The Kitashinano Wine Valley Train is a tourist train that runs through northern Nagano Prefecture.
This express train leisurely travels the short 30km distance between Nagano Station and Yudanaka Station in about 80 minutes, making it a very attractive train as you can enjoy delicious Nagano wine while watching the scenery pass by outside the window .
The service only operates on weekends and holidays, with one trip per day in both directions, and reservations are required.
In this article, we will introduce the details and appeal of the Kitashinano Wine Valley Train , as well as the characteristics of Nagano wine.
A must-see for wine lovers and wine novices alike!
What is the "Kitashinano Wine Valley Train"?
The Kitashinano Wine Valley Train is a tourist train operated by the Nagano Electric Railway , a private railway that runs through northern Nagano Prefecture.
You can rent out some of the cars on the "Limited Express Yukemuri" that runs between Nagano Station and Yudanaka Station, and leisurely enjoy the scenery outside the window while sipping Nagano Prefecture wine brewed at a winery along the line.
There is a "wine counter" installed inside the train, which has 6 to 8 types of wine available, which you can drink as much as you like!
The bento sets use seasonal ingredients from Nagano Prefecture and include menu items designed to pair with wine. Local gourmet food is also available for purchase on board, allowing you to fully experience the charms of Nagano.
Yudanaka Station is the nearest station to the hot spring resorts "Shibu Onsen" and "Yudanaka Onsen," which have been gaining attention in recent years. In addition to its regular operations, Nagano Electric Railway operates special trains like this one for tourists to enjoy.
What is the all-you-can-drink wine menu?
If you're a wine fan, you might be wondering , "All-you-can-drink sounds great, but what kind of wines are available?"
The menu changes depending on the season, but the main wineries serving wines include:
Kusunoki Winery
Source: Kusunoki Winery official website
The Hitakihara Winery is located in the center of Suzaka City in northern Nagano Prefecture.
We create wines that are characterised by their gentleness.
The range includes the casual Niagara and Muscat Bailey A lines, as well as high-quality Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more.
Takayashiro Farm
Source: Takashiroya Farm official website
Located in Nakano City, the number one producer of Kyoho grapes in Japan, this winery is jointly run by three farms that originally grew table grapes.
The wines are carefully produced in areas suitable for grape cultivation and are of extremely high quality.
The main focus is on the casual line, ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 yen, and the lineup is attractive as it is easy to incorporate into everyday life.
Saint Cousair
Source: Saint Cousair official website
St. Cousair is a company with its headquarters in Iizuna Town in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture. In addition to producing wine, cider, jam, and other products from agricultural produce grown on its own farm, the company also operates a variety of other businesses, including a directly managed shop selling its own products and food products collected from around the country, a restaurant, and a wedding hall where chapel weddings can be held.
In particular, they place a strong emphasis on winemaking, and have actively participated in international wine competitions, winning many awards.
The wines on offer are mainly high-quality blends of Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
Cantina Riezo
Source: Cantina Riezo official website
This boutique winery was founded by a winemaker who studied winemaking in Italy and specializes in Italian varieties.
It's a small brewery, and they make wine using mostly manual brewing machines.
The winery has attracted attention for producing varieties that are rare in Japanese wine, such as Barbera, Aglianico, and Sangiovese.
The warmth that comes with being a family-run business is also an attraction, with the winery's name including the husband's wife's name and their three children appearing on the label.
Lunch boxes and local delicacies sold on the train
Just as important as the wine is the food!
The Kitashinano Wine Valley train comes with a boxed lunch and also has a wide selection of items for sale on board. One stomach may not be enough!
Set lunch "Nonbiri Bento"
The all-you-can-drink wine set comes with a special bento lunch from GOEN, a popular Japanese-style dining restaurant in Yudanaka. The menu uses seasonal vegetables and local ingredients, making it the perfect pairing with wine.
Local gourmet food is also sold on board!
Next, we will introduce the local gourmet foods and drinks available for sale on board the train.
This lineup is perfect for adding to your lunchbox or as a souvenir!
- King Oyster Mushroom Nigiri Sushi Made with King Oyster Mushrooms from Nakano, Shinshu, marinated in miso.
- They are also called oyaki imagawayaki or obanyaki. Standard ingredients for oyaki in Shinshu are nozawana (green mustard spinach) and kiriboshi daikon (dried strips of daikon radish).
- Chestnut Kanoko Yokan (Mini) Yokan filled with plenty of chestnuts.
- Local beer "Zenkoji Roman" (can) An all-malt premium beer made using spring water and hot spring water from Shinshu.
- Fuji Apple Juice from ObuseGrapes are great, but apples are also an indispensable Nagano specialty.
- Tartary Buckwheat Tea is made from Tartary buckwheat grown in Nagano Prefecture. Buckwheat contains rutin, an effective ingredient for preventing high blood pressure, and Tartary buckwheat contains 120 times more rutin than regular buckwheat.
- "Shinshu Kikyogahara Izutsu Wine Merlot" 180ml mini bottle A popular brand from Shiojiri's long-established winery "Izutsu Wine". The mini bottle is perfect as a souvenir.
For details such as fares and operating dates
Click here for details on fares and schedules for the Kitashinano Wine Valley Train.
Price (per person)
| Adults (junior high school students and above) | 6,000 yen (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Children (elementary school students aged 6-12) | 3,000 yen (tax included) |
The above price includes the boarding ticket and express fare (1,290 yen for adults / 650 yen for children), all-you-can-drink wine, and a lunch box.
For two or less people, the fee is an additional 1,000 yen (500 yen for children). For one or two people, the fee is 7,000 yen per person.
Operation date
As this is a special train, it only operates on weekends and public holidays, and does not operate on weekdays (as of 2022).
You can check the schedule for the next three months on the operation calendar on the official application site .
Routes and timetables
As this is a special train, it only operates once a day in both directions.
| Upbound (Departing from Yudanaka Station) | Yudanaka Station 11:20 departure Nagano Station 12:30 arrival |
|---|---|
| Downbound (Departing from Nagano Station) | Nagano Station 13:08 departure Yudanaka Station 14:32 arrival |
Points to note
- Along the way, the train will pass through Shinshu-Nakano Station, Obuse Station, Suzaka Station, Murayama Station, and Gondo Station, but passengers cannot board or disembark at these stations.
- There are no toilets on board the train. You can use the toilets at Obuse Station during the approximately 10-minute stop.
Seats and occupancy
The seats are in box seats for four people.
If you have more than 11 people, please contact us separately.
As of December 2022, to prevent the spread of infection, only two people are allowed in one box. It is unclear when three or more people will be allowed in again.
About Nagano Wine
All-you-can-drink wine is great, but it's a waste to just drink it! So, here we would like to introduce the appeal of Nagano wine.
Overview of Nagano Wine
Nagano Prefecture, famous for fruits such as apples and pears, has a climate that is also ideal for growing grapes for wine.
Shiojiri City is home to several long-established wineries, including Goichi Wine, which was founded in 1911, but it is said that the wine industry in the prefecture as a whole began to become active around 2010.
In response to this, in 2013 the prefecture formulated the "Shinshu Wine Valley Initiative," a regional revitalization plan through the wine industry.
This initiative involves dividing the prefecture's wine-producing regions into four blocks, and the prefecture will support winemaking that makes the most of the characteristics of each region.
The four blocks are as follows:
- Chikuma River Wine Valley Along the Chikuma River, which flows from eastern to northern Nagano Prefecture
- Kikyogahara Wine Valley, Shiojiri City area
- Japan Alps Wine Valley Matsumoto City, Azumino City and surrounding areas
- Tenryu River Wine Valley Along the Tenryu River in southern Nagano Prefecture
Since the Shinshu Wine Valley concept was formulated, the number of wineries in the prefecture has continued to increase, and as of 2020, there are 61.
Going forward, we will not only continue to increase the number of stores, but also aim to improve and establish the "NAGANO WINE" brand, and actively promote it to the world.
If you would like to know more about the Shinshu Wine Valley Project, please take a look at the materials published by Nagano Prefecture.
▶ Overview of the "Shinshu Wine Valley Concept Upgraded Version 2020"
Characteristics of Nagano Wine
Nagano wines are characterized by being relatively light, having low tannins, and often having a fruity flavor.
For this reason, it is especially recommended for those who are new to wine, and also makes a great gift for those who don't usually drink much wine.
For many years, Nagano wines have had a strong image of sweet wines, but in recent years, the number of authentic wines such as Shiojiri Merlot and Muscat Bailey A has increased, surprising wine fans around the world.
However, when you actually decide to buy Nagano wine, you may wonder which one to choose.
In that case, try choosing something with this mark.
Source: Nagano Prefecture Official Website
This is called the "Nagano Prefecture Appellation of Origin Control System" and is a certification mark that is placed on wine, cider, sake, and shochu produced in Nagano that are approved by the prefecture.
When you see this on the label, you can be sure that it is a quality wine that the producer and prefecture are confident in recommending.
You can also find a list of certified wines on the Consejo's official website.
Please feel free to use this as a reference.
Main varieties of Nagano wine
Concord (red), Niagara (white)
This variety has been cultivated for food in the Shiojiri area for over 100 years, since the Meiji period.
This variety is also used to make juice, and many sweet wines are made from it.
Especially recommended for those new to wine.
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, etc.
A world-famous variety that any wine drinker has heard of.
It is also called the "European variety".
It is particularly abundant in the Chikuma River Wine Valley, where major producer Chateau Mercian is located.
Muscat Bailey A (red)
This is a Japanese grape that was registered with the OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine) in 2013.
Being recognized by this French government agency means that it is recognized as an international variety.
Being recognized as an international variety also means that it is the only Japanese black grape variety that can be exported overseas with the name of the variety written on the label (as of 2021).
The flavor ranges from mildly astringent, fruity and approachable to high-quality varieties suitable for aging.
Koshu (white)
This is also a Japanese variety registered with the OIV in 2010.
This variety has been cultivated for food since ancient times, but has now become a white grape variety that Japan can be proud of around the world.
Most of them have a light, refreshing taste, but some are barrel-aged to give them a rich flavor.
It is widely consumed not only in Japan but also overseas as a Japanese wine that pairs well with Japanese food.
How to apply
Advance reservations are required for rides.
Applications can be made online or by phone up to three months prior to the date of travel.
Apply online from this site.
▶︎ "Kitashinano Wine Valley Tour" Official Page
It's easy to make reservations via the operation days calendar, and you can pay by credit card, so we recommend it.
For applications and inquiries by phone, please see below. (Payment by phone is only accepted by bank transfer.)
| Weekdays (9:00-17:30) | 026-248-6000 Nagano Electric Railway Railway Business Department, Transportation Division |
|---|---|
| Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (9:00-20:00) | 026-226-2681 Nagano Electric Railway Nagano Station |
lastly
The Kitashinano Wine Valley Train allows you to enjoy Nagano Prefecture wines and local gourmet food while admiring the magnificent nature of Nagano from the train window.
You can also enjoy hot springs at the destination, making this a fascinating tourist train not to be missed even if you're not a wine fan.
Nagano Prefecture is currently attracting attention from around the world as a wine producing region, and this may be a rare opportunity to sample several different types of wine made in Nagano at once.
Please come and experience this special train journey.
