From 15 February to 3 March, 18 graduate students and two faculty members from Montpellier SupAgro, France, visited Japan for a study trip to learn about the local wine industry, food culture, and tourism. The weeklong program, "Wine Business Development in Japan and Southern France", was organized by the Graduate School of Agriculture (GSA) as a Kyoto University Wild & Wise Collaborative Learning Program. GSA and Montpellier SupAgro are research and education partners, with an academic exchange agreement in place since 2015.
The program kicked off with traditional stage performances. The following day featured a visit to the Kyoto Prefectural Government, which signed a sister-relationship agreement in 2015 with the French region of Occitanie (former Languedoc-Roussillon), where Montpellier is located. The students and faculty then embarked on a tour of Amanohashidate Winery and Tamba Winery, both located in Kyoto, over the next two days.
On day four, the group traveled to Yamanashi for on-site learning experiences at the University of Yamanashi's Institute of Enology and Viticulture, Manns Wine Katsunuma Winery, and Suntory Hakushu Distillery. The two-day tour highlighted viticulture and winemaking under Japan's unique climatic conditions, and the country's distinctive wine and beverage cultures.
The final fieldtrip covered Katashimo Winery in Kashiwara, Osaka, and Gekkeikan Sake Company in Fushimi, Kyoto. At the latter, activities included a seminar on the local history and obanzai , a traditional Kyoto cuisine, providing insights into the interconnections between the alcoholic beverage industry, food culture, and the local area.
On the final day, participants took part in a workshop to discuss challenges and possible solutions related to the Japanese wine business.
The program also provided the SupAgro students with opportunities to meet and develop friendships with peers at Kyoto who visited the French school last summer as part of an international fieldwork/exchange course.
Visit to the Kyoto prefectural government office
At Manns Wine Katsunuma Winery, Yamanashi: learning about Japanese winemaking
At Suntory Hakushu Distillery, Yamanashi: exploring Japanese whiskies
At Katashimo Winery, Osaka: gaining insights into interconnections between viticulture, enology, and locality
Workshop discussion on challenges facing the Japanese wine business
Related link
- Wild & Wise Collaborative Learning Programs (2017–2018)
https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/education-campus/education_and_admissions/non-degree-programs/international-education-initiatives/2017-2018.html
