Festival weekend planner
Katsunuma Grape Festival (Budō Matsuri) — a 3-day weekend in Yamanashi
3–4 October 2026. Katsunuma (Kōshū), Japan.
The weekend, day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Katsunuma (Kōshū)
Land at Narita International Airport (NRT), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.
- Day 2
Katsunuma Grape Festival (Budō Matsuri)
Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Insider tip: Book a private grape-picking tour with a small winery like Katsunuma Budou no Oka the day before the festival—you'll harvest and crush grapes that feed directly into their festival tastings, creating a hands-on experience most visitors miss. Arrive midweek if possible; the festival's final Saturday is overwhelmingly crowded with Tokyo day-trippers.
- Day 3
Wine country day in Yamanashi
Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch at one of the regional addresses below before heading home.
Where to stay
Three angles for the festival window. Festival hotels book out 6+ months in advance — apartments are the contingency when the main shortlist is sold out.
- Hotels in Katsunuma (Kōshū)
Live inventory around the festival window — 2 adults, all star ratings.
- 4–5 star options near Katsunuma (Kōshū)
Higher-end shortlist when you want the milestone weekend treatment.
- Apartments in Katsunuma (Kōshū)
Self-catering option — useful when festival hotels sell out 6+ months ahead.
Booking.com links — we may earn a commission. We never recommend hotels we wouldn't use ourselves.
One winery worth a detour
Grace Winery (Chuo Budo)
Three generations of a Japanese family proving Koshu is a world-class grape variety, in a wine region most Westerners have never heard of.
- Address
- 173 Hishiyama, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu-shi, Yamanashi 409-1313, Japan
- Appointment
- by-arrangement
- Tasting price
- JPY 1500 · Tasting of 4 wines
- Website
- Visit
Practical
- Nearest airport
- Narita International Airport (NRT)
Insider tip
Book a private grape-picking tour with a small winery like Katsunuma Budou no Oka the day before the festival—you'll harvest and crush grapes that feed directly into their festival tastings, creating a hands-on experience most visitors miss. Arrive midweek if possible; the festival's final Saturday is overwhelmingly crowded with Tokyo day-trippers.
Want a longer trip than the festival weekend?
The milestone-trip planner builds a 3–10 day Yamanashi itinerary with accommodation, tours, and pacing options.
Plan a Yamanashi trip →