November 3 is an easy day to do it. Katsunuma Budo no Oka (勝沼ぶどうの丘) in Koshu City, Yamanashi, is holding the Katsunuma Shinshu Wine Matsuri (かつぬま新酒ワインまつり) to mark the release of this year’s new wine. One 3,000 yen pass gets you a festival glass and 10 tasting tickets, there will be food stalls, and it all runs from 10:00 to 16:00 on a public holiday.
Below is what the pass covers, when to turn up, and the rules you should know before you plan the trip.
What the festival is
Shinshu wine is new wine: wine made from that year’s harvest and released in the same season. Katsunuma is one of the best known wine areas in Japan, and this festival is timed to the day the new vintage goes on release.
There are three parts to the day:
- Paid tasting of new wines, so you can compare a few before deciding what you like.
- Bottle sales, so you can take home the one you liked best.
- Food stalls to eat with the wine.
The announcement comes from Koshu City, and the event is held at Katsunuma Budo no Oka.
Event details at a glance
| Event | Katsunuma Shinshu Wine Matsuri (かつぬま新酒ワインまつり) |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (national holiday) |
| Hours | 10:00–16:00 (tasting starts at 10:00) |
| Glass and tickets | On sale from 8:30 Glass sales end at 15:00 |
| Venue | Katsunuma Budo no Oka (甲州市勝沼ぶどうの丘) |
| Address | 5093 Hishiyama, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu, Yamanashi (山梨県甲州市勝沼町菱山5093) |
| What is on | Paid tasting and sale of new wine, food stalls and more |
| Tasting fee | 3,000 yen (tax included) original glass + 10 tasting tickets |
| Organizer | Koshu City, Yamanashi |
| Official info | Koshu City event page |
How the 3,000 yen tasting pass works
Tasting is not free. You buy a set for 3,000 yen including tax, which comes with:
- an original festival glass
- 10 tasting tickets
A few details worth knowing:
- More tickets are on sale if 10 is not enough. The announcement does not give the price of the extra tickets, so check at the venue.
- Tickets can be swapped for silver coins that work in the wine servers inside the facility. This exchange is for the event day only, so do not plan to keep them for a later visit.
- A commemorative tote bag goes to early buyers on a first-come basis. How many bags there are is not stated.
Timing your visit
- 8:30Glass and ticket sales open
- 10:00Tasting begins and the festival opens
- 15:00Last chance to buy a glass
- 16:00Festival closes
Two things decide when you should arrive. If you want the tote bag, come early, since it goes to the first buyers. And if you are coming in the afternoon, note that glass sales stop at 15:00, an hour before the festival ends.
Before you go: age, driving and payment
- 20 and over only. Alcohol is sold and served only to people aged 20 or older.
- No wine for drivers. Anyone driving will not be sold or served alcohol. If your group is coming by car, decide in advance who is driving, because that person will not be able to join the tasting.
- Access and parking are not covered in the announcement. Check the Koshu City event page before you set off.
- Payment methods are not listed either. If you are still sorting out a card for day-to-day spending here, our guide to credit cards in Japan for foreigners covers where to start.
FAQ
- When and where is the Katsunuma new wine festival?
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (a national holiday), from 10:00 to 16:00 at Katsunuma Budo no Oka, 5093 Hishiyama, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu, Yamanashi.
- How much does the wine tasting cost?
- 3,000 yen including tax, which gets you an original glass and 10 tasting tickets. Extra tickets are also sold, but the announcement does not give their price.
- What time should I arrive?
- Glass and ticket sales start at 8:30 and tasting begins at 10:00. Glass sales end at 15:00. A commemorative tote bag goes to early buyers on a first-come basis, but the number of bags is not stated.
- Can I use my tasting tickets later?
- Tickets can be exchanged for silver coins used in the wine servers inside the facility, but only on the event day.
- Can drivers or people under 20 join the tasting?
- No. Alcohol is sold and served only to people aged 20 or over, and not to anyone who is driving.
Looking for more days out? We have also covered the Shibaura Canal Festival and its free canal cruises, the Setagaya Tamagawa Fireworks, and the Musashino Art University Festival.
Source: Koshu City and the city’s press release (October 26, 2026). Details may change, so check the official page before you go.
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