Japan is the fifth largest wine importer in the world, a mature, resilient, and sophisticated market with over 30 million wine consumers. The country is also one of the largest importers of sparkling wines by value, with a marked affinity for French wines.
Close to 250 wine importers and distributors operate in the country and although Old World wines are the standard, New World wines are gaining traction thanks to newly emerging importers.
Below you can find a top with some of the most relevant wine importers from Japan:
1. Hotei Wines
With a portfolio of more than 50 brands, Bill Campbell’s company is now entering its 18th year in Japan. Hotei focuses on selling US wines to restaurants, especially wines from California.
Address: Manaka Bldg., 5/F 3-17-5 Shirokanedai Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0071
Phone: 03-5789-2728
Top suppliers: Chateau Montelena, Shafer, Cline Cellars, Joel Gott
Website: www.hoteiwines.com
2. Orca International
Orca is one of the leading Japanese importers of wines from the USA, mainly from Washington, California and Oregon. French wines are also well represented in the company’s portfolio, with premium wines from Bordeaux and Rhone. Orca works mainly with restaurants, wine shops and hotels – Park Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental, Ritz Carlton, etc.
Address: 5-2-19 Nishi-Nippori, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan 116-0013
Phone: 03-3803-1635
Top suppliers: Woodward Canyon, Domaine Serene, Sokol Blosser Winery, Chalk Hill Estate, Bogle Vineyards, Freemark Abbey.
Website: www.orca-international.com
3. Farmstone
Farmstone is one of the main names when in comes to Australian wine in Japan. Managed by Hiromi Ishida, the long-standing importer has a large portfolio with various wineries from the New World.
Address: 5-27-4. Omori Nishi Ota ku, T143, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3761-5354
Top suppliers: Cullen, McHenry, Hohnen, Shaw & Smith, Wulura
Website: www.farmstone.com
4. Monte Bussan
The most important importer of Italian wine and food products on the Japanese market, Monte Bussan has been operating since the 80s and features an impressive variety of brands from all over Italy. The company works closely with close to 10,000 Italian restaurants in the country of the Rising Sun.
Address: Aoyama Oval building 5-52-2 Jingumae- Shibuya-ku 150-0001, Tokyo
Phone: +81 3 5466 4510
Top suppliers: Fontana Fredda, La Spinetta, Umani Ronchi, Mellini, Nino Negri, Monte Rossa
Website: www.montebussan.co.jp
5. Mottox
Mottox is one of Japan’s top 5 wine importers and its main strength is the company’s focus on a wide range of wine regions. Mottox offers both New World and Old World wines, both high profile brands and more value-oriented products.
Address: 1-6-20 Kosaka-Hommachi, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-0802
Phone: 06 – 6723 – 3131
Top suppliers: Mastroberardino, Bruno Giacosa, Valdivieso
Website: www.mottox.co.jp
6. Pieroth Japan K.k.
Pieroth Japan K.K. was established in 1974 after the Pieroth family successfully tested the market with a local importer. Since then, the company has steadily expanded its sales operations, with over 600 employees working from over 45 sales offices nationwide. Today, Pieroth Japan imports over 1,700 wines from 17 countries to meet the ever-increasing and diversified demands of its sophisticated and knowledgeable private and professional clients.
Address: 2-13-31 Konan Minato-Ku, Tokyo-To, 108-0075
Phone: +81 3-3458-4455
Origin of imports: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United States
Website: www.pieroth.jp
7. Vinters Inc.
A wine importer with a focus on high-quality wines that are mainly sold to on-trade customers: restaurants, hotels, and wine shops.
Address: Toranomon 3-chome, 18-19 Toranomon Marine Building 5f Minato-Ku, Tokyo-To, 105-0001
Phone: +81 3-5405-8368, +81 6-6224-0901
Origin of imports: Australia, Bulgaria, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United States.
Website: www.vintners.co.jp
8. Awines Co.
In 2008 Awines started with the idea of selecting a unique set of wines and became a Japanese wine importer with a focus on authenticity, personality and artisanal producers.
Address: 1-10-13 Hassamu 3-jo, Nishi-ku Sapporo, Hokkaido, 063-0823
Phone: +81 80-6081-9357
Origin of imports: Australia, France, New Zealand, United States
Website: https://awines.jp/