Koshu

Koshu Grapes

Kōshū (甲州市 Kōshū-shi) is in the north of the Yamanashi Prefecture, in Japan. Kōshū is famous for its viticulture and wines.

Understand

• Kōshū city Sightseeing Association, 1085-1 Enzan-Kamiozo, ☏ +81 553-32-2111. 
  • 1 Enzan st. Branch (塩山駅観光案内所), 1720 Enzan-Kamiozo, ☏ +81 553 33 5958. 09:00-16:00. 
  • 2 Katsunuma Budōkyō st. Branch (勝沼ぶどう郷駅観光案内所), 3052 Katsunumacho-Hishiyama, ☏ +81 553 44 5622. 09:00-16:00. 

Tourist information site

The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

Get in

By train

From Tokyo on the JR Chuo Line, taking limited express trains from Shinjuku to Enzan st (塩山駅). Local trains at half the price and an extra hour of traveling to Katsunuma Budōkyō st. (勝沼ぶどう郷駅). Interchange at JR Takao for Kofu. The Chuo Line takes Suica cards.

By bus

There are highway buses depart from the terminal in Shinjuku, in holiday operated Kōshū wine liner (甲州ワインライナー) to Katsunuma area, in weekday, Chūō highway bus Kofu line buses via Kōshū (Katsunuma bus stop at near Katsunuma IC).

Get around

By bus

Katsunuma round trip bus (勝沼周遊バス) operated only High season, go around wineries. And Enzan st has a network of buses.

By bicycle

Gururin (ぐるりん) a bike-share scheme in Kōshū. One day ¥1,000, or ¥100 per 30 minutes.

Do

Taste wine

There are over 10 wineries at Kōshū Katsunuma area. The main grape is Koshu white wine.

Koshu Valley is a semi-official English-language information site mainly for wines, supported by the local chamber of commerce.

Orchards

Peaches, cherries, strawberries and other fruits are grown in the area.

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Kaizansou (介山荘), Daibosatsutoge Enzan-Kamihagihara, ☏ +81 90 3147 5429, fax: +81 533 33 2843. ¥4,200. 

Mid-range

There are some ryokans at Enzan hot spring.

Go next

• Yamanashi
• Fuefuki
• Kofu
• Tabayama
• Kosuge
• Otsuki
• Tsuru
• Fujiyoshida
• Uenohara

• 3 Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park (秩父多摩甲斐国立公園).  

Routes through Koshu

Nagoya ← Kofu ←	W  E	→ Otsuki → Tokyo
Nagoya ← Kofu ←	W  E	→ Otsuki → Tokyo
Kofu ←	S  E	→ Otsuki → Hachioji
Chichibu ←	N  S	→ Kofu
Kofu ←	W  E	→ Okutama → Hachioji