The 15 October theatre performance highlights ties between Asturies and Japan, strengthened by SISGA in Xixón, SISGAJapan in Tokyo and Japanese cider makers taking part in the fair.
A play connecting two cultures
The Casa de Cultura in Cangas de Onís hosts “Kanpai!” on Thursday 15 October at 7 p.m. The play brings Asturian cider and Japanese sake into dialogue, exploring their ingredients, production methods and place in community life. The performance concludes with a demonstration of traditional Asturian cider pouring.
The title refers to the Japanese toast and points to a shared social dimension. In Asturies, cider is inseparable from cider bars, communal gatherings and celebrations; sake likewise plays an important part in Japanese gastronomy and rituals.
SISGA builds bridges between Asturies and Japan
This cultural relationship also has a history within the cider sector. The presentation of the 13th SISGA in Japan in 2023 included talks in Hiroshima and Tokyo on Asturian cider culture and traditional pouring techniques, helping connect producers and professionals.
Japanese cider has also been recognised in Xixón. At the 2024 SISGA Awards, Fukiware Cidrerie won two Premium awards: one for Numata Apples Dry Ex-Brut in the dry still cider category and another for Numata Apples Sweet in the sweet still cider category. The fair also held a guided Japanese cider tasting showcasing these products.
SISGAJapan: an international cider meeting in Tokyo
Cooperation led to the creation of SISGAJapan in 2025, promoted by Japanese producers and businesses, Kanda Eclipse First Sidreria, the Asturies XXI Foundation and Cider Cities. A further Tokyo edition was scheduled for 30 August 2026, with tastings, cultural exchange and professional networking at its heart.
The Asturies XXI Foundation has also supported this connection through a Japanese-language guide to Asturian cider culture, introducing Japanese audiences to Asturian traditions. The exchange is not only about drinks: it brings together knowledge, practices and ways of experiencing food culture.
From the stage to cultural cooperation
“Kanpai!” in Cangas de Onís and the cider gatherings in Xixón and Tokyo are different expressions of the same relationship. Theatre makes that cultural dialogue accessible to a wider audience, while SISGA and SISGAJapan create lasting ties among cider makers, professionals and enthusiasts.
Event announcement source: El Búscolu, 13/10/2026.
