Ikeda Wine Castle looks just like an ancient castle from the European Middle Ages.
Tokachi wine, a dry wine with a rich acidity produced in Ikeda Town on the eastern side of the Tokachi Plain, is aging in an underground cellar.

This time, we'll introduce Ikeda Wine Castle, which has plenty to see and do, from its vineyard and tour courses to its shopping area!

Table of Contents:
1. The birth of a world-class wine! The story of Tokachi wine.
2. How to enjoy a visit to a wine castle
3. The appeal of a wine castle guided tour
4. Let's visit the Dreams Come True vineyard.
5. Access to Ikeda Wine Castle
Final thoughts

In 1952, the Tokachi region was hit by a natural disaster. The following year, it suffered from cold weather damage for the second year in a row.

To save the town from financial crisis, the then-mayor (Kaneyasu Marutani) proposed a plan to start a "grape cultivation" and "wine production" business.

When it came to grape cultivation, the first thing that caught my attention was "wild grapes."

It was discovered that the wild grapes were of the "Amurrensis subtype," which grows naturally in the Amur River basin of Russia and is suitable for winemaking, and they won an award at an international wine competition.

The pioneers did not stop at their success with wild grapes,
Tokachi Wine aims to promote agriculture through grape cultivation, which is a major objective of the company.

This involves developing grape cultivation methods suitable for cold climates and creating unique grape varieties.

If the grapes can survive the harsh winter cold, the large diurnal temperature range from summer to autumn, which is the peak ripening period for grapes, allows for the harvest of grapes with the ideal sugar and acidity levels for excellent wine.

As a result of our development efforts, we created "Kiyomi," a red wine variety with an aroma reminiscent of Pinot Noir produced in the Burgundy region of France, and a rich acidity and flavor unique to northern regions.

"Kiyomai" and "Yamasachi," created from a combination of the unique "Kiyomi" and "Yamabudou" varieties, are also attracting attention as representative varieties.

Then, in 2016, after some time had passed, Tokachi Wine production entered its 53rd year.

In Japan, Ikeda Town was the first municipality to operate a winery in 1963, making it a pioneering example as the oldest municipal winery in Hokkaido.

Now, let's take a tour of the wine castle. We'll introduce each section all at once!

2-1 Grape Exhibition Garden

On the right-hand slope of the wine castle, trees of Ikeda Town's original grape varieties, "Kiyomai" and "Yamasachi," are planted.

There are approximately 100 vines being cultivated. You can see how wine grapes are grown.

2-2 Entrance to the tour course

The entrance to the tour is located to the right of the front of the wine castle. From here, you can proceed to the underground aging room.

2-3 Underground aging room

This is the aging room on the second basement floor where the wine rests. It is aged in wooden barrels for about a year.

Apparently, the wood is used to add color and aroma to the wine, making it taste smoother.

They also have vintage wines. These old vintage wines are not intended for sale, but are preserved solely for research and development, truly representing the history of Tokachi wine itself.

You might even find a wine from your birth year!

2-4 Exhibition Corner

The exhibition area on the first floor features panels introducing grape cultivation and winemaking methods.

You can also learn more about barrels, corks, and bottles.

In September 2005, the town of Ikeda's efforts to produce authentic wine, at a time before the wine boom, were featured nationwide on NHK's documentary program "Project X."

It's being shown in the exhibition area. Come and see the passion for wine!

2-5 Shopping Area

The shopping area includes a wine sales corner and a corner selling local products from Tokachi.

At events and other occasions, the wine "Kiyomi," which is popular for being "refreshing and easy to drink," and the "Genshu," which is barrel-aged brandy bottled as is, are also said to be popular.

The local products section also sells specialty products from Ikeda Town.

2-6 Free Wine Tasting Corner

At the free wine tasting corner, you can sample Tokachi wines. Enjoy seasonal recommended wines!

2-7 Brandy & Large Barrel Aging Room

You can see the still and the large barrels made from Mizunara oak from Tokachi through the window.
In Ikeda Town, brandy has been made using the cognac method since 1964.

2-8 The Wine Castle Restaurant

This buffet restaurant on the 4th floor offers a chance to enjoy local Tokachi ingredients and wines.
Perfect for lunchtime! (Open 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

2-9 Rooftop Observation Deck

Take the elevator up to the rooftop and enjoy a panoramic view of the Tokachi Plain and the majestic Hidaka Mountains!

*The facility may be closed during the winter season, etc.

2-10 Wine factory

The winery is located behind the wine castle (next to the parking lot).
From here, we deliver Tokachi wine to all over Japan.

You can observe the factory operations through the windows.

For those who want to learn even more, we recommend the Wine Castle guided tour!

This is a 20-minute guided tour designed to give you a glimpse into the hidden charms of the wine castle and help you get closer to Tokachi wine.

Enjoy a complimentary wine tasting! (Free of charge)

I was given a sample of "Yamasachi".
It inherits the characteristics of both Kiyomi and wild grape varieties, resulting in a wine with pronounced acidity and astringency.

It tastes even better when enjoyed with a meal, such as meat.
A perfect pairing of food and Tokachi wine!

The shopping area also sells meat and cheese from Tokachi,
You can enjoy all that Tokachi has to offer along with wine.

[Wine Castle Guided Tour]
*Tour contents: Includes a tour of the underground aging room, etc.
*Participation fee: Free
* Estimated time: Approximately 20 minutes
*Event times: 11:30, 13:30, 14:30 (3 times daily)
*Capacity: 20 people per session
*Registration: Registration is accepted at the information desk on the 1st floor at any time (registration will close once the capacity is reached).
*We will be closed during the New Year holidays, Golden Week, Obon period, and on the day of the Wine Festival (the first Sunday of October).

Ikeda Town is the hometown of Miwa Yoshida from DREAMS COME TRUE.

In June 2009, many people visited Ikeda Town and sowed seeds, and began winemaking.
The vineyard emerged as a bridge to a dream that could be nurtured together over many years.

That's "DREAMS COME TRUE VINEYARD".

You'll see it if you walk a short distance to the right of the front of the wine factory.

■JR
Ikeda Station
This is a stop for the Limited Express Ozora train.
Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes from Sapporo
Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes from Minami-Chitose.
Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes from Kushiro
Approximately 16 minutes from Obihiro (approximately 30 minutes by local train)
The wine castle is about a 15-minute walk from JR Ikeda Station.

■ Automobiles
Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes from Sapporo Interchange (using the Doto Expressway)
Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes from Chitose-Higashi Interchange (using the Doto Expressway)
Approximately 2 hours from Kushiro (using regular roads)
Approximately 30 minutes from Obihiro (using regular roads)
Approximately 15 minutes from the Tokachi-Ikeda Interchange on the Doto Expressway.

■ Bus
Approximately 1 hour from Obihiro Station Bus Terminal
(Tokachi Bus Obihiro-Rikubetsu Line / Replacement bus for the former Furusato Ginga Line)

<Ikeda Wine Castle / Ikeda Town Grape and Wine Research Institute>
HP)http://www.tokachi-wine.com
Address: 83-4 Kiyomi, Ikeda-cho, Nakagawa-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：015-572-2467
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Entrance fee: free
Parking: Free (100 spaces)
Closed during the New Year holidays.
Wine Castle Restaurant (4th Floor)
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last order 4:30 PM)
Irregular holidays
TEL: 015-572-3033

Final thoughts

We've shared some of the highlights of Ikeda Wine Castle, where they handle everything from grape cultivation to winemaking. What did you think?
Please do visit Ikeda Town in Tokachi to experience the story of wine with all your senses!

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