Wine Made at the Foot of a Mythological Mountain: A Visit to Iwami Winery (Shimane Prefecture)

When you think of Shimane Prefecture, many people likely picture Izumo Taisha Shrine.
This land of Izumo is the setting for Japan's oldest historical text, the "Kojiki," and various tales known as "Izumo myths" are still passed down today.

This time, we introduce Shimane Prefecture's "Iwami Winery," located at the foot of Mount Sanbe, a mountain that also appears in these Izumo myths.

Iwami Winery has a vast 4.7-hectare vineyard at the foot of Mount Sanbe. The land is centered around a distinctive soil derived from volcanic ash called "Kuroboku soil," which has high water retention and permeability. Combined with a significant temperature difference between day and night due to the high elevation, it is an ideal location for grape cultivation.

Here, in addition to international varieties such as Chardonnay and Merlot, unique grape varieties like Marselan, Fuji no Yume, and Hokuten no Shizuku are also cultivated.

Planting began in 2017, and the following year, in 2018, the winery opened in a renovated former ski resort lodge. A lift leading up to the summit—a remnant from those ski resort days—is still operational today, and you can occasionally see visitors enjoying summer mountain climbing. The facility also features an outdoor barbecue area.

First, we spoke with Mr. Segawa, who is in charge of winemaking, about the appeal of Iwami Winery. (Viewing time: 5 minutes)

About a 20-minute drive from Iwami Winery is "Iwami Winery Hotel Misato."

This hotel features Ushio Onsen, famous for its skin-beautifying hot spring waters, and all guest rooms offer river views overlooking the Gono River, the largest river in the Chugoku region. Here, you can truly enjoy a stay surrounded by grand nature.

Of course, at the hotel's restaurant, you can enjoy Iwami Winery's wines paired with seasonal local ingredients. There is even a library filled with numerous books, creating a space where you can genuinely lose track of time. Treat yourself to the luxury of doing nothing at all.

In the surrounding area, there are places to enjoy river activities such as auto-camping and canoeing, such as "Canoe no Sato Ochi," as well as leisure spots featuring tennis courts and cottages like "Golden Utopia Ochi." With Iwami Winery at its center, these facilities form a major resort area.

Iwami Winery opened in 2018. There is a strong sense that its wines will continue to evolve even further, which is incredibly exciting.

Located just a little over an hour's drive from Izumo Airport, you can enjoy delicious wine, great food, and even hot springs that leave your skin feeling silky smooth.
Come and experience a true winery resort surrounded by nature for yourself!

[Iwami Winery IWAMI WINERY] 1640-2 Ro, Sanbe-cho, Oda City, Shimane 694-0222 TEL: 0854-83-9103 Closed: Every Tuesday (subject to change) * For detailed information, please contact the winery directly.