Festival weekend planner
Katsunuma Grape Festival (Budō Matsuri) — a 3-day weekend in Yamanashi
October. 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. Pace yourself across the tastings and break for a long lunch mid-afternoon.
- Day 3
Wine country day in Yamanashi
Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch before heading home.
Where to stay
- Hotels in Katsunuma (Kōshū)
Live availability around the festival dates. Festival hotels book out 6+ months ahead, so check early.
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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.
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