Did you know that there is a winery with an impressive castle-like exterior in Asahi Town, Yamagata Prefecture?

Asahi Town Wine, located in Asahi Town, is a popular winery where you can enjoy authentic wine made with local grapes. It also offers tastings and tours of some of the production process, making it a must-visit for wine lovers.

In this article, we will report in detail on the charms of Asahi Town Wine, which we discovered after visiting the winery. If you are a fan of alcohol or wine, be sure to check it out.

What kind of facility is Asahimachi Wine in Asahimachi?

Located almost in the center of Yamagata Prefecture, Asahi Town is a region rich in nature and thriving in fruit cultivation. It is particularly famous for its apple and grape production, and has long been known for making wine using these bounty items. Asahi Town Wine is one of its symbols. Also known as the “Wine Castle,” its castle-like exterior, true to its name, is a popular photogenic spot for tourists.

The surrounding area is covered with vineyards, and the different scenery you can enjoy with each season is also an attraction. From summer to autumn, you can be enveloped in the scent of ripe grapes, and in winter you can spend a quiet time surrounded by snowy scenery.

Inside the museum, you can sample wine, tour the production line, and even purchase local souvenirs. It’s a great place to stop by while sightseeing, as well as for those who want to enjoy wine at their own pace.

80 Years of Winemaking! The History of Asahimachi Wine

Asahimachi Wine was founded in 1944 and has been making wine using 100% locally grown grapes for over 80 years. Based on the philosophy that “good wine comes from excellent grapes,” the wine is made from grapes grown in their own vineyards and by contracted farmers.

The Wine Castle facility was completed in 2000, making it a winery with tours that tourists can easily drop in to. Inside the building, you can tour the bottling line, and one of the attractions is being able to see the process through glass.
Furthermore, many of the wines have won gold medals in wine competitions, proving their high quality.

Introducing recommended wines from Asahimachi Wine

Asahimachi wine’s signature varieties are Muscat Bailey A and Black Queen, popular among locals as easy-to-drink red wines. One of the most representative is the multiple award-winning Kashiwara Vineyard Late Harvest Red. Late-harvested grapes store a lot of sugar, which gives them a viscous mouthfeel and richness, resulting in wines with a very dense flavor. In particular, Kashiwara’s Muscat Bailey A grapes retain their acidity even when harvested late, and are known for their excellent balance of sugar and acidity.

The sweet rosé and white wines made with Delaware grapes are also recommended for wine novices and women. They also offer seasonal wines and a service to create original labels, making them perfect for anniversaries or souvenirs!

Compare wines! Tasting at Asahimachi Wine Castle

At Asahimachi Wine Castle, you can always sample over 40 different types of wine. The tasting corner is equipped with a dedicated server, and you can enjoy pouring one glass at a time into a disposable cup. This makes it easy to compare different wines.

This time, we had a sweet rosé, a sweet white wine, and grape juice. Both wines were soft on the palate, and the sweetness of the fruit was apparent, making them very easy to drink. Even those who don’t like dry wines can enjoy the flavors, and we had a relaxing time.

There’s also grape juice, so kids can enjoy it too!

For children and those who don’t like alcohol, grape juice tasting is also available. This juice has a moderate sweetness and a slightly bitter flavor that adults can enjoy as well.

While it might be a little too adult for young children, the museum also sells merchandise featuring the local mascot, “Momoiro Usahi,” making a great souvenir for kids!

Is there also an “Asahi Town Wine Festival” where you can enjoy Asahi Town Wine’s special wines and barbecue?

The “Asahi Town Wine Festival,” held every autumn in Asahi Town, Yamagata Prefecture, is a popular town event where you can enjoy Asahi Town Wine’s special wines and charcoal-grilled barbecues. At the venue, participants who have purchased a “wine ticket” in advance will be given a 720ml bottle of their choice of red, white, or rosé wine to enjoy while grilling a set of meat and vegetables over a charcoal fire.

