Achi Corporation, the tourism bureau of Achi Village in Nagano Prefecture, has launched two new varieties of Goka Apple Wine starting February 20, 2026. The new wines, CYGNUS and PEGASUS, are made from apples grown in the Goka district of Achi Village, an area known for producing high-quality apples thanks to the significant temperature difference between day and night.
The Goka district is located at the southern edge of Nagano Prefecture, with views of the expansive Southern Alps. The area's natural environment, characterized by strong sunlight during the day and cool temperatures at night, creates ideal conditions for growing sweet apples with rich honey content.
Expanding the Seasonal Wine Collection
The Goka special products project was launched in 2024 through collaboration between local residents and farmers to showcase the district's delicious apples. In July 2025, the first two Goka Apple Wines were released: ORION, a dry wine using Fuji apples suited for winter, and VIRGO, a sweet wine using Shinano Sweet apples suited for spring.
The two new varieties complete the seasonal lineup:
CYGNUS (Summer - Cygnus constellation): A medium-sweet wine made from Shinano Gold apples, featuring refreshing aromas reminiscent of herbs and orange. Alcohol content: 8%, Sugar content (Brix): 7 degrees
PEGASUS (Autumn - Pegasus constellation): A medium-dry wine made from Akibae apples, highlighting the variety's juicy fruit character with crisp acidity and fruity aroma. Alcohol content: 9%, Sugar content (Brix): 7 degrees
Each wine is named after a constellation representing its respective season, with the constellation illustrated on the bottle label.
Complete Lineup of Four Seasonal Wines
Spring: Virgo "VIRGO"
- Variety: Shinano Sweet
- Alcohol content: 6%
- Sugar content (Brix): 10 degrees
- Taste: Very sweet
Summer: Cygnus "CYGNUS"
- Variety: Shinano Gold
- Alcohol content: 8%
- Sugar content (Brix): 7 degrees
- Taste: Medium-sweet
Autumn: Pegasus "PEGASUS"
- Variety: Akibae
- Alcohol content: 9%
- Sugar content (Brix): 7 degrees
- Taste: Medium-dry
Winter: Orion "ORION"
- Variety: Fuji
- Alcohol content: 8%
- Sugar content (Brix): 8 degrees
- Taste: Dry
Product Details
- Product type: Fruit wine
- Volume: 500ml
- Price: 1,950 yen (tax included)
- Manufacturer: Shinshu Mashino Wine Co., Ltd.
Sales Locations:
- ACHI BASE Tourist Facility Shop (338-25 Chisato, Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture 395-0304)
- SHOP & CAFÉ & about HIRUGAMI Hirugami Kiosk (347-1 Chisato, Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture 395-0304)
Additional retailers are expected to be added.
Launch Bonus
The first 100 purchasers of each new variety will receive a constellation keychain made from thinned wood from Achi Village forests.
About Goka District
The Goka area was originally an independent village formed in 1875 (Meiji 8) when five villages merged: Mukoseki Village, Okurakura Village, Kawachi Village, Kuriya Village, and Bicchuuhara Village. It remained Goka Village for approximately 80 years until becoming part of Achi Village in 1956.
Goka features natural landscapes including viewpoints overlooking the expansive Southern Alps, nostalgic agricultural scenery, and colonies of small but resilient wildflowers such as skunk cabbage and winter aconite.
About Achi Village
Located at the southern tip of Nagano Prefecture, Achi Village is a quiet mountain village known for Hirugami Onsen hot springs and the "Village of Peach Blossoms." The Hirugami Onsen, which emerged in 1973, features alkaline simple sulfur spring water with a pH of 9.7. The smooth, silky water feels like warm toner on the skin and is known as "beautiful skin hot spring" for its moisturizing effect.
The village was also recognized as the number one location for stargazing in Japan by the Ministry of the Environment's nationwide continuous star observation survey (2006). To leverage this distinction for regional revitalization and tourism promotion, the Star Village Achi Tourism Promotion Council was established in 2012. The council has been organizing events including "Heaven's Paradise - Japan's Best Starry Sky Night Tour" since August 2012, "Sea of Clouds & Starry Sky - Heaven's Paradise Sea of Clouds Harbor" since October 2014, and "Heaven's Paradise Winter Night Tour" since December 2016. By the end of March 2023, these events had attracted over one million cumulative visitors.
