Ajimu Winery
Did you know that, in addition to one of the prefecture’s best waterfalls, Ajimu has a winery too? Here’s another interesting fact. There is a kanji-based Japanese word for wine, different from the katakana rendition wain (ワイン). The word is budo-shu (葡萄酒), literally “grape liquor.”
The Ajimu Winery is actually a subsidiary of Sanwa Shurui (三和酒類), the company that also makes iichiko (いいちこ), the top selling brand of barley shochu (a distilled liquor) and the source of the name of the Iichiko Culture Center and the two concert halls within OASIS.
At the winery, a guide provided interesting explanations of the wine making process and what grapes were used. For example, the barrels used to store the wine were imported from the United States and Europe, because Japan’s climate is too humid to grow ideal wood. On either end of the barrels were affixed pieces of chestnut, which serves to attract the small insects that will inevitably find their way into the dark, damp cellar. The insects will the not damage the barrel itself and the precious wine within. This technique is native to Japan; it was an interesting blend of Japanese and Western cultures.
About twenty types of wine are available for sampling at the gift shop.
So next time you are feeling bored some weekend, head on over to Ajimu!
Directions:
From the Ajimu Town Office, head west on Road 42 from 1.5 km. Turn north at the Family Travel Village (家族旅行村) and follow the signs to the winery.
Open Hours: 9:00~16:00
Closed: Tuesdays (except holidays), the Bon Festival holiday, and December 29~January 3
Entrance: Free!
0978-32-1431
Article originally appeared in The Tombo Times, Jan 2007.
