The International Hall of Gala Ciders (SISGA) celebrates its first edition in Japan with Asturian and international producers, and activities that bring the culture of cider pouring closer to the Japanese public.
Tokyo is preparing to host the first Asian edition of the International Cider Festival (SISGA) on August 31, 2025. For the first time in its 15-year history, it will be held outside of Asturies. Under the name SISGAJapan, this event marks a milestone in the international projection of cider and the consolidation of a global network of producers, experts, and lovers of this ancient beverage.
Normally based in Xixón, SISGA has become an unmissable event for industry professionals. Year after year, it brings together more than 15 producing countries and awards the world’s most outstanding ciders through a rigorous and independent evaluation system. Beyond the competition, SISGA also functions as a platform for exchange, innovation, and cultural promotion, taking cider beyond the local level and projecting it as a gourmet, diverse, and constantly evolving product.
The landing in Japan: a strategic decisión
The choice of Tokyo as the international venue is no coincidence. Japan has experienced notable growth in its cider production over the last decade, both in quality and volume. Japanese ciders have surprised visitors at several SISGA events with their finesse, originality, and use of native varieties, earning them some of the competition’s most prestigious awards.
With this special edition, SISGA seeks to strengthen ties between Asturies and Japan, two regions that share an artisanal and cultural vision of cider. It also responds to the growing demand in the Asian market for high-quality European products, offering cider makers a unique opportunity to expand commercial and cultural boundaries.
A space for experience: Kanda Myojin Hall
KandaMyojin Hall, an iconic event center located in the heart of Tokyo, will host this event dedicated to cider in all its forms. The SISGAJapan program has been designed to introduce the Japanese public to the diversity of the cider world through multiple formats:
Blind tastings led by experts.
A tasting area with ciders from different countries.
Food pairings with Japanese and Asturian cuisine.
Technical workshops on varieties, processes, and trends.
A professional networking space to foster alliances and exports.
Specialized conferences and workshops for the general public.
One of the most anticipated moments will be, as is traditional, the awards ceremony for the best ciders of the competition, which will recognize the innovation, quality, and authenticity of the participating producers.
Asturies exports tradition and cultura
One of the hallmarks of this Japanese edition will be the prominent presence of Asturian producers, who will travel to Tokyo with a selection of their most representative ciders. Added to this is a unique cultural dimension: the first presentation in Japan of Asturian cider pouring, part of Asturian Cider Culture recently recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Pouring is not just a cider-serving technique: it is a ritual steeped in symbolism, a choreography that expresses hospitality, joy, and deep roots. At SISGAJapan, the Japanese public will be able to attend live demonstrations, participate in a practical workshop, and learn about the heritage value of this practice, which is part of the Asturian soul.
Cider as a cultural and economic bridge
Participation in SISGAJapan is not limited to Asturies and Japan. Regular SISGA producers from countries with a long cider tradition, such as France, Latvia, Estonia, Belgium, Poland, Ireland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and other northern and eastern European countries, will also be present. This makes the event a truly global meeting point, where cider acts as a bridge between cultures, knowledge, and markets.
For many of these producers, the Japanese market represents an opportunity for expansion, as Japanese consumers particularly value quality, the history of the product, and its connection to the region. This edition also reinforces the idea that cider—far from being a local and seasonal beverage—can occupy a prominent place in the international gourmet world.
Beyond cider: an internationalization strategy
With SISGAJapan, the fair’s organizers take another step in their internationalization strategy, positioning SISGA not only as a leading competition, but also as an active player in promoting cider globally. Through events like this, they seek to consolidate institutional alliances, open new markets, and strengthen the network of producers committed to quality and innovation.
Ultimately, SISGAJapan is not just an event, but a symbol of openness and international collaboration. It represents the union between tradition and future, between the local and the global, and between two cultures—Asturian and Japanese—that find a common language in cider.
