The Japan Heritage “140 Years of Japanese Wine” Wine Academy, commonly known as the Ushiku Wine Academy, will hold an open seminar on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Ushiku Chateau in Ushiku, Ibaraki. The seminar, which is also open to members of the public who are not enrolled in the academy, will feature the themes “Support from Ushiku City” and “Winery Management — From the Perspectives of Marketing and Branding.”
The academy offers a comprehensive program covering the wine industry from grape cultivation and winemaking to marketing and business management. This seminar opens part of that curriculum to the public and is intended not only for winery professionals, but also for a broad range of people interested in the wine business and regional industries.
In the first session, Ushiku Deputy Mayor Shinichi Takaba will speak on the theme “Support from Ushiku City,” introducing the city’s initiatives to promote the wine industry and support winery management.
In the second session, Tetsutaro Murata, who has worked in marketing and business revitalization across the alcoholic beverage industry and a wide range of other sectors, will serve as lecturer. Under the theme “Winery Management — From the Perspectives of Marketing and Branding,” he will give an approximately three-hour lecture on brand strategy, marketing approaches and business soundness required for sustainable winery management, drawing on concrete examples from projects he has worked on himself.
In recent years, the Japanese wine market has seen growing attention to regional brands alongside improvements in quality. At the same time, many wineries, particularly small-scale producers, continue to face management challenges such as developing sales channels, building brands and securing personnel. This seminar offers an opportunity to learn practical perspectives on these issues.
It is also a chance for anyone interested in enrolling in the Ushiku Wine Academy to experience the atmosphere of the academy through a single-session program.
After the seminar, a networking reception is planned where participants can interact with the lecturers over Ushiku Chateau craft beer and light refreshments. Only 30 in-person seats are available, so those interested may wish to apply early.
Event Overview
Themes
Session 1: “Support from Ushiku City” — Shinichi Takaba (planned duration: 30 minutes)
Session 2: “Winery Management — From the Perspectives of Marketing and Branding” — Tetsutaro Murata (planned duration: 180 minutes)
Date and Time Saturday, October 17, 2026 12:00–16:00 (doors open at 11:00)
Venue Ushiku Chateau, Houseiken 3-20-1 Chuo, Ushiku, Ibaraki / about a 7-minute walk from JR Ushiku Station
Tuition
In person: ¥5,500 (tax included), limited to 30 seats
Online: ¥3,300 (tax included)
* In-person registration will close once capacity is reached.
Registration and Inquiries
Tuition must be paid in advance by bank transfer. Registration is complete only after both the application and payment have been received; the deadline for both is October 10. Only 30 in-person seats are available, so please apply early.
https://forms.gle/tLSsRyutLtauVPNe9
Inquiries: info@vinocomo.com