Tokachi Ikeda Winery – Experience Hokkaido’s Fall Season ①
Located in Tokachi the subprefecture of Hokkaido, the town of Ikeda is famous for its wineries, wines produced here has a distinctive fragrance, a fragrance where it unconsciously fascinates the visitors who “nose” it. Japan produces approximately 100,000 kiloleters of wine per year, Hokkaido is included as one of the major wine producing regions in Japan. After the World War II-era winemaking took-off in Hokkaido, around the year of 1960 onwards. Hokkaido has carved a name for itself ever since, growing in reputation and earning the name of “the hometown of wine”.
Ikeda Wine City is built on a hill that overlooks an amazing panoramic view of the mountains. In the underground ripening room, you can see aged barrels where the wines are in the fermentation process. You will also be able to view the sparkling wine manufacturing process akin to the ones in the region of Champagne,France. This process is a first in Japan. There are over 200 barrels of French oaked wine, one should enjoy the environment. Completing your tour on the 1st floor where you can purchase the locally produced Tokachi wine, there are also free wine tasting counter!
The article above is a translation from Tan Wee Kiong or fondly as Tan San, who studied photography in Japan. With 16 years experience in both domestic and Japanese tour guiding, currently often leading groups to Japan, northern Europe and other countries for the last 8 years.
