Ushiku Chateau

Ushiku Chateau is a historic wine brewery located in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Established in 1903 by entrepreneur Denbee Kamiya, it is recognized as Japan's first full-scale wine brewery, integrating grape cultivation, winemaking, bottling, and shipping on a single site. The facility was modeled after a French winery and employed Bordeaux techniques. Today, the approximately 60,000-square-meter grounds retain three original brick buildings—the former office, fermentation room, and storage cellar—which were designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan in 2008. The site also includes the Kamiya Denbee Memorial Hall, the Oenon Museum, a restaurant, and a beer brewery. Owned by Oenon Holdings, Inc., Ushiku Chateau continues to produce wine and craft beer under the Ushiku Winery and Ushiku Brewery, while serving as a cultural and tourist destination. In 2020, it was certified as part of a Japan Heritage story highlighting the 140-year history of Japanese wine.

Ushiku Chateau was founded in 1903 by Denbee Kamiya (1856–1922), a Japanese entrepreneur. Kamiya was born in Mikawa Province (present-day Aichi Prefecture) and developed an interest in Western liquor while working at a French-owned liquor store in Yokohama in 1873. After starting a successful business selling sweetened wine in Tokyo, he aspired to create a fully integrated winery in Japan. In 1894, he sent his adopted son Denzo to Bordeaux, France, to study viticulture and winemaking. Denzo returned in 1897 with knowledge, books, and equipment. Kamiya purchased land in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture, and began planting grapevines. Construction of the brewery, designed by Tokitaro Okada, started in 1901 and was completed in September 1903. The facility, named Ushiku Brewery, was Japan's first full-scale wine brewery, combining grape cultivation, winemaking, storage, and bottling. Its wines won awards at international exhibitions, including a gold medal at the 1904 Paris Exposition. However, domestic demand for authentic wine remained limited, and production stabilized at around 150–180 koku per year during the Meiji and Taisho eras. After World War II, land reforms reduced the vineyard, and the brewery scaled down. In 1948, Asahi Shokai Co., Ltd. was established as a subsidiary of Godo Shusei Co., Ltd. (now Oenon Holdings) and took over operations. Over the decades, the site was transformed into a leisure facility with restaurants and shops. In 1992, the company was renamed Ushiku Chateau Garden Co., Ltd. In 2003, the parent company became Oenon Holdings, Inc. In 2007, the site was recognized as a Modern Industrial Heritage by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In June 2008, three buildings—the former office, fermentation room, and storage cellar—were designated Important Cultural Properties. The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake damaged the buildings, requiring extensive restoration that was completed in 2016. In 2018, the restaurant facilities closed, but the site remained open for tours. In 2019, Ushiku City signed agreements to lease the entire facility. In June 2020, Ushiku Chateau was certified as part of a Japan Heritage story. As of 2025, the Oenon Museum closed, but the site continues to operate as a wine and beer production site and cultural landmark.

• Ushiku Brewery completed; Japan's first full-scale wine brewery established.

• Won Honorary Gold Medal at the World Sanitary Food Exposition in Crystal Palace, UK.

• Won Gold Medal at the Tuileries Exposition in Paris.

• Won First-Class Gold Medal at the Tokyo Industrial Exposition.

• Asahi Shokai Co., Ltd. established as subsidiary of Godo Shusei; begins operating Ushiku Chateau.

• Restaurant 'Cannon' opened in the former storage cellar.

• Asahi Shokai renamed Ushiku Chateau Garden Co., Ltd.

• Microbrewery and beer restaurant opened on site.

• Parent company Godo Shusei renamed Oenon Holdings, Inc.

• Certified as Modern Industrial Heritage by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

• Three former brewery buildings designated Important Cultural Properties.

• Great East Japan Earthquake damages the three Important Cultural Property buildings.

• Restoration of the former office completed, finishing all earthquake repairs.

• Comprehensive partnership agreement signed with Ushiku City.

• Basic agreement reached for Ushiku City to lease the entire facility.

• Lease agreement signed between Ushiku City and Ushiku Chateau.

• Certified as part of Japan Heritage story '140-year history of Japanese wine'.

• Oenon Museum closed.

Historic premium wine and craft beer brand, cultural heritage site

• Ushiku Chateau Wine

  Wine produced at Ushiku Winery, a production base of Godo Shusei Co., Ltd. In 2017, about 2 tons, approximately 2,000 bottles were produced.

• Ushiku Chateau Beer

  Craft beer brewed at Ushiku Brewery. Main products include Helles, Dunkel, and Pilsner. The Helles has won multiple awards at the International Beer Cup.

• Belgian White

  Won Silver Award in Belgian-Style Witbier category at the 2014 International Beer Cup.

1. 1牛久シャトー公式サイトoenon.jp
2. 2牛久シャトーについて ｜ 歴史を知る ｜ 牛久シャトー公式サイトoenon.jp
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4. 4神谷傳兵衛の足跡 ｜ 歴史を知る ｜ 牛久シャトー公式サイトoenon.jp
5. 5牛久シャトー - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
6. 6Ushiku Chateauwikidata.org