Wine lovers will have the chance to sample some of Yamagata's finest vintages at the Nanyo Wine Festival, an annual event that brings together local wineries, food, and music in the heart of the region's wine country. With more than five decades of history, the event has grown into one of the area's signature celebrations of local wine culture.
Held in the hot spring district of Akayu Onsen, the festival transforms a section of road near Ekubo Plaza into a lively open-air venue. Visitors can stroll between booths while sampling wines from six wineries located within the city, making it a rare opportunity to compare a wide variety of local labels in one place. Participating producers include Sakai Winery, Sudo Grape Wine, Oura Wine, Sato Grape Wine, GRAPE REPUBLIC, and Yellow Magic Winery.
Yamagata is one of Japan's leading grape-producing regions, and Nanyo is known as the prefecture's winery hub, with six wineries located within the city. The area's climate is marked by long hours of sunshine and significant temperature differences between day and night, creating ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality grapes and producing distinctive wines.
Alongside the wine tastings, around 20 food stalls will serve dishes designed to pair with the region's wines, including pizza made using wine juice and grape skins, and local Yonezawa beef. Throughout the event, DJs provide a lively soundtrack, blending music with the festival's relaxed wine-tasting atmosphere.
This year also introduces a new interactive element: attendees will receive an original festival towel and later join a group toast while waving the towels to the music, creating a festive sense of unity as the evening unfolds.
