The 9th Fuji Cider Challenge 2025
WELCOME!
Over the last 10 years, the Japan market (and indeed the international market) has witnessed an astonishing explosion in the general consumer demand for cider, and in the number of cider brands (both domestic and international) featured in Japan.
We firmly expect that this trend will continue, and that cider will continue to play an increasingly important role in this sophisticated and trend-setting market place.
We believe there is room for every style of cider – sweet or dry, aged or recently fermented, still or sparkling.
Accordingly, we have decided to organise our very first Fuji Cider Challenge in 2017, to coincide with the 20th anniversary of our Japan Wine Challenge – the latter is seen as quite simply THE BEST wine competition in Japan, and is the oldest and most prestigious wine competition in Asia.
Our results will be posted on our website, and winning ciders will be promoted to Japanese trade and consumer through a variety of high-profile events. We will focus particular attention on making sure that importers in Japan are aware of quality award winning ciders which do not yet have representation in Japan.
2025 COMPETITION OPEN FOR ENTRIES!
JUDGING: Monday 22nd September
Venue: Daiichi Hotel Ryogoku
Judges: Christ Martin, Katsuyuki Tanaka, Eduardo Dingler, Aiko Yazawa, Tsuyoshi Takemura and top alcoholic beverage professionals from Japan and internationally.
ENTRY DEADLINE: Wednesday 10th September
Please register through the Entry Form and Cider Form.
Entry Fee: 1-5 ciders: 31,000 yen (or €250/$280)/ more than 6 ciders: 21,000 yen (or €180/$200)
SPECIAL OFFER: Enter 4 ciders and get 1 additional free entry
SAMPLE DELIVERY: Between Thursday 1st May and Wednesday 17th September
If you wish to send your samples before 1st May please send to our office and be sure to inform us beforehand.
Sample Submission: Equivalent of 6 x 330-375 ml bottles (or 4 x 500 ml or 4 x 750 ml) per Cider
JUDGES
CATEGORIES
BANK DETAILS
SENDING CIDER SAMPLES
Delivery Address:
Please send ciders via courier between Thursday 1st May and Wednesday 17th September to our warehouse:
Mitsubishi Logistics Corporation Tokyo Branch OHI Office
Fuji Cider Challenge 2025
4-3-10-B4F Tokai, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-0001 JAPAN
Tel. +81.3.5825.9177
- Please kindly put the Outer Carton Label on the outside of all wine boxes.
- If you have a local distributor / agent, you may wish to arrange with them to deliver the wines ex-Japan stock (remember to complete the form stating you have done this) by forwarding your Outer Carton Label or asking your agent to get in contact with the Japan Wine Challenge.
- Please also mark on each case of wine “Samples – No commercial value”.
- All duty, carriage, clearance, storage charges and taxes payable on wines must be pre-paid for by the Submitter. Failure to pay these duties will result in your wines not being entered.
- Please complete the courier documentation carefully, remembering to agree on DDP term – tick the appropriate duty and prepaid freight charges .
RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT
Friday 24th October on “Results” section
Digital Certificates
Will be sent to the email address around December 2025 -January 2026
Benefits of Fuji Cider Challenge Awards:
- Free-to-download medal data online
- Results announced on website, to our 10,000+ database including Embassies, media, importers, and leading sales outlets etc.
Fuji Cider Challenge 2024 Results
The 8th Fuji Cider Challenge was held on Thursday 29th August 2024 at Daiichi Hotel Ryogoku.
A total of over 45 ciders were entered and judged by a panel of leading cider/wine professionals from Japan and international.
6 Trophy medals were awarded, 8 Gold medals, 7 Silver medals, and 9 Bronze medals.
This reflects the outstanding quality of the ciders entered.
The Trophy Awards Ceremony for the Fuji Cider Challenge 2024 will take place on Friday 7th February 2025 at Conrad Tokyo Hotel.
Click HERE for more details and application form.
＊The Marking System of Fuji Cider Challenge
We adopt a 20 point scale to allocate Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
Trophy winning ciders are chosen from the Gold Medal ciders.
– Ciders that receive 18.0 – 20.00 get a Gold Medal
– Ciders that receive 17.0 – 17.5 get a Silver Medal
– Ciders that receive 15.5 – 16.5 get a Bronze Medal
＊ Please note that wines that are not listed in the results did not receive any award.
＊ Results for all the entries will be sent to each participant by email along with digital award certificates.
