Calbee Co., Ltd. is releasing a new limited-edition flavor of its "Kataage Potato" potato chip brand: "Kataage Potato Grilled Corn Flavor." The product goes on sale at convenience stores nationwide from July 13, 2026 (Monday), followed by all other stores from July 20, 2026 (Monday).
Background
Kataage Potato follows the traditional kettle-fried method said to have originated in the United States in the mid-19th century. It launched as a Hokkaido-only product on November 8, 1993, gradually expanded its sales area, and went nationwide in 2005 — now a long-selling brand with more than 30 years of history. Thickly sliced potatoes are carefully fried to produce a firm, crunchy texture and a potato flavor that builds with every bite. Alongside standard flavors such as Light Salt, Black Pepper, and Grilled