“Non-alcoholic tickets” are also available for children and those who don’t drink alcohol, making it great for families to enjoy! Asahimachi Wine’s special “grape juice” will also be available separately and is open to all ticket holders, so be sure to give it a try. There will also be sales of local specialties and snacks, a raffle, and more, creating a lively atmosphere. Tickets are sold in advance and are limited in number, so if you’d like to participate, we recommend purchasing your tickets early.

Access information for Asahimachi Wine

If you’re visiting Asahimachi Wine by car, it’s about 20 minutes from the Sagae Interchange on the Yamagata Expressway. By public transport, you can also take a bus from Atase Station on the JR Atase Line. Parking is available, making it convenient for family drive trips. The venue for the Asahimachi Wine Festival is at a different location (Asahimachi Eco Museum Core Center Soyukan Shibahiro), and a shuttle bus to the venue also operates (departing from JR Sagae Station (via JR Atase Station)).

For more details, please check the official website.

Stop by after visiting Asahimachi Wine Castle! Introducing nearby facilities

After enjoying the Wine Castle, why not take a trip to explore Asahimachi’s unique natural beauty and tourist attractions?

• Sawadaira Rice Terraces (Ipponmatsu Park): A spectacular spot selected as one of Japan’s 100 best rice terraces. The seasonal rural scenery is captivating.
• Air Shrine: A rare shrine dedicated to “air.” A place where you can experience coexistence with nature.
• Onuma’s Floating Islands: A mystical spot where small islands floating in the lake create a beautiful landscape.
• Ringo Onsen: A unique hot spring with floating apples. Especially popular from fall to winter.
• Asahimachi Ringo no Mori Roadside Station: A convenient spot to purchase local produce and souvenirs.

We have also introduced Kuuki Shrine in another article, so please read that as well!

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[Asahi Town, Yamagata] Visiting Air Shrine | A Mysterious Spot Enshrining Air

Hello! This time, I went to Air Shrine in Asahi Town, Yamagata Prefecture, a very rare shrine in the world where the air itself is enshrined as a sacred object. Air Shrine is a popular mystical shrine where you can take photos that look great on social media. In this article, we will introduce in detail the characteristics of Air Shrine, how to worship there, and the appeal of the approach to the shrine, so please read on. Where is...

Hello! This time, I went to Air Shrine in Asahi Town, Yamagata Prefecture, a very rare shrine in the world where the air itself is enshrined as a sacred object. Air Shrine is a popular mystical shrine where you can take photos that look great on social media. In this article, we will introduce in detail the characteristics of Air Shrine, how to worship there, and the appeal of the approach to the shrine, so please read on. Where is...

Summary

Asahimachi Wine Castle is a facility that excites with its castle-like exterior and allows you to have fun finding your favorite bottle in the tasting corner. It’s also recommended for families, as you can purchase grape juice, merchandise, and even see some of the wine production process.

The surrounding area is also rich in nature, with terraced rice fields and hot springs, making it a great place to spend the whole day. If you’re visiting Yamagata Prefecture, be sure to stop by Asahimachi Wine Castle.

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Hey everyone, have you heard of Asahi Town in Yamagata Prefecture? Nestled in the central part of Yamagata Prefecture, Asahi Town is surrounded by mountains and rich in nature. It's known for local specialties like apples and other fruit trees, honey, and wine. And for some reason, it's also a town where ostriches are raised and displayed for free. But perhaps “Pink Usahi” is even more famous nationwide than “Asahi Town” itself. Join us on a journey to explore Asahi...

Hey everyone, have you heard of Asahi Town in Yamagata Prefecture? Nestled in the central part of Yamagata Prefecture, Asahi Town is surrounded by mountains and rich in nature. It's known for local specialties like apples and other fruit trees, honey, and wine. And for some reason, it's also a town where ostriches are raised and displayed for free. But perhaps “Pink Usahi” is even more famous nationwide than “Asahi Town” itself. Join us on a journey to explore Asahi...