A Wine Lover’s Guide to Furano

Of Japan’s many culinary delights, wine may not be the first thing to come to mind – but in recent years, it’s become one of the top reasons to visit northern Japan. Here’s your ultimate guide to exploring wine country.
Furano, in the centre of Hokkaido, has been producing wine since 1972 and is now one of the most notable cities in Japan for its wine, with unique blends and even local festivals dedicated to the drink.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
Arriving in Furano and seeing its expansive lavender fields, vineyards, rolling hills and scattered hay bales, you could be forgiven for thinking you had stepped into rural France – that is, if it weren’t for the imposing mountains of the nearby Daisetsuzan National Park in the distance. Furano is located in Hokkaido, which, along with its fabulous skiing and excellent onsens, has very quickly become one of the top wine-producing regions in Japan. This is thanks to its low-humidity climate, which is ideal for winegrowing.
This beautiful part of the world really is best enjoyed with a glass of wine in hand, so here’s how wine lovers can make the most of everything Furano has to offer.

The best vineyards to visit in and around Furano
Furano Winery
Winery

The first stop on your wine adventure should be Furano Winery, which is set in an attractive spot with sweeping views over the town and fields below, as well as the towering Tokachidake. The vista is particularly spectacular in summer when the lavender is blooming. Explore the vineyard on a guided tour with tasting, during which you’ll be able to try some of their 18 different wines. While touring, you will also be able to see the wine at different stages of production and maturity and learn about techniques unique to Hokkaido. One of the best souvenirs you can pick up here is a bottle of their unique lavender-infused wine, which is blended with the flowers of the adjoining lavender field, but there are many other products made using Furano’s wine to indulge in.
Tada Vineyard and Farm
Winery
In nearby Kamifurano, you can visit the beautiful Tada Vineyard and Farm, owned by Mr Tada, who manages the property with his wife. It’s a popular winery to visit – take a walk around the fields of crops and the vineyard while soaking up the traditional atmosphere of the farmers tending their crops by hand. While there you can try their speciality wine made with wild yeast, which gives the drink a rich, earthy flavour. Tada Vineyard also rents simple rooms in the traditional Japanese farmhouse, giving visitors the opportunity to experience waking up under the mountains on a Japanese farm. Guests can enjoy access to their farm café, where the team serves rich breakfasts, farm-grown meals and, of course, wine. It’s a tranquil escape and an ideal homestay for wine lovers visiting Furano.
Campana Rokkatei
Tea Room, Dessert
Situated within a vineyard, but providing a place to relax with something other than a glass of wine, this Campana Rokkatei tea room serves delicate sweets from Rokkatei (a popular Hokkaido-based confectioner) and cheesecake. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and admire the glorious views from inside its huge windows, or take your tea or coffee outside on the terrace and feel like you’re dining among the vines. They also serve some light savoury meals and sell their beautifully presented sweets by the box to take away.
Where to drink wine in Furano
Furano Wine House
Restaurant, Wine
Domaine Raison
Winery
This new boutique café and tasting room, which also has a small vineyard and goat farm, has a wonderfully rustic feel with views of rolling fields in sight in the background. Domaine Raison is a great place to relax and try some of their homemade wine alongside homemade cheese, ice cream and chocolate. The staff are enthusiastic about their products and are happy to provide samples to try before you buy. They’ve worked hard to create a sustainable environment where, as they say, “humans and nature can coexist together”, by keeping all of their products organic and using sustainable packaging where possible. They also let their animals roam freely and use natural fertilisers from their own farm. Out and about, Domaine Raison wine can be recognised by its charming label, which features a goat floating off tied to some balloons. If you’d like to learn more about sustainable farming, Domaine Raison offers tours where you can get involved with dairy farming and harvesting vegetables and grapes.
Soh’s Bar
Bar, Wine Bar, Japanese
Make sure to take a walk through the winding forest and shopping cabins of Ningle Terrace to reach Soh’s Bar. Ningle Terrace is one of Furano’s top attractions, and local creators’ products are showcased in its log cabins. It’s open from noon daily but is particularly stunning at night when the trees and cabins are lit up with fairy lights. This is a perfect time to meet local creators and purchase artisanal products, which vary from food and drink (including wine) to handmade fashion accessories and ornaments. Ningle Terrace was also featured in the popular Japanese drama Kita no Kuni kara (From the North Country). The walk up to Soh’s Bar certainly whets your appetite, and the wine list, once you’re there, doesn’t disappoint, with a number of local red and white wines to choose from as well as some special drinks such as red wine sake. You can pair your drink with light meals such as pizza, fried rice, omelette with rice or bar snacks.
Major wine events in Furano
Furano Wine Festival
Market
Furano holds a large annual wine festival that, alongside wine tastings, allows people to get involved with some of Furano’s winemaking processes, try grape stomping with their feet and, for the particularly energetic, have a go at wine-barrel racing. It’s a merry festival and people come from all over Japan to attend. Wine is free-flowing and can be enjoyed for just ¥200 (£1.50) a cup. Some great food is also served, which pairs well with wine, and there’s also grape- and wine-infused food. The festival gets heated when the Domestic Wine Competition starts, which brings together local winemakers to compete against one another. The festival is held during the autumn months each year and is well worth attending, whether you’re a wine lover or just want to enjoy one of the biggest festivals of Furano’s year (the other major celebration is the annual ‘belly button festival’).
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.