Mitsuya Craft Cola from Asahi Soft Drinks

Following the Suntory Craft Boss PET-bottled coffee, I bought another “craft” thing today for refreshment from a vending machine outside on my way home from work.

Here in Japan, “craft” soft drinks have become a fad, and Craft Cola has been recently in the spotlight since Asahi Soft Drinks put theirs on the market in January of this year (2022) from its prestigious Mitsuya brand.

Mitsuya Craft Cola 

Japanese craft cola has its roots in Caleb’s Kola, released by PepsiCo in 2018.

In the same year, Japan’s first craft cola, Iyoshi Cola and Tomo Cola debuted, and in 2021, Umami Cola got attention for its healthful elements.

And this year, one of Japan’s top beverage companies, Asahi Soft Drinks, finally entered the market, which is why craft cola has become a thing in Japan.

Although the cola called craft cola is generally made by simmering various spices, herbs, and citrus fruits together and sweetened with sugars, 

(as with the Mitsuya Cider soda pop) this Craft Cola (Price: 110 yen) adopts a non-heating production method and brings out the best from the ingredients, including eight carefully-selected secret spices. 

Nonetheless, as the punch of spices isn’t strong enough, there are pros and cons. But to me, the cola drink tastes like a Dagashi, and I felt a sense of affinity, though it is a little too sweet.

Ingredients/Nutrition Facts

Nutritional Values

(Reference page: Wikipedia クラフトコーラ )