Japan Cider Cup 2027 – Tokyo, Japan

Overview

The Japan Cider Cup represents the premier international celebration of artisan apple cider and perry in Japan, hosted annually at the state-of-the-art Tokyo Tama Mirai Messe facility in Hachioji. Organised by inCiderJapan, this bustling festival brings together domestic craft cider makers from across the Japanese archipelago alongside international importers and global cider experts. The event serves as the grand finale and awards ceremony for the national consumer-judged cider competition, creating a vibrant bridge between passionate craft producers and an eager public eager to explore the rapidly growing world of fermented fruit beverages.

Throughout the spacious modern venue, visitors can meander between dozens of curated vendor booths featuring everything from crisp, traditional dry ciders to modern botanical-infused blends, perries, meads, and artisanal fruit juices. Attendees have the rare chance to converse directly with master cidermakers, discovering the unique orchard stories, apple varieties, and fermentation techniques behind every bottle. The floor atmosphere remains vibrant throughout the day with live award presentations, interactive cider quizzes, stage introductions, and scheduled raffle drawings featuring exclusive cider prizes.

Beyond the expansive drink selections, the Japan Cider Cup provides an inclusive, festive environment completed by local food trucks, artisanal snack pairings, and community craft stands. Set in the western Tokyo hub of Hachioji, the venue offers an accessible and welcoming setting for seasoned cider aficionados, casual craft beverage fans, and curious day-trippers alike. The festival delivers an unmatched immersion into contemporary Japanese craft beverage culture and international orchard craft.

Event Highlights

• International Cidermaker Gathering: Direct access to meet domestic Japanese craft cider producers and international beverage importers.
• Live Awards Ceremony: Public announcement and celebration of the official Japan Cider Cup competition winners.
• Interactive Stage Program: Engaging cider quizzes, vendor interviews, and multiple raffle sessions with specialty prizes.
• Expansive Craft Selection: Dozens of unique ciders, perries, craft beers, meads, and non-alcoholic apple juices available for tasting.

Why Attend

Attending the Japan Cider Cup presents a fantastic opportunity to experience Japan’s dynamic craft beverage movement firsthand within a spacious, modern expo setting. The event offers a comprehensive tasting journey through diverse flavor profiles—ranging from sparkling dry heritage ciders to sweet ice ciders and hopped creations—all conveniently located under one roof. Meeting the actual producers behind the bottles adds an authentic personal connection to every sip enjoyed.

This event is ideal for craft beverage enthusiasts, foodies, international travelers, families, and anyone interested in modern Japanese agricultural craftsmanship. Attendees benefit from free general admission, affordable drink sampling options, access to delicious local food vendors, and a lively community environment celebrating one of the world’s most historic fermented drinks.

Date & Duration

• Event Date: May 2027
• Event Duration: Full-day event

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold: Free general entry for all attendees, with tasting tickets and bottle purchases bought directly from vendors inside.
• Admission Type: Free Admission
• Ticket Pricing: Free Admission
• Special Seating Options: Open seating tables, standing high-tops, and lounge areas located throughout the exhibition hall.
• VIP Options: Standard open public access for all visitors without tiered ticket packages.

Venue / Location

• City and Country: Tokyo, Japan
• Venue Name: Tokyo Tama Mirai Messe
• Google Maps Address: 3 Chome-19-2 Myojincho, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0046, Japan

Contact Information

• Email: info@japancidercup.com
• Phone Number: +81 42-649-3540
• Official Website: https://en.japantravel.com/tokyo/japan-cider-cup/70586

Accommodation Options:

Travelers seeking immediate access to the event hall can book rooms at modern business hotels situated within steps of Keisei Hachioji Station and JR Hachioji Station. These comfortable accommodations offer streamlined check-in, contemporary amenities, and extreme proximity to the exhibition center and nearby shopping malls.

For guests preferring high-rise luxury or centralized urban sightseeing, staying in major western Tokyo transit hubs like Shinjuku or Tachikawa provides a fantastic base. Both locations offer direct, fast train routes into Hachioji alongside extensive nightlife, international dining, and premium hotel choices.

Getting There

• Nearest Airport: Tokyo Haneda Airport, located approximately 38 miles east of the venue.
• Nearest Train/Metro Station: Keisei Hachioji Station on the Keio Line or JR Hachioji Station on the JR Chuo Line.
• Bus Routes or Public Transport Options: Keio city buses run frequent direct routes connecting both station terminals to the Tokyo Tama Mirai Messe complex.
• Parking Availability: Paid underground parking garage spaces are available directly beneath the Tokyo Tama Mirai Messe building and surrounding public lots.
• Directions by Car: Accessible via the Chuo Expressway by taking the Hachioji Interchange onto Route 16 directly toward central Hachioji.

