Mitsuya Cider Day (Mitsuya Saidā no Hi)

What Is Mitsuya Cider Day?

Every year on March 28, Japan celebrates "Mitsuya Cider Day," established by Asahi Soft Drinks Co. The date comes from a wordplay on "mi (3) tsu (2) ya (8)" — sounding like "Mitsuya." The brand traces its roots to 1884, when natural carbonated water from the Hirano mineral spring in Tada Village, Hyogo Prefecture (now part of Kawanishi City), began to be produced and sold as "Hirano Water." The day celebrates one of Japan's longest-running and most beloved carbonated soft drink brands, with a history spanning more than 140 years.

140 Years of Quality and History

The story of Mitsuya Cider mirrors the history of carbonated drinks in Japan itself.

• Born from a natural spring: It is said to have begun in 1881, when British chemist William Gowland examined the Hirano spring and judged it ideal for drinking. "Hirano Water" was adopted for use by the Imperial Household in 1897, and in 1907 "Mitsuya-jirushi Hirano Champagne Cider" — Hirano Water with added cider flavoring imported from Britain — went on sale.
• The legend behind the name "Mitsuya": According to a local legend, the Heian-period warrior Minamoto no Mitsunaka shot an arrow to decide where to settle, and it landed in Tada. In the Meiji era, the water was named "Mitsuya Hirano Water" after this tale, and the arrow-feather mark became the brand's symbol.

From "Champagne Cider" to "Mitsuya Cider"

The product went through several changes before arriving at its current name.

• A changing name: "Mitsuya Champagne Cider" went on sale in 1909 and kept that name well into the postwar years. After French objections to the use of the word "champagne," it was renamed "Mitsuya Cider" in 1968.
• A flavor renewal: In 2004 the flavorings were switched to ones from natural sources and the water to 100% natural water, and sales rose. The brand has also kept its strong carbonation rather than following the trend toward lightly carbonated drinks.

Fun Facts About Mitsuya Cider

• "Cider" vs. "ramune": There's no strict difference in contents between the two. Historically, drinks in crown-capped bottles were called "cider," while those in marble-stoppered bottles were called "ramune."
• A favorite of a great novelist: Its predecessor, Hirano Water, is said to have been a favorite of novelist Natsume Soseki, and it appears in his novel "Kojin" and his essay "Omoidasu Koto nado."
• First zero-calorie version: In 2009, the brand released its first zero-calorie, zero-sugar product, "Mitsuya Cider All Zero."
• Ever-evolving flavors: Beyond the classic clear cider, countless variations using regional fruits have been released over the brand's 140-year history, continually attracting new fans.
• Environmental consciousness: As packaging has shifted from bottles to cans to PET bottles over the years, the brand has also adopted label-free bottles and other sustainable practices.

Ideas for Enjoying Mitsuya Cider Day

• Pour a well-chilled Mitsuya Cider into a glass, listen to the fizz rise, and savor that first refreshing sip
• To mark March 28, create your own fruit punch by adding cut fruit or jelly to Mitsuya Cider for a custom twist
• Reflect on the surprise the pioneers must have felt discovering this natural spring over 140 years ago, and imagine the modern, fashionable café culture of the Meiji era while exploring what makes the flavor so timeless
• Take a look at the arrow-feather mark on the label, think of the legend behind the name, and let it give your own motivation a refreshing "fizz"

Sparkling Bubbles and Crystal-Clear Flavor Bring You Energy and Refreshment

March 28 is a day to share in the "clear pride" that has refreshed generations of Japanese people from the Meiji era to today. The endless stream of bubbles rising in the glass also symbolizes a brand that has never stopped evolving. That refreshing aroma with every sip gives us both "unchanging reassurance" and "new surprises," no matter how the times change. Just like Mitsuya Cider, may you move through your day with clarity, sincerity, and a sparkling burst of energy.