What kind of image do the words “homegrown Japanese wines” bring to mind? Koshu wines have always been made to go well with Japanese cuisine, a cuisine that lets the ingredients speak for themselves. But the taste and aroma of Koshu wines, and the way they grace a dining table, go beyond Japan’s gastronomic traditions to resonate with the intricately woven passage of the seasons, the spaces in which we live and the way we use them, and the way we seek to explore and enjoy our world.
These wines are made from Koshu grapes, an indigenous Japanese variety of grape. We have put together this collection of images to provide some glimpses—places, spaces, settings, and dishes— of the world in which Koshu wines have evolved and how they can be enjoyed. We hope they will give you an appreciation of the kind of pleasure that goes well with Koshu wine.
Thinly sliced pufferfish sashimi
河豚の薄造り
Grace Koshu
by Grace Wine
at Beniya MUKAYU
Afternoon sun slanting into a reading room
西日が差すホテルの読書室と、茶器の写真集
Kurambon Koshu
by Kurambon Wine
at LOG
Hors d’oeuvre inspired by the water garden
水庭をイメージしたアミューズブーシュ
Solaris Yamanashi Koshu Sur Lie
MANNS WINES
at Art Biotop
Veranda with a view / An inviting flagstone path
庭を眺められる広縁がある旅館の客室/庭の石畳
Limited Hosaka Koshu Barrel Aging
by Soryu Winery Co.,Ltd
at Beniya MUKAYU
A lacquer-varnished table set over a sunken heater
旅館の客室。ふき漆のテーブルが備えられた掘りごたつ
Solaris Yamanashi Koshu Sur Lie
by Manns Wines
at Beniya MUKAYU
Glass table reflecting the season
季節が映り込む硝子テーブル
Fujiclair Koshu Sur Lie
by Fujiclair
at Beniya MUKAYU
Dried whitebait with sansho pepper
ちりめん山椒
Curious Type N
by Soryu Winery Co.,Ltd
at Kakushokaku in Sankeien Garden
Room terrace with a bamboo floor
旅館の客室。竹敷の広縁
Aruga Branca PIPA
by Aruga Branca
at Beniya MUKAYU
A glimpse of Onomichi Channel through sliding screens
障子戸の先に見える尾道水道
Prestige Class Orange
by Lumiere
at LOG
Dining in pillared splendour / Spring vegetable appetizer
25本の柱が林立する、旅館のダイニング/春野菜の前菜
Aruga Branca CLAREZA
by Aruga Branca
at Beniya MUKAYU
Sacred lily set in a minimal tokonoma /
A sprig of lizard’s tail gracing a wall
旅館の客室にある床の間に生けた万年青/壁に掛けられた半夏生
Solaris Yamanashi Koshu Sur Lie
by Manns Wines
at Beniya MUKAYU
Personalized herbal spa treatment
体調に即して薬草を調合する、旅館のスパトリートメント
Aruga Branca CLAREZA
by Aruga Branca
at Beniya MUKAYU
Negoro oshiki tray with angled corners, from Muromachi period (1336–1573)
室町時代につくられた根来折敷
Limited Hosaka Koshu Barrel Aging
by Soryu Winery Co.,Ltd
at Seisoka
The quiet of a winter forest
乾いた空気が流れる冬の森
Tomi no Oka Koshu
by Suntory Tomi No Oka Winery
at Art Biotop
Deep-fried taro balls
里芋の揚げ餅
Château Mercian Yamanashi Koshu
by Château Mercian
at LOG
Thin-sliced wild sea bream sashimi
天然鯛の薄造り
Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu
by Grace Wine
at KAMENOI Villa
Stone lantern in the courtyard
ホテルの前庭にある石灯籠
Fujiclair Koshu barrel fermentation
by Fujiclair
at LOG
A hint of snow from the library window
旅館の客室に設えられた書院から眺める粉雪
Grace Koshu
by Grace Wine
at Beniya MUKAYU
View from the foyer of a snow country retreat
旅館のロビーの窓から見える雪景色
Lumiere Sparkling Koshu
by Lumiere
at Beniya MUKAYU
Sliding doors and a wood shingle roof