Dining Recommendations

Breakfast Recommendations:

• Keio Station Bakery: Convenient transit cafe offering warm drip coffee, egg sandwiches, and freshly baked sweet breads.
• Hachioji Morning Diner: Local station-side spot serving traditional Japanese breakfast sets with grilled salmon, rice, and miso soup.
• Tama Plaza Cafe: Modern morning eatery providing espresso drinks, buttered toast sets, and fresh fruit yogurt bowls.

Lunch Recommendations:

• Event Food Vendors: Food trucks and stalls inside the venue offering artisanal sausages, savory pies, and hot festival bites paired with cider.
• Hachioji Ramen House: Famous local noodle shop specializing in signature Hachioji-style ramen featuring chopped raw onions in rich soy broth.
• Myojin Soba Kitchen: Traditional noodle house near the venue serving hand-rolled buckwheat soba and crispy vegetable tempura.

Dinner Recommendations:

• Hachioji Craft Izakaya: Lively neighborhood pub offering charcoal-grilled skewers, raw fish platters, and regional Japanese craft beers.
• Tama Grill and Bar: Stylish evening restaurant serving flame-grilled steak cuts, local cheeses, and imported craft beverages.
• Soju Izakaya: Welcoming local tavern serving seasonal small plates, hot pot dishes, and regional Japanese sake.

Local Specialties to Try:

• Hachioji Ramen: Renowned regional ramen variation characterized by a clear soy sauce broth topped with finely diced raw onions.
• Tama Valley Cider: Locally produced craft cider crafted from apples harvested in the surrounding Tokyo and Nagano mountain orchards.
• Takao Tengu Sembei: Traditional crispy rice crackers produced near Mount Takao, seasoned with rich local soy sauce.

What is this event?

The Japan Cider Cup is an annual international craft cider festival and tasting event held at Tokyo Tama Mirai Messe. The event brings together cider makers, importers, food vendors, and the public for a day of tasting, education, and celebration.

Conceived as a platform to elevate craft cider awareness in Japan, the festival hosts the awards ceremony for the national consumer-judged cider competition. It gives guests a unique chance to sample hundreds of unique ciders while meeting the artisans who create them.

Why is it popular?

The festival is popular because it provides an open, accessible environment where visitors can taste a massive variety of domestic and international ciders in one place. Free admission combined with direct producer interaction makes it a favorite for both casual drinkers and craft enthusiasts.

Additionally, the event features a lively stage program complete with cider quizzes, raffle drawings, and delicious food truck pairings. Located just a short train ride from central Tokyo, it makes for an ideal spring day trip.

Tips before you go

• Bring Physical Japanese Yen: Many individual cider stalls and food vendors operate on a cash-only basis for tasting tickets and bottles.
• Pace Your Tasting Experience: With dozens of cider makers presenting multiple bottles, purchase small sample tickets to try diverse styles.
• Check the Stage Schedule: Keep track of scheduled raffle draws and cider quiz sessions to participate in free prize giveaways.
• Arrive Early for Popular Bottlings: Rare international imports and limited-edition micro-batch ciders often sell out by mid-afternoon.
• Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day: Take advantage of free water stations situated around the exhibition hall between cider tastings.

Tips for First-Time Visitors

• Use Public Transit for Easy Travel: Take the Keio Line directly to Keisei Hachioji Station or the JR Chuo Line to JR Hachioji Station for a seamless walk to the hall.
• Purchase Sample Tickets First: Upon entering Exhibition Hall A, buy a set of drink sampling tickets to easily taste ciders across various vendor booths.
• Interact Directly with Cidermakers: Take time to ask vendors about their apple varieties, fermentation methods, and food pairing suggestions.
• Enter the Official Raffle Sessions: Make sure to purchase raffle tickets at designated counter areas prior to drawing deadlines for chances to win cider packages.
• Pair Drinks with Food Truck Options: Explore the venue’s food stalls to match savory dishes like artisanal sausages and cheeses with complementary cider styles.
• Explore Historic Hachioji After the Event: Extend your day trip by visiting nearby attractions like Mount Takao or exploring the dining streets surrounding JR Hachioji Station.

Attendee Experiences

• Sampling incredible craft ciders from across Japan and talking to the actual makers made for an unforgettable afternoon.
• The atmosphere was so welcoming and lively, with fantastic food trucks, raffle games, and great music throughout the venue.
• Discovering how diverse cider can taste—from bone dry to fruity and botanical—completely changed my perspective on craft drinks.

Location

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