Craft Beer Tourism in Japan- IWAI BREWERY, Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture

As you head toward the town center, you'll notice orchards everywhere with signs reading “grapes” and “peaches,” making it clear that this area is famous for fruit production. Alongside peach and grape picking, wine also seems to be a major industry. While perhaps not as numerous as the orchards, there are around 80 wineries scattered throughout Koshu City and nearby towns, making winery tours a common activity. Even on this day, I saw several tour buses stopping at various wineries.

In this "city of wine," Maruki Winery, said to be the oldest in Katsunuma, is located about 4 kilometers from JR Katsunuma Budōkyō Station, but it's only around 1 kilometer from the Katsunuma IC exit on the Chuo Expressway—making it quite convenient by car. Adjacent to this Maruki Winery is IWAI BREWERY, and upstairs in the same building housing Maruki’s boutique is the restaurant IWAI TERRACE, where their beers are served.

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IWAI BREWERY
Address: 2488 Shimo-Iwasaki, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture

This brewery, which just opened in 2024, is run by the same company that operates QUAYS Pacific Grill in Yokohama, which I’ve visited before.

Set on slightly elevated ground off National Route 20 (Koshu Kaido), IWAI BREWERY’s facilities are installed in what appears to be a renovated warehouse, next to Maruki’s vineyard (complete with sheep!) and winery. The signature A-frame boutique houses the IWAI TERRACE restaurant on the second floor, and at the back of the building there’s a BBQ terrace with sweeping views of Koshu City. All of this gives the place the feel of a new tourist attraction. While browsing their website with growing excitement, I discovered that unfortunately IWAI TERRACE is closed during the winter months.

Still, since I was nearby in early February, I decided to stop by. The boutique was only selling wine—not beer—so I asked a staff member, who told me that their craft beer isn't sold in bottles or cans and isn’t available for tasting at the boutique. However, if you bring your own growler, they can fill it to go. Although the website stated they were closed, I noticed people coming down the spiral staircase leading from the second floor. Curious, I went upstairs and found a small merchandise corner at the top.

I asked the staff there and was told, “We’ve already closed for the day.” Too bad… Though I didn’t confirm, it’s possible they were only open for tour groups at the time.

After leaving the boutique, I walked past the brewery and up the stairs to the BBQ terrace. It wasn’t operating, of course, but a line of Weber BBQ grills stood ready, and there was a beer tap labeled IWAI BREWERY behind the counter. Honestly, BBQ and craft beer with that amazing view sounds like a perfect combination.

IWAI TERRACE closes for winter from January 14 to the end of February. Regular business resumes on March 1. I definitely want to come back when it's open next time!