十勝平野の東部にある池田町は北海道におけるワイン発祥の地。町内に自生する山ぶどうにヒントを得て1964年から醸造を行っており、中世ヨーロッパの古城を模したぶどう酒研究所のワイン城は、池田を代表する観光名所となっている。
また、池田は札幌と釧路を結ぶ特急列車の停車駅で、十勝とオホーツクを結ぶルートの中継地でもある。
About 25km east of Obihiro, Ikeda is best known for its winemaking and a handy stopping-off point between Tokachi and Okhotsk regions.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Location 25km east of Obihiro
Population 6400
Highlights Ikeda Wine Castle
Tourist Information Ikeda Town Tourist Association (池田町観光協会): Tel 015-572-2286 / 1st floor of Wine Castle, 83 Kiyomi / 9am-5pm / kankou-ikeda.com
01 WINERY
Ikeda Wine Castle
ワイン城 / 83 Kiyomi / 9am-5pm / FREE / www.tokachi-wine.com
Dating back to 1974 as Japan’s first winery, the town-managed Wine Castle (Wain-jo) is located diagonally behind JR Ikeda Station, on the pleasant hilltop overlooking the town. It has a wine cellar, maturing room, restaurant, shop and looftop observatory. Of course you can taste wine of the day. Plum brandy (梅酒: ume-shu) is also popular souvenir with foreigners. Free guided tours start at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
IKEDA MAP
GETTING THERE
All trains on the JR Nemuro Line stop at Ikeda. The limited express trains Ozora runs from Sapporo (2hrs 45min), Obihiro (17min) and Kushiro (1hr 15min). There are local trains to Obihiro (30min) and Kushiro (1.5hrs) from Ikeda.