柿葺の屋根と格子戸
Curious Type N
by Soryu Winery Co.,Ltd
at Kakushokaku in Sankeien Garden
A quiet courtyard
邸宅の主人も座っていたであろう、前庭に面した縁側
Fujiclair Koshu barrel fermentation
by Fujiclair
at Kakushokaku in Sankeien Garden
Tatami room, veranda, garden ̶ a very Japanese progression
邸宅の茶の間にある縁側は、座敷から段差なく連なっている
Haramo Koshu Lees contact
by Haramo Wine
at Kakushokaku in Sankeien Garden
The living room of a guest suite and a well outside
旅館の客室と、その外廊にある井戸
Japan Premium Koshu
by Suntory Tomi No Oka Winery
at KAMENOI Villa
A high-ceilinged tatami room that feels spacious even with chairs
邸宅の居間は畳敷きでありながら天井を高くし、椅子がある暮らしに順応している
Prestige Class Orange
by Lumiere
at Kakushokaku in Sankeien Garden
A wine glass made in the 1920s for use on a yacht
1920年代につくられた、ヨットのためのワイングラス
Grace Koshu
by Grace Wine
at Seisoka
Seared local chicken slices and chopsticks of green bamboo
地鶏の刺身と、青竹の箸
Aruga Branca PIPA
by Aruga Branca
at GAJOEN
Black-lacquered square oshiki tray with a camellia-styled egg appetizer
in an earthenware dish
真塗四方折敷と、かわらけに盛られた椿玉子
Koshu Sparkling Kobo-no-awa brut
by Manns Wines
at Seisoka
Traditional tea room with a tokonoma recess on the left,
and a nijiriguchi (small doorway of tearoom for guests) on the right
料亭にある三畳台目の茶室。左奥に床の間、右奥に躙口
Solaris Yamanashi Koshu Sur Lie
by Manns Wines
at Seisoka
Villa deck overlooking a forest stream
渓流を見下ろせるヴィラのテラス
Kurambon Barrel Aged Koshu
by Kurambon Wine
at Art Biotop
Wine in a kiriko glass with an appetizer of lobster in white miso /
Sesame tofu with semi-dried sea cucumber ovary in clear dashi soup
切子グラスと伊勢海老の白味噌仕立/半生このこ火取り 胡麻豆腐 清汁仕立
Château Mercian Fuefuki Koshu Gris de Gris
by Château Mercian
at Seisoka
Roasted naganegi, a giant spring onion that is a staple of Japanese cuisine
下仁田葱の一本焼き
Kurambon Koshu
by Kurambon Wine
at KAMENOI Villa
Restaurant table with a panoramic view of the water garden
軒越しに水庭が見えるレストラン
Kurambon Barrel Aged Koshu
by Kurambon Wine
at Art Biotop
Wine in a hand-cut crystal glass and sweet black soybeans in a kiriko glass
ハンドカットクリスタルグラスと、切子グラスに盛られた黒豆蜜煮
Aruga Branca CLAREZA
by Aruga Branca
at Seisoka
Deep-fried tuna cubes served on a chestnut tray
沢栗盆に振る舞われた鮪の麩揚げ
Kurambon Koshu
by Kurambon Wine
at Seisoka
An exquisitely laid out water garden of trees and interlacing ponds
緻密に配された318本の樹木と160の池からなる水庭
Japan Premium Koshu
by Suntory Tomi No Oka Winery
at Art Biotop
A single camellia bud arranged in a vase from Muromachi period (1336–1573)
料亭にある茶室の床の間に生けた椿
Prestige Class Orange
by Lumiere
at Seisoka
The water garden captured in a glass of wine
ワインに映り込む水庭
Kurambon Barrel Aged Koshu
by Kurambon Wine
at Art Biotop
An interior wall made of stone excavated during construction
ヴィラの内壁には、敷地を造成中に出土した石が使われている
Japan Premium Koshu
by Suntory Tomi No Oka Winery
at Art Biotop
Red camellia,“ admirable modesty” in Japanese flower language
日本の花言葉で、赤椿は「謙虚な美徳」
Tomi no Oka Koshu
by Suntory Tomi No Oka Winery
at LOG
The port city of Onomichi
尾道の街なみ
Prestige Class Orange
by Lumiere
at LOG
A deck for moon-gazing
月見台
Haramo Koshu
by Haramo Wine
at Izumo House / Setouchi Minato no Yado
Looking out onto the tea house garden
尾道の街の喧騒から外れた屋敷。路地庭と濡れ縁
