Japan makes wine. Good wine. And while most visitors associate Japanese alcohol with sake and whisky, the country’s wine regions have been quietly producing world-class bottles for decades. Nowhere is this transformation more exciting than in Nagano Prefecture — known locally as Shinshu — where high-altitude vineyards nestled against the Japanese Alps are crafting wines that rival anything from Yamanashi, Japan’s traditional wine heartland.
This spring, a new Shinshu Wine Tasting Bus Tour runs from May 30 through June 21, offering a guided journey through the region’s best wineries with ten wines included in the price. Combined with the long-running Craft Fair Matsumoto on May 30–31, this is the perfect excuse to spend a late-spring weekend in Japan’s mountain heartland.
Why Nagano Wine?
Nagano’s winemaking boom is no accident. The prefecture sits at elevations between 500 and 800 meters, with dramatic temperature swings between day and night — conditions that concentrate flavors in the grapes. The continental climate is drier than coastal regions, reducing disease pressure and allowing longer hang time on the vine.
Key grape varieties include Merlot (Nagano’s flagship red), Chardonnay, Concord, and the native Niagara and Muscat Bailey A. Increasingly, ambitious producers are experimenting with Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and even Nebbiolo. The Kikyogahara and Chikumagawa areas have earned particular recognition, with several wineries winning gold at international competitions.
The Bus Tour Experience
The Shinshu Wine Tasting Bus Tour departs from Nagano or Matsumoto (routes vary by date) and visits 2–3 wineries over a half-day itinerary. Your ticket includes:
- Ten wine tastings across multiple producers
- Commentary from a local wine guide (primarily in Japanese, but tasting notes are often available in English)
- Return bus transport so you can taste freely without worrying about driving
The tour is especially appealing because Nagano’s wineries are spread across valleys that would be difficult to visit without a car. The bus solves that problem elegantly.
Expect to taste crisp Chardonnays with mineral notes from high-altitude vineyards, medium-bodied Merlots with earthy undertones, and aromatic whites from the Niagara grape — a hybrid variety that produces fragrant, slightly sweet wines perfect for summer sipping.
Craft Fair Matsumoto (May 30–31)
If your timing aligns, don’t miss Craft Fair Matsumoto, held in and around Agata-no-Mori Park beneath Matsumoto Castle. Now in its fourth decade, this open-air artisan market brings together over 250 ceramicists, woodworkers, glass blowers, leather craftspeople, and textile artists from across Japan. The castle’s black walls and the snow-capped Alps behind it make for an unforgettable backdrop.
Stroll the stalls, chat with makers, pick up one-of-a-kind pieces — a handmade wine cup from a local potter pairs nicely with the bottles you’ll bring home from the wine tour.
Side Trip: Kamikochi
For nature lovers, a day trip to Kamikochi is non-negotiable. This alpine valley at 1,500 meters in the Northern Alps is one of Japan’s most spectacular mountain landscapes. The Azusa River runs crystal-clear through the valley floor, flanked by peaks that still carry snow in late May.
The classic walk from Kappa Bridge to Myojin Pond takes about 90 minutes round-trip on flat, well-maintained paths. Private cars are banned — access is by bus from Matsumoto (about 90 minutes via the Shin-Shimashima terminal) or from Takayama on the Gifu side.
Getting There
From Tokyo: Take the JR Limited Express Azusa from Shinjuku to Matsumoto (about 2.5 hours). Alternatively, the Hokuriku Shinkansen reaches Nagano Station in about 1.5 hours, from where you can connect to the wine tour or take the Shinonoi Line to Matsumoto.
From Nagoya/Osaka: The JR Shinano Limited Express runs from Nagoya to Matsumoto in about 2 hours through scenic mountain gorges.
Getting around: Rent a car in Matsumoto if you want to explore wineries independently. Many wineries are in the Shiojiri and Azumino areas, 20–40 minutes from central Matsumoto.
Where to Stay
Matsumoto has a range of accommodations from business hotels near the station to traditional ryokan in the Asama Onsen hot spring district (a 20-minute bus ride from the center). For a splurge, the ryokan in Asama offer outdoor baths with mountain views — the perfect way to end a day of wine tasting.
A Wine Region Coming of Age
Nagano’s wine scene is still young enough to feel exciting and accessible. Winery owners are often the same people pouring your tastings, happy to explain their philosophy and walk you through the vineyards. There’s none of the formality you might encounter in established wine regions elsewhere. Come with curiosity, an open palate, and comfortable shoes. You’ll leave with bottles, memories, and probably a plan to come back in autumn for the harvest.
Image: Azumino Winery in Nagano Prefecture, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
