Nihon Wine Matsuri — a 3-day weekend in Japan

The weekend, day by day

1. Day 1

   Arrive in Tokyo

   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.

2. Day 2

   Nihon Wine Matsuri

   Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Insider tip: Seek out Grace Wine and Lumiere Wine directly at the event—their Kōshū whites are Japan's best-kept secret and command cult prices in auctions. Arrive during the trade hour (usually 11am-1pm) when winemakers are most present and seminar lines are shortest.

3. Day 3

   Wine country day in Japan

   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 Tokyo

  Live inventory around the festival window — 2 adults, all star ratings.

• 4–5 star options near Tokyo

  Higher-end shortlist when you want the milestone weekend treatment.

• Apartments in Tokyo

  Self-catering option — useful when festival hotels sell out 6+ months ahead.

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Practical

Nearest airport

Narita International Airport (NRT)