Curious Type N
by Soryu Winery Co.,Ltd
at Izumo House / Setouchi Minato no Yado
Washi paper on floor, wall and ceiling, creating a unique space
ホテルの客室の、床、壁、天井には和紙が張られている
Lumiere Sparkling Koshu
by Lumiere
at LOG
An old gramophone in the lounge /
Steam rising from the surface of a lake near a hot spring inflow
旅館の談話室にある蓄音機/温泉が流れ込み、湖面から湯気が立ち上がる金鱗湖
Château Mercian Fuefuki Koshu Gris de Gris
by Château Mercian
at KAMENOI Villa
A snug upstairs cubbyhole
江戸時代に役人が常駐していた屋敷。2階の回り廊下
Fujiclair Koshu barrel fermentation
by Fujiclair
at Izumo House / Setouchi Minato no Yado
Traditional pickled vegetables in a quiet southern Kyushu retreat
薩摩の大地で採れる野菜を漬けたお新香
Château Mercian Yamanashi Koshu
by Château Mercian
at GAJOEN
Crispy carp
鯉せんべい
Solaris Yamanashi Koshu Sur Lie
by Manns Wines
at KAMENOI Villa
A café created by renovating the attic of a transplanted
late Edo period sake brewery
江戸末期の造り酒屋を移築し、屋根裏を改装した喫茶
Haramo Koshu
by Haramo Wine
at KAMENOI Villa
A garden view
旅館の客室。縁側から眺める庭
Haramo Koshu Lees contact
by Haramo Wine
at KAMENOI Villa
Patio facing the courtyard / Thatch and tile roof
中庭付きの旅館の客室/茅葺き屋根と瓦屋根の連なり
Château Mercian Yamanashi Koshu
by Château Mercian
at KAMENOI Villa
Study / Thatched gate with Mt. Yufu beyond
旅館の客室にある書斎/旅人を出迎える茅葺の門と、背景には由布岳
Haramo Koshu Lees contact
by Haramo Wine
at KAMENOI Villa
Japanese char grilling on skewers in the hearth
串に刺された岩魚が焼かれる囲炉裏
Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu
by Grace Wine
at TSURUNOYU
Snow building up on the thatched roofs of houses surrounding the inn
窓越しに見える積雪した茅葺き屋根の群れ
Japan Premium Koshu
by Suntory Tomi No Oka Winery
at TSURUNOYU
A hearth frame widened over time to provide space for local delicacies
食器類が置けるように時代を経て太くなっていった、囲炉裏の框
Château Mercian Fuefuki Koshu Gris de Gris
by Château Mercian
at TSURUNOYU
An exceptional 43 m-long thatched lodge at an Akita hot spring
桁行で43mに及ぶ、茅葺寄棟造の古民家
Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu
by Grace Wine
at TSURUNOYU
Char grilling in a hearth /
Nyuto Onsen’s famous milky-white sulfur hot spring
囲炉裏で焼かれる岩魚/乳頭温泉の白濁した硫黄泉
Tomi no Oka Koshu
by Suntory Tomi No Oka Winery
at TSURUNOYU
Icicles, a winter fixture in Japan’s deep north / Natural chilling
東北の積雪地域で見られるつらら/自然の冷蔵庫
Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu
by Grace Wine
at TSURUNOYU
Smoked radish and pickled vegetables / Pampas grass fence
いぶりがっことお新香/古民家宿の垣根の塀
Aruga Branca PIPA
by Aruga Branca
at TSURUNOYU
A den built to house this hearth
宿泊客が憩う囲炉裏小屋
Aruga Branca CLAREZA
by Aruga Branca
at GAJOEN
Thatched roofs reflected in wine
映り込む茅葺き屋根
Limited Hosaka Koshu Barrel Aging
by Soryu Winery Co.,Ltd
at GAJOEN
Porch space for washing and processing fresh vegetables
新鮮な野菜が集まる、旅館の水屋
Haramo Koshu Lees contact
by Haramo Wine
at GAJOEN
Vegetables drying under the eaves
垣や軒桁に干された野菜は、宿の食事で振る舞われる
Fujiclair Koshu barrel fermentation
by Fujiclair
at GAJOEN
A deck overlooking a gurgling stream /
Vegetables chilling in a stone sink
渓流を眺められるレストランのテラス/貯水場で冷やされる野菜
Fujiclair Koshu barrel fermentation
by Fujiclair
at GAJOEN
A collection of lovingly preserved thatched farmhouses
redolent of the Japan of old
茅葺屋根の古民家が並ぶ宿。集落のような日本の原風景
Haramo Koshu
by Haramo Wine
at GAJOEN
En-suite hot spring bath equipped with
a mattress to stretch out on between soaks
宿の客室に設えられた、風呂上がりにそのまま飛び込めるベッドソファ
Kurambon Barrel Aged Koshu
by Kurambon Wine
at GAJOEN
A bath carved out of a 20-ton rock
宿の浴場は、約20tの巨大な一枚岩をくりぬいて造られたもの
Koshu Sparkling Kobo-no-awa brut
by Manns Wines
at GAJOEN
A tatami room ideal for relaxing with a good book
旅館の客室。座敷に設えられた、足を下せる書院
Limited Hosaka Koshu Barrel Aging
by Soryu Winery Co.,Ltd
at KAMENOI Villa
The welcoming glow of a LOG fire
旅の途中で、囲炉裏を囲む一期一会
Château Mercian Yamanashi Koshu
by Château Mercian
at GAJOEN
An open-air bath sunken into a tiled roof
瓦屋根を穿ってつくられた露天風呂がある、旅館の客室
Fujiclair Koshu Sur Lie
by Fujiclair
at KAMENOI Villa
Counter with a bamboo grove view
竹林の切り取られたカウンター
at evam eva yamanashi in Yamanashi
Seasonal treats from the garden
庭で採れた季節の食材が饗される
at evam eva yamanashi in Yamanashi
A house designed to resonate with the forest
生い茂る木々に合わせて設計された家屋
at evam eva yamanashi in Yamanashi
Tea room with a garden view
茶室から眺める緑の庭園
at Ando family housing in Yamanashi
Once the home of a village headman, unchanged from Edo times
江戸時代の名主が暮らした屋敷。往時のままの姿を残す
at Ando family housing in Yamanashi
Slivers of freshly picked boletus mushroom
アカヤマドリタケのフレッシュサラダ
at Restaurant ASHIHANA in Yamanashi
Braised boletus mushroom / A mushroom season harvest
アカヤマドリタケのステーキ/多種多様な採れたてのキノコ
at Restaurant ASHIHANA in Yamanashi
Charcoal-grilled cherry salmon from Mt. Kentoku
乾徳山の天子の炭焼き
at Fuefukigawa Onsen Zabou in Yamanashi
Lush bamboo grove captured in a glass of wine
ワインに映り込む青々とした竹林
at Fuefukigawa Onsen Zabou in Yamanashi
Counter made from a single slab of Japanese cypress
8.4mに及ぶ、檜一枚板のカウンター
at Restaurant stove in Yamanashi
An old farmhouse relocated from Kamakura /
Appetizer of local vegetables
鎌倉から移築された旧家/地場野菜の前菜
at Restaurant stove in Yamanashi
Scallop flan and mahi-mahi boulette / A fence of brooms
帆立のフランとシイラのブーレット/箒垣
at Restaurant stove in Yamanashi
Tea room perched atop an 80 year-old Japanese cypress
樹齢八十年の檜の上に立つ茶室
at Kiyoharu Art Colony in Yamanashi
Koshu grapes ripening under the sun
光に透ける甲州
at Katsunuma Vineyard in Yamanashi
A vineyard view of Mt. Fuji
葡萄畑から望む富士山
at Suntory Tominooka Winery in Yamanashi
A tranquil dusk lakeside
夕暮れ時の静寂な湖畔
at Shibire Lake in Yamanashi
Lushly forested hillside reflected in Shibire Lake
湖面に緑を湛えた四尾連湖
at Shibire Lake in Yamanashi
Grilled matsutake mushroom
焼き松茸
at Tokiwa Hotel in Yamanashi
Dried persimmons, a winter treat.
Astringent persimmons sweeten as they dry.
冬の保存食。乾燥によって渋みが抜け、甘みが強まる
at Tokiwa Hotel in Yamanashi
Autumn beech forest
紅葉のブナ林
at Oirase Gorge in Aomori
A ryokan guest room looking out onto a stunning Japanese garden
旅館の客室から眺める、3000坪に及ぶ庭園
at Tokiwa Hotel in Yamanashi
Shiraito Waterfall (Kosuge Village) /
Sunlight filtering through the forest canopy
白糸の滝(小菅村)/木漏れ日を透かしたワイングラス
at Kosuge Village in Yamanashi
Autumn leaves floating down a crystal-clear mountain stream
透き通った渓流を漂う色とりどりの落ち葉
at Oirase Gorge in Aomori
Mt. Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi
河口湖から望む富士山
at Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi