Koshu is the birthplace of wine in Japan, and is well known throughout the world. Koshu also produces some beautiful varieties of fruit, and the persimmons grown here are extremely popular throughout Japan. Also popular is a variety of stone found in Yamato-cho known as Koshu Kurama Stone, which is often used to create stone garden lanterns, stepping stones, bridge stones, water features and other garden ornaments. This variety of stone gets its name from the Kurama Stone found in Kyoto since it is equally suitable for use in garden features.
 
   
   
 
Strawberries
Harvesting period:late January～Early May
Various varieties of strawberries are grown in Koshu, including the Akihime, Koshuhime, Aiberi, Asuka and Toyohime varieties. Visitors can enjoy picking greenhouse grown strawberries.
 
Cherries
Harvesting period:late May～late June

These bright red cherries are known as the jewels of the fruit kingdom. There are around 70 cherry orchards available to tourists within Koshu.
 
 
 Peaches
Harvesting period:July～mid　August

Cultivation of the Hakuho variety of peaches is popular in Koshu. These peaches are also popular for their rich sweetness. Greenhouse cultivation in recent times also allows some of the fruit to ripen early.
 
 
Grapes
Harvesting period:late July～October
Koshu grapes have been grown for many years, mainly in the districts of Kami-Iwasaki, Shimo-Iwasaki and Katsunuma. The Katsunuma district of Koshu is blessed with the perfect environmental conditions for grape growing which explains its long history and current prosperity in this endeavor.
 
 
Dried Persimmons
Harvesting period:November

Japanese persimmons are one of Koshu's local specialties. Their production is said to have been started at the request of Lord Takeda Shingen. In early winter, colorful persimmons are hung out to dry from the eaves, resembling bamboo screens in a way, which creates and unique and charming atmosphere in the area.
 

     
 
     
  Koshu Wine
-- Koshu City is the birthplace of wine in Japan!---		  
     
 

In 1877, two youths, aged 19 and 25 at the time, made their way to France where they studied methods of growing grapes and fermenting them into wine before returning to Japan. Some 130 years on, the Koshu brand of wine now has now matured, and frequently ranks highly in international wine competitions, helping to make a name for Asian wines. Investigations into grape varieties around the world have revealed that the Koshu variety of grapes is unique and found only in Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture. Over 50% of the wine currently produced in Yamanashi is produced in Koshu.

  
   
   

The grapes were originally produced in the Caucasus region of Asian minor. They passed along the Silk Road and crossed over to Japan from China together with Buddhism. There are two folktales associated with where the grapes came from. The first one tells that while the monk Gyoki was passing through Katsunuma, an image of the Buddha appeared bearing grapes in his right hand and a treasure seal in his left both of which he bequeathed to the people of the village. The second tale tells that a man known as Amemiya Kageyu happened upon a peculiar variety of wild grapes at Shironohira that when grown produced beautiful bunches of the fruit.
   
     

     
 


Koshu Kurama Stone is a type of boulder stone produced in the mountains to the north of the Kai Yamato Station on the JR Chuo Line. The stones are a brownish-red grandiorite.

The stones are a popular material for making garden lanterns, stepping stones, bridge stones, water features and other garden ornaments.