When you are in Japan’s apple country, you find a cidery. While Hirosaki boasts the highest apple production in the country, it has only recently come into producing craft hard cider in Japan. Hirosaki’s climate is perfect for apple production. Ample water from the snow-covered mountains fills the river with beautiful tasting water. Kimori Cidre uses the handpicked local fruit to produce its cider and is one of several cider makers you can visit in Hirosaki.
[Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August of 2018 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.]
History of Cider in Japan
Most people might think of Mitsuya Cider when they think of cider in Japan. A clear soft drink that frankly is fantastic and one of my favorite (and only) sodas that I drink. However, we’re talking hard cider here. Something that as an American I didn’t grow to like much until I had drier versions at a local cidery in the Blue Ridge Mountains and solidified my love after a trip to England.
For the record, you more generally will see the French romanization as “Cidre” vs. the English “Cider” while looking for cider in Japan.
In the early 1950’s one of the local sake brewing presidents was visiting America and Europe and noticed the sparkling cider businesses and thought it was a good idea. As a collaboration with Asahi, they started sales in 昭和 31年. Showa 31 = 1955 or thereabouts depending on the time of year, Asahi puts the release of the first cider in Japan in 1956. Later, Nikka Whiskey Co., Ltd., took over the business and is much of the hard cider you see in convenience stores around Japan.
In 2014, Hirosaki City was certified as a ハウスワインシードル特区 (House Wine Cider Special Zone) which made it easier for “craft” cider to emerge, and one of the first was Hirosaki Cider Koubou Kimori.
Side note: Did you know that June 3rd is World Cider Day?
弘前シードル工房Kimori
Conveniently co-located within the Hirosaki Apple Park is 弘前シードル工房Kimori (Hirosaki Cider Studio Kimori). The label goes by “Kimori Cidre” so it’s easy to abbreviate to “Kimori”.
Founder Satoshi Takahashi launched the cidery in 2014 after an idea to use the “left over” apples that could not be sold as fruit. If you’ve been to a Japanese grocery store, you may have noticed the impeccable conditions!
What is the meaning of Kimori?
There is a Japanese practice that feels very ingrained in Shinto tradition that is to leave a fruit on the tree at the end of the harvest. It’s like an offering to the gods to thank them for a good harvest and hope for a bountiful harvest the next year.
木守り (kimori) Noun 1. fruits left on a tree during winter (supposedly causing more fruits to appear in the next season)
jisho.org
The maker of Kimori took this as part of the name as a way of honoring the past and looking towards the future and I think that’s really beautiful.
Kimori Cidre Tasting Room
Tastings are 300 yen apiece. When I first went to Kimori, there were three ciders to pick from. Sweet, green and dry. The sweet and the green are good “porch drinks” as I like to call them. 3% alcohol and you could enjoy them all day, relaxing the summer away. They must have been too similar because now they no longer have the “green” option.
The dry is a little higher but nothing to write home about at 6%. And for 300 yen, they aren’t bad pours.
Bonus? The staff told us that these are completely all-natural products. Simply pressed apple and yeast, not even water is added! It is then unfiltered so it is not as clear as some other cider products you may have had in the past.
How to get to Kimori Cidre Tasting Room
You are in luck and you don’t have to search google like a mad man like me. The tasting room (and cidery for that matter), is in a nondescript white building before you get to the main parking lot of the apple park.
Set back into the apple orchard, it is very relaxing. There are several indoor seats as well as some more outside on the porch. They even had a swing set up when I was there!
Personally, I walked (I’m used to long walks with my commute in Japan) to try out Kimori Cidre but there is also the 100 yen loop bus that hits the major tourist attractions every 10 minutes!
Hirosaki Cidre Map: Where to find local cider in Hirosaki
The tourism board of Hirosaki likes maps, and I thank them for it! It makes it very easy when you are planning your trip around a new city in Japan! It’s a great way to find similar activities and makes for a fun game – this is the land of got to catch them all, isn’t it?!
As the Apple Pie Guide Map covers the basic needs of sweets and delicious snacks, for a more adult pallet and a refreshing afternoon beverage, there is also the Hirosaki Cidre Map.
There are over 60 stores and restaurants selling local cider in Hirosaki.
4 Different Local Ciders to try in Hirosaki
In total, you have four different companies making cider in the area. Each has a few selections to try ranging from very sweet to dry.
- A-FACTORY
- 弘前シードル工房kimori (my favorite, Hirosaki Cider Koubou kimori)
- ニッカウヰスキー (Nikka Whiskey, the original and you can find it around Japan in convenience stores)
- タムラファーム (Tamura Farms)
I tried each of the different brands of cider while in Hirosaki. Kimori Cidre was definitely the best! I don’t normally like sweet cider but this one was light and refreshing. The dry is delicious and would pair well with food.
Can’t make it to Aomori? If you are in the greater Tokyo region, you can find Kimori Cidre locally in Yokohama. If you haven’t tried it, give it a whirl!
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シードルの辞典 (Cider Encyclopedia)
If you are like me and trying to up your Japanese abilities, one of the recommended options for reading is to find something you want to read. If that means cider for you, The Japan Cider Master Association has you covered with the Cider Encyclopedia.
How to find cider in Japan
While this post stems from experiences in Japan’s apple country while I was on a trip to Aomori, the cider scene is growing in Japan. Not just from an importer front but also for Japan ciders.
One great resource is my friend Lee and company over at inCiderJapan. You can find their magazine at many bars offering cider around the country – it’s the first of its kind! (And don’t worry, it’s bilingual).
Other Apple Regions of Japan
Of course, apples tend to grow in a colder climate. Some of the other big regions are Nagano and Yamagata, however, there are locations all over Japan that make cider!
For that, there is this handy map by the Japan Cider Master Association. The letters are where some of the festivals take place, the apple trees are obviously orchards (that also make cider) and then the barrels are all brewers!
There is also the Far East Cider Association doing good work in the name of cider.
Big brands of cider in Japan
While not all of the big brands (looking at you, Sapporo) have jumped on the cider bandwagon, Kirin, Asahi (with the help of the aforementioned Nikka), and Suntory all have cider options available. The best option for finding them is at your local convenience store in Japan or コンビニ (konbini).
If you are close to apple-making regions, you’ll generally be able to find local brands as well but will have less luck further away.
How to search on Google for cider in Japan
If you are looking for cider while around Japan, it’s possible to have some luck Googling “Cider” and “city you are in”. The better bet is to use the Japanese words, for instance looking for cider in Matsumoto (a must-visit location for Matsumoto castle among other things), “シードル” (Japanese katakana spelling of cider) and ”松本” gives you far more options than just searching in English.
English Pubs
Another option? Find an English pub. In Yokohama, my favorite is Full Monty. Clive, Kae, and the rest of the staff are amazing and they have a great selection of ciders, as well as local beers and imports. Top it off with Kae’s ever-revolving food selections are to die for.
Cider Festivals in Japan
Lastly, there are cider festivals around Japan so keep that as an open option as well! There is a series of シードルコレクション (Cider Collection) events but look out for smaller events as well. If Japan is good at one thing, it’s definitely festivals.
Have you tried Japan’s cider yet? Or is beer or whiskey more your thing? Let me know in the comments!
Kristen!
お久しぶりです！
Great article and thank you for the shout out, much appreciated 🙂
Wanted to let you know that inCiderJapan is now also a cider importer (and exporter) and has launched Japan’s first cider-specific online shop – JAPAN CIDER MARKET (www.japancidermarket.com). We ship to everyone everywhere in Japan.
Hope you’re doing well, continue with the wonderful work!
This is brilliant, Lee! I’m so excited for your new endeavor and will look into it more 😁.
And thank you so much for the compliment, it means the world to me 💖.