Yamanashi Food Guide: Hoto, Koshu Wine & Yoshida Udon

Piping hot houtou brimming with vegetables, Koshu wine from a birthplace of Japanese winemaking, and firm chewy Yoshida udon: Yamanashi is a treasure house of distinctive food born of a basin ringed by mountains. From regional dishes tied to Takeda Shingen to wines recognized around the world, the flavors nurtured by the land are wonderfully varied. Set out on a journey to savor local specialties in Yamanashi, cradled by Mount Fuji and rich nature.

Houtou, a Signature of Yamanashi

Houtou is a signature regional dish of Yamanashi. Wide, flat noodles are simmered in a miso broth with seasonal vegetables such as pumpkin, taro, mushrooms, and Chinese cabbage. The thick, steaming broth warms you to the core. Because the noodles are cooked with their dusting flour still on, the broth takes on its characteristic thickness. Said to have been used by the warlord Takeda Shingen as a field ration, it is a nourishing dish long loved in Yamanashi households, and it tastes especially fine in the cold season.

Koshu Wine, a Birthplace of Japanese Wine

Yamanashi is known as a birthplace of Japanese winemaking and is the largest wine region in the country. The area around Katsunuma in the city of Koshu in particular has a long history of grape growing, and many wineries gather there. White wine made from the indigenous Koshu grape is delicate and pairs well with Japanese cuisine, earning high regard around the world. Touring the wineries to enjoy tastings and gazing over the spreading vineyards make for a trip that wine lovers will treasure.

Yoshida Udon and a Wealth of Flavors

At the foot of Mount Fuji, the specialty of Fujiyoshida is Yoshida udon. Marked by surprisingly firm, chewy, very thick noodles, it is typically topped with horse meat and cabbage over a miso or soy based broth. Simple yet unforgettable once tasted. Beyond this, Yamanashi is full of flavors that draw on the bounty of the land, from the Koshu specialty torimotsu-ni to produce grown with Fuji spring water and fruit such as peaches and grapes. The basin and highlands nurture a rich variety of tastes.

Best Seasons and Access

Houtou is best in the cold season, while wine and grapes shine in autumn. For access, JR Kofu Station is the base for the central part of the prefecture, Katsunuma Budokyo Station serves Katsunuma, and Fujisan Station is the gateway for Yoshida udon. Pair these with famous sights such as Mount Fuji and Shosenkyo Gorge for a journey through Yamanashi local flavors.

Practical Travel Notes

Touring Yamanashi food centers broadly on two bases, the Kofu basin area and the Mount Fuji foothills. In the Kofu basin, regional dishes such as houtou, torimotsu-ni, and basashi can be enjoyed around Kofu Station, and by car the Kofu Showa interchange on the Chuo Expressway is convenient. The Katsunuma wineries and the grape and peach orchards of Fuefuki and Koshu gather in this area, growing especially lively from summer into the autumn harvest. In the Mount Fuji foothills, Fujiyoshida is famed for Yoshida udon, but since many shops open only at lunch and close once the noodles run out, arriving early is the sure approach. On a day of winery tasting, avoid driving and combine a circulating bus or a taxi from Katsunuma Budokyo Station to travel safely. Souvenirs that keep well, such as shingen mochi and awabi no nigai, are found at station kiosks, product stores, and roadside stations, and the advantage is that they are easy to carry home even if bought early in the trip.

A Quick Tip

Covering both the basin and the Mount Fuji foothills in a single day takes considerable travel time, so narrowing your plan to one area lets you enjoy it without strain. Seasonal fruit and winery events run only during limited periods, so if you have a goal in mind, timing your visit to the season raises your satisfaction.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Its standing as a wine region: Yamanashi Prefecture is the birthplace of Japanese wine and ranks first in Japan for both production volume and number of wineries. There are about 100 wineries in the prefecture, producing roughly 30 percent of all Japanese wine. In July 2013 (Heisei 25), "Yamanashi" became the first wine region in Japan to be designated under the national Geographical Indication (GI) system
• Public facility where you can try it: Katsunuma Budo-no-Oka (run by Koshu City / 5093 Hishiyama, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu City)
• Underground wine cave 9:00-17:30, wine servers 8:30-20:00
• Purchase the dedicated tasting cup "tastevin" for 2,200 yen (tax included) and you can sample the wines in the wine cave
• Yoshida no Udon (Fujiyoshida City): The classic version tops noodles in a broth blending soy sauce and miso with sweet-savory simmered horse meat and boiled cabbage. You vary the flavor with "suridane", a condiment made from sesame, Japanese pepper, chili and other spices
• Main access points: "Kofu Station" and "Katsunuma-Budokyo Station" on the JR Chuo Main Line / "Mt. Fuji Station" on the Fujikyuko Line / the Kofu-Showa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway
• Points to note: On days when you go tasting at wineries or at Katsunuma Budo-no-Oka, never drive yourself (drunk driving is prohibited by law). Use public transport, a taxi, or travel with a companion who is not drinking

* Opening hours and prices at individual restaurants vary from shop to shop. Facility opening hours are subject to change, so please check the official information before your visit.

(Sources: Yamanashi Prefecture official website, Koshu City official website, Katsunuma Budo-no-Oka official website, Fujiyoshida City Tourism Guide (official))