Shocking news has arrived in the world of Japanese chocolate snacks. On February 10, 2026, the famous “Kinoko no Yama” (Mushroom Mountain) and “Takenoko no Sato” (Bamboo Shoot Village) will release new products in collaboration with world-class chefs at convenience stores across Japan.
This is not just a new product launch. These are legendary items rumored to have “sold out in the blink of an eye” during their pre-sale at a Valentine’s Day event in Nagoya due to overwhelming popularity.
If you thought, “It’s just a chocolate snack, isn’t it?” you need to update your perception today. Appearing this time are “Kinoko no Yama” supervised by Chef Takao Yamamoto of Club Harie, and “Takenoko no Sato” supervised by Chef Takeshi Shibata of chez Shibata.
“Kinoko no Yama” is a mushroom-shaped chocolate snack, and “Takenoko no Sato” is a bamboo shoot-shaped chocolate snack. In Japan, there is a culture called the “Kinoko-Takenoko War,” where consumers divide into “Kinoko Faction” and “Takenoko Faction” to debate which is more delicious. However, this collaboration transcends such conflicts and can truly be called a work of art in the sweets world.
When they were unveiled in advance at “Amour du Chocolat,” one of Japan’s largest chocolate festivals held at JR Nagoya Takashimaya starting January 16, 2026, a fierce battle for acquisition unfolded. Now, these talked-about masterpieces will be available at convenience stores and supermarkets near where you are staying.
The Phenomenon in Nagoya: “Selling 2 Every Minute”
First, let me convey the enthusiasm surrounding just how much attention this collaboration is getting. The stage is JR Nagoya Takashimaya. “Amour du Chocolat” is a huge event where chocolate lovers gather from all over Japan, and that is where the incident occurred.
At the venue, not only were the nationwide release versions (small bags) sold, but surprisingly, “history’s most premium” collaboration products were also available: “Kinoko no Yama” at 1,080 yen (approx. 7-8 USD) per piece, and “Takenoko no Sato” at 864 yen (approx. 5-6 USD) per piece. That is the price for just one piece. A single chocolate costing more than a fast-food set meal.
However, as soon as the store opened, long lines formed at both booths. The crowd was so great that a purchase limit per person was imposed, but the momentum did not stop.
According to records, products flew off the shelves at an astonishing pace of “more than 2 per minute.” As a result, both stores sold out completely by early afternoon. There were many customers who lamented, “I came all the way here, but couldn’t buy it.” It is a “phantom collaboration” that has driven people into a frenzy.
It is said that Chef Yamamoto jokingly declared in his greeting on the first day, “From today, Chef Shibata is my rival, so I won’t speak to him,” and perhaps that level of determination is reflected in the products.
Such hard-to-get items will be sold nationwide in Japan for a limited time starting Tuesday, February 10, 2026. If you see them, we recommend purchasing them immediately.
Kinoko no Yama × Club Harie: Hazelnut Praline & Matcha
Now, let’s take a close look at the contents of the products. First up is “Kinoko no Yama.” The partner is Grand Chef Takao Yamamoto of “Club Harie,” famous for its Baumkuchen.
The product name is “Kinoko no Yama × Club Harie Hazelnut Praline & Matcha.” A sense of luxury drifts from the package itself.
The greatest feature of this product lies in the delicate two-layer structure of the chocolate part. Based on the cacao-rich chocolate inherent to “Kinoko no Yama,” it is layered with a special chocolate combining hazelnut praline and Matcha (Green Tea).
Imagine the moment when the richness of fragrant hazelnuts and the bittersweet yet profound aroma of matcha melt together in your mouth. Furthermore, the cracker stem has been arranged with a cocoa flavor, enhancing the sense of unity with the chocolate.
The surprises don’t stop there. Remarkably, the chocolate contains “crushed candy.” The “crunchy” texture accents every bite, making it impossible to stop eating. It is a dangerously delicious treat where your hand unconsciously reaches for the bag saying, “Just one more, just one more.”
- Release Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
- Price: Open Price (Set slightly higher than usual)
- Sales Area: Nationwide Japan
- Content: 64g
- Energy (per box): 363kcal
- Protein: 4.2g
- Fat: 22.7g
- Carbohydrates: 36.0g
- Salt Equivalent: 0.24g
Looking at the ingredients, hazelnut praline makes up 2% of the product, and crushed candy 1%. This exquisite balance is the skill of a master.
Takenoko no Sato × chez Shibata: Yuzu Scented Hazelnut Praline
Next, for the “Takenoko no Sato” faction, thank you for waiting. This is a collaboration with Executive Chef Takeshi Shibata of “chez Shibata,” who is based in Japan’s Tokai area but active globally.
The product name is “Takenoko no Sato × chez Shibata Yuzu Scented Hazelnut Praline.” This is also very elaborately made.
The chocolate part is, of course, a two-layer structure. It combines “Takenoko no Sato’s” characteristic cacao-rich chocolate with a chocolate blending hazelnut praline and “Yuzu” (Japanese Citrus).
By adding the refreshing acidity and aroma of Yuzu to the richness of hazelnuts, the taste instantly becomes a sophisticated “Japanese Modern” flavor.
And here is the important part. “Lorraine Rock Salt” is incorporated into both the chocolate and the cookie parts. Because the sharp salty taste works amidst the sweetness, the flavor tightens up, and the aftertaste is surprisingly clean. It is an addictive taste that is irresistible for those who like “Sweet and Salty” flavors. It can be said to be a piece so perfect that making detailed comparisons about “difference in chocolate” or “amount of chocolate” seems meaningless.
- Release Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
- Price: Open Price
- Sales Area: Nationwide Japan
- Content: 61g
- Energy (per box): 340kcal
- Protein: 3.8g
- Fat: 21.0g
- Carbohydrates: 34.2g
- Salt Equivalent: 0.34g
This uses 1% hazelnut praline, 0.2% yuzu juice (raw equivalent), and 0.2% Lorraine rock salt. You can feel the aesthetic of subtraction that maximizes the individuality of the ingredients.
About the Two Chefs Captivating the World
Why is this collaboration attracting so much attention? It is because the two supervising chefs are literally “world-class.” Here are their profiles.
Mr. Takao Yamamoto (President and Grand Chef, Club Harie Co., Ltd.) Born in 1972 at the long-established Japanese confectionery shop “Taneya” in Shiga Prefecture. After training in Kamakura, he became an executive at Club Harie and currently develops the Baumkuchen specialty store “B-studio” and others. He is not only a business owner but also a talented pâtissier. He has a brilliant track record, including winning the WPTC (World Pastry Team Championship) held in the USA in 2010 as captain of Team Japan, and finishing as runner-up in the “Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie” in 2017.
Mr. Takeshi Shibata (Executive Chef, Au Delice de Shibata Inc.) Chef Shibata is a pâtissier who is actively expanding stores overseas while being based in the Tokai area. He serves as an ambassador for the French chocolate manufacturer “CÉMOI” and has opened a store at the “Salon du Chocolat” in Paris, with his skills being recognized even in France, the home of sweets. As one of only three ambassadors in the world, he is supported by many chocolate lovers.
With such masters facing Japan’s national snacks in earnest, there is no way it wouldn’t be delicious. Even gourmets who don’t usually eat convenience store snacks should try it this time.
If in Doubt, Ask AI! “KINOTAKE MOTHER” Scientifically Analyzes “Which Faction?”
This collaboration product is perfect as a souvenir from Japan. The price is affordable, and it’s a great conversation starter.
However, there is one problem. The ultimate difficult question: “Is the recipient a Kinoko faction or a Takenoko faction?” If you make a mistake here, the gift might be ruined. It’s even more complicated if they used to be part of the “Suginoko Mura” (Village of Cedar Children) faction, another snack that is no longer sold.
That is where you want to use the AI judgment site ” Which Faction Judgment AI KINOTAKE MOTHER 🇯🇵 “.
This AI is not just a joke site. It utilizes “Which Faction Data (DD)” constructed from approximately 1.67 million patterns of facial data and preference data from hundreds of Meiji employees. Eliminating biases from upbringing and region, simply by taking a photo of a face, it objectively determines your latent preference, in other words, “which faction you really are.”
It was reportedly developed jointly with a team involved in the pavilions for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and its accuracy is attracting attention within the industry. Dramas may be born where “I lived my life thinking I was a Kinoko faction, but the AI determined I was a Takenoko faction.”
Before giving the gift, secretly (or openly) judge the partner’s photo and give the one they will be more pleased with. Being able to use it in such a smart way is also the fun part of this campaign.
Miraculous Revival! “Kinoko no Yama Wireless Earphones” Return
And there is one more piece of news you cannot miss. The “Kinoko no Yama Wireless Earphones Campaign,” which was held in 2025 and became a huge topic mainly on social media, is back as a second edition!
These are wireless earphones with such incredible impact that they look like nothing other than “Kinoko no Yama stuck in your ears.” Not only are they visually funny, but they are high-performance specs with a simultaneous translation function, leading to a flood of applications last time. The campaign period this time is from today, Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to Friday, February 27.
This time, the number of winners has increased by 55 from last time, totaling 555 winners. The string of “5s” seems lucky.
The application method involves uploading receipts from purchasing eligible products to collect stickers. It seems that linking your Meiji Member ID and LINE will increase your chances of winning, so those who couldn’t get them last time, and those who are learning about this for the first time, please definitely take on the challenge. This is not the time to be debating “which is more popular”; this is a unique item that all of humanity should aim for.
- Campaign Period: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 – Friday, February 27
- Receipt Upload Deadline: Until Friday, February 20
- Prizes: Kinoko no Yama Wireless Earphones (with simultaneous translation function) for 555 people
- How to Apply: Collect 15 stickers from receipts of eligible product purchases to apply
- Campaign Site🇯🇵
Rush to Convenience Stores on February 10!
How was it? The legendary collaboration products that sold out instantly at Japan’s largest chocolate festival will finally be available in familiar places. “Kinoko no Yama × Club Harie” and “Takenoko no Sato × chez Shibata.” Both are masterpieces filled with the chefs’ dedication that you can only taste now.
The price is open, but the value is priceless. It is perfect for gifts for friends, and above all, a reward for yourself.
The release date is Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Since an explosion in popularity is expected, we recommend checking stores on the release day if you are interested. Perhaps the legend of “instant sell-out” will be repeated in your city too.
Now, which one will you choose? Or will you let the AI decide for you?
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