“Ushiku Chateau” in Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a facility full of greenery with a memorial hall and museum on a vast site of approximately 60,000 square meters. The founder is Kamiya Denbee. In 1903, it prospered as the first brewery in Japan to produce wine for the first time, from grape cultivation to brewing and bottling.
At its peak, 130,000 vines were planted, and minecarts were laid from the vineyard to the brewery and the current Ushiku Station. After the war, vineyards were reduced due to agricultural land reform, but it was reborn as a leisure land for food in 1948, and it was once a popular tourist spot in Ushiku City. In recent years, restaurants and shops have also been closed and the management has been reduced, but you can relax in the storage areas designated as important cultural properties of the country.
The main building is a two-story brick building with a basement floor and the entrance is engraved with “CHATEAU D. KAMIYA”. There are large halls, guest rooms, and Western rooms on the 2nd floor. In the past, guests were invited to a party. Currently, the main building is not open to the public.
There is a museum on the site where historical materials are displayed. Among the past retro advertising posters and alcoholic beverages sold in the group, there is also a legendary cocktail “Denki Bran” (cocktail of brandy) created by Yabu Kamiya. There are other spots where you can enjoy trick art.
The large garden is filled with greenery, and there are Japanese style gardens, bamboo groves, ginkgo forests, sunken gardens with cherry blossom trees and fountains, as well as vineyards, so you can enjoy a walk every season.
Behind the main building is Kamiya Denbee Memorial. It is a two-story building made of bricks and a ground floor building. On the second floor, various machines used at the time of establishment, as well as photographs and posters at that time are displayed. If you look at the devices that have been devised ingenuity, the struggle at that time will be appreciated. The tour route is also connected to the underground storage, and you can feel the cool air.
To access Ushiku Chateau, take the Joban Line from Japan Railway Nippori Station and get off at Ushiku Station. It takes about 8 minutes on foot from the east exit (chateau exit).
The first authentic winery in Japan
In Ushiku city, Ibaraki Prefecture, there are sightseeing spots that are perfect for those who like alcohol. It is “Ushiku Chateau” which is the first authentic winery in Japan that Denbe Kamiya, the founder of “Kamiya Bar” in Asakusa built in Ushiku in 1903. Ushiku Chateau, modeled on the existing brewery in France, is a retro brick building. It is designated as an important cultural asset of the country.
“Ushiku Chateau” was the first full-fledged winemaking brewery in Japan that was consistently running from vine cultivation to brewing and bottling at the time of its establishment. It is known as one of the birthplace of Japanese wine. Currently, you can visit beautiful buildings surrounded by lush trees, the Oenon museum and more.
It is the Oenon group that manages Ushiku Chateau. “Oenon Museum” is exhibiting a wide range of historical materials and others. There is an exhibition about not only wine but all kinds of alcohol, and you can also enjoy nostalgic posters etc. Admission is free. Although it is not a big building, it is also recommended that there is a place where you can take a break.
There are many sights in the spacious premises. Not only restaurants and wine shops where wine can be tasted, it is fun just to observe that the vineyards are spreading. At the shop, it is a pleasing point not only to sell wine but also to sell beer. Ushiku Chateau’s original product “Ushiku Winery Grape Castle” and “Ushiku Chateau Beer” are perfect for adult tourism souvenirs.
In addition, there are ginkgo’s forest and bamboo forest in a large premises, and you can enjoy walking when climate is good.
Note: The following facilities were closed at the end of 2018.
Restaurant Cannon, La Terrasse de Oenon, Barbecue garden, Souvenir shop, wine cellar, Ushiku Winery, Ushiku Brewery
The birthplaces of wine in Japan
“Denbe Kamiya” known for the Kamiya bar in Asakusa, built “Ushiku Chateau” (Chateau Kamiya) in Ushiku-shi, Ibaraki in 1903. It is the first full-scale Japanese wine brewing place that carried out by grape cultivation to brewing and bottling being consistent in those days. And it is known as one of the birthplaces of wine in Japan.
Surrounded by rich green trees
Now, there are “Denbe Kamiya memorial hall” which exhibited Denbe Kamiya’s footprint, a restaurant which can enjoy the wine and microbrewing, etc which can be tasted only here surrounded by rich green trees.
Enjoy wine and craft beer only by chateau Kamiya
The brick red European-style building whith the clock tower, which is a National Important Cultural Property, is the history of Japanese wine itself. Including the OENON museum exhibited the history of the advertisement of the liquor, there are craft beer restaurant and BBQ garden, so you can enjoy wine and craft beer only by chateau Kamiya.
Relatively low in price
You can buy the wine at not only the restaurant but also the stand. It is sweet and is easy to drink, in addition, it is brewed in this facility, so you can drink it relatively low in price.
Popular Spot
It is a spot which is popular also among a family companion as well as the person who likes alcohol.
Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)
Name: | Ushiku Chateau (Facility of Winemaker) |
Adresse: | Chuo 3-20-1 Ushiku, Ibaraki 300-1234 Japan |
Access: | JR Joban-sen Line “Ushiku-eki Station” (8 minutes walk) |
Tel: | (+81) 29-873-3151 |
Price/Charge: | Free |
Official site: | http://www.oenon.jp/ |
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