04:40Japanese train station vineyard releases own Merlot direct from the platform
Japan's Shiojiri train station, tucked away in the so-called 'Japanese alps' in the centre of the Nagano prefecture, makes the perfect pit stop for wine enthusiasts, as the train platform doubles as a vineyard. Passengers can have a seat beneath the vines and enjoy a glass of locally produced wine, and starting from November 1, the platform's own 'Shiojiri Station Merlot' went on sale.
Footage from Sunday shows the vineyard-platform and a sample of the new wine.
Organised by the city, which is already known for its growing wine industry, the wine went on sale on with a limited sale of 120 bottles, each of 750 ml.
Not only the wine got the interest of wine lovers but also attracts the attention of railroad passengers.
"All the passengers at Shiojiri station are surprised, 'Why are there grapes in such a place?' Then, they gradually approached and said, 'Wow, the grapes are here!', So everyone is having fun by taking pictures and uploading them to Instagram," said Nakazawa Mayumi, member of staff at the Shiojiri Tourist Association
The wine grape vineyard is located on platforms three and four, and is 43 metres (141 feet) long and 3.6 metres (12 feet) wide. It is said to be the only train station platform vineyard in Japan.
"I've been looking forward to it because there have been no such events due to the coronavirus. It's fun enough because I can come from home, drink wine, and walk home. Shiojiri wine has a very fruity taste and is very delicious, so I've been drinking only wine these days," said Ozawa Mitsuoki, a local resident
04:40Japan's Shiojiri train station, tucked away in the so-called 'Japanese alps' in the centre of the Nagano prefecture, makes the perfect pit stop for wine enthusiasts, as the train platform doubles as a vineyard. Passengers can have a seat beneath the vines and enjoy a glass of locally produced wine, and starting from November 1, the platform's own 'Shiojiri Station Merlot' went on sale.
Footage from Sunday shows the vineyard-platform and a sample of the new wine.
Organised by the city, which is already known for its growing wine industry, the wine went on sale on with a limited sale of 120 bottles, each of 750 ml.
Not only the wine got the interest of wine lovers but also attracts the attention of railroad passengers.
"All the passengers at Shiojiri station are surprised, 'Why are there grapes in such a place?' Then, they gradually approached and said, 'Wow, the grapes are here!', So everyone is having fun by taking pictures and uploading them to Instagram," said Nakazawa Mayumi, member of staff at the Shiojiri Tourist Association
The wine grape vineyard is located on platforms three and four, and is 43 metres (141 feet) long and 3.6 metres (12 feet) wide. It is said to be the only train station platform vineyard in Japan.
"I've been looking forward to it because there have been no such events due to the coronavirus. It's fun enough because I can come from home, drink wine, and walk home. Shiojiri wine has a very fruity taste and is very delicious, so I've been drinking only wine these days," said Ozawa Mitsuoki, a local resident