Updated: June 19, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A day trip to Katsunuma \u2014 often called the “Napa Valley of Japan”<\/strong> \u2014 is one of the most rewarding wine experiences you can have without leaving the country for the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best things about this Yamanashi wine tour is that you can enjoy winery hopping without driving. Using only public transportation and walking, you can taste wine freely and explore Katsunuma at your own pace on an easy day trip from Tokyo. With a direct highway bus from Shinjuku, you can leave the city in the morning, spend the day visiting wineries, and return to Shinjuku by evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Katsunuma, in Yamanashi Prefecture, is Japan’s most concentrated wine-producing area, with around 30 wineries clustered in a single district. If you want to enjoy Japanese wine at your own pace, this self-guided winery tour is a great alternative to a guided tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this article, I share two routes, each starting from a different bus stop:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both courses cover the same general area, so you can choose based on your schedule \u2014 or combine them for a full day of exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Katsunuma is one of Japan’s most famous wine regions, but many visitors assume they need a car or taxi to get around. In fact, it is entirely possible to enjoy a full Yamanashi winery tour in one day using only public transportation and walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The key to this trip is choosing the right bus stop. Chuo Expressway Shakado Bus Stop<\/strong> is located inside a highway rest area, with restrooms and shops available \u2014 a comfortable and easy place to start. Katsunuma Bus Stop<\/strong> has more frequent bus services, making it flexible and easy to fit into your schedule. From either stop, several wineries are within walking distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For travelers who want a flexible, independent wine day trip from Tokyo, both routes are excellent options. What makes this Katsunuma winery tour especially appealing is that you can enjoy a full day of wine tasting using only a highway bus and your own two feet \u2014 no rental car, taxi, or train transfer required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two convenient bus stops for exploring Katsunuma on foot:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chuo Expressway Shakado Bus Stop<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Katsunuma Bus Stop<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Both stops give you walking access to the same winery area.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip: Combine both stops for a loop route<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhy Visit Katsunuma by Highway Bus?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Two Bus Stops to Choose From<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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You can also use both stops in one day \u2014 for example, arriving at Katsunuma Bus Stop and returning from Chuo Expressway Shakado Bus Stop (or vice versa). This lets you walk through the area naturally without retracing your steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n