From the Japanese confectionery maker Lotte comes a new release from the historic “Koume” brand. Starting Tuesday, February 10, 2026, “Koume Gummy” will be available for pre-sale at convenience stores (Konbini) and station kiosks nationwide in Japan.
“Koume” is an iconic Japanese candy brand that has been loved across three eras: Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa. Its worldview has now been reconstructed in the form of “Gummy Candy,” which has exploded in popularity in Japan in recent years. This is not merely the addition of a new flavor. From its shape to its packaging, it is a product packed with Japanese aesthetic sense and playfulness.
Basic Information: Japanese Trends Start at the Konbini
First, let’s check the basic specifications of this new product. In Japan, convenience stores are hubs for the latest trends, and many new products are released there first.
- Product Name: Koume Gummy
- Release Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
- Pre-sale: Convenience stores and station kiosks nationwide in Japan
- General Sale: Expanding to all stores from Tuesday, April 7, 2026
- Content: 49g (approx. 1.7 oz)
- Price: Open price (Estimated price around 170 yen / approx. $1.15 USD)
Authentic Japanese Taste: Using Nanko-ume from Wakayama
The quality of the taste in this gummy is also very high. The ingredients use “Nanko-ume from Wakayama” (Wakayama Ken-san Nanko-ume), considered the highest grade of plum variety in Japan. The fruit juice content is 3% (converted to fresh fruit juice).
The characteristic of the “Koume” brand is its “sweet and sour” (kyun-to sweet and sour) flavor. While the original hard candy allows the flavor to spread slowly in the mouth, this gummy fills your mouth with plum flavor the moment you chew. It is a sourness perfect for a refresh during work or study breaks.
Edible Art: Let’s Play with Petal-Shaped Gummies
The greatest feature of “Koume Gummy” is its shape. Each gummy grain is shaped like a “plum petal.”
There are two colors: red and yellow. By combining these, you can create your own “plum blossom” on your table. This gimmick, which offers visual enjoyment beyond just eating, makes it photogenic and perfect for sharing on social media.
Find Your Luck: The Rare “Letter” Shaped Gummy
Japanese snacks sometimes hide “secret items.” This product also occasionally contains a special shaped gummy different from the standard “petal shape.”
It is a gummy in the “shape of a letter.” This imagines the letter that the character Koume-chan wrote to express her feelings to her love, “Makoto-san.” If this is in your bag, you are very lucky. When sharing with friends, it will surely spark conversations like, “Did you get a letter?”
Package Design Announcing the Arrival of Spring
The theme of the package design is “Haru Ichiban.” This refers to the first strong south wind of the year that heralds the arrival of spring. The design depicts plum petals dancing in the wind.
There are three designs in total. Each features the main character, Koume-chan, in a different Kimono color. The sight of these lined up on Konbini shelves makes Japanese consumers feel the spring season.
Born in 1974: History of the “Koume” Brand
Here, let me explain a bit of the background of the “Koume” brand. Knowing this will help you understand the cultural significance of this gummy more deeply.
Over 50 Years of Sour Shock
“Koume” was born in 1974. At that time, “sweet things” were the norm in the Japanese candy market. However, “Koume” appeared with a surprising sourness as a plum flavor, shocking the market.
The fusion of this “Ume impact” and the worldview of “sweet and sour First Love” is the brand’s uniqueness. The original candy is a small size of about 15mm in diameter. This was an elegant design consideration so that a woman’s cheek would not bulge too much when holding it in her mouth.
A 30-Second Love Story and Character
The character “Koume-chan” is the symbol of this brand. She is a 15-year-old girl wearing a Kimono. TV commercials depicted her faint feelings of love, unfolding stories like short movies.
She has appeared on the package since 1981. Although the illustration of her profile has evolved with the times, her neat and single-minded expression remains unchanged. Because it deals with the universal theme of “feelings of love,” this brand has been cherished by three generations of parents and children in Japan.
This “Koume Gummy” also inherits this history. Koume-chan’s introduction is published on the back of the package. Also, you can read her story on the official website.
https://www.lotte.co.jp/products/brand/koume/ 🇯🇵
A Japanese Taste Transcending Generations
The release date of February 10 is just before Valentine’s Day (February 14) in Japan. In Japan, there is a custom of giving chocolates and sweets on Valentine’s Day. This product, with its theme of “Love,” is perfect for a casual gift for friends or a reward for yourself.
By appearing in the modern style of a gummy, this brand that has continued since 1974 can be enjoyed by both past fans and new fans together. If you are in Japan during this time, please look for the red and yellow petals at a convenience store.
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