Compared to the European wine producing countries, Japan is quite a "NEW" or even "UNKNOWN" world for wine consumers. Actually the history of wine making in Japan is new, and it is said that in 1875 the first commercial winery was established in the town of Katsunuma, Yamanashi Prefecture. Nowadays, wine is a part of Japanese life. Many Japanese go to wine schools, and thousands of books about wine have been published. And some Japanese wine makers, which are located mostly in Yamanashi and Nagano Prefectures, have been responsible for making own wine using Japanese varieties of grapes like "Koshu". JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc. will offer a program efficienty including the highlights of Japanese wineries and its culture.

The Coco Farm & Winery was established by the “Kokoromi Gakuen” school for intellectual handicapped and autistic students in 1980, supported financially by their parents. After the very tough cultivation of vineyard on the steep slopes of the mountains, today the winery is one of the top-ranked wine makers in Japan. In 1989 a famous American winemaker, Mr. Bruce Gutlove, started consultation for them, and continuously they are trying to make the most heartwarming wine in Japan. In 2000 they had a great honor of providing the G-7 Summit held in Okinawa Island with their sparkling wine.

The Town of Katsunuma is located at the eastern part of Kofu Basin in the mountainous area, where the viniculture was already started in the Edo Period (1603-1867). About 70 wineries are scattered around the area, and most of them are family-run makers who are very serious in making their "own" wine in Japan. Each of them are very unique and making wine in their style. JTB Global Marketing Travel Inc. is working closely with the Yamanashi Prefecture and Katsunuma Town Halls and the society of wine makers, and will provide the best winery tour in Katsunuma.

The Town of Shiojiri, located in the Nagano Prefecture next to Yamanashi, started viniculture in the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Today 8 local wineries are making high quality wine same as Katsunuma, and recently they have been responsible for their own products by applying "Nagano Appellation Control" system. Taking this opportunity, the program will visit the "Shiojiri Winery Festa 2009" organized by these 8 wineries, and enjoy the "Shiojiri Nouveau" with the local people.

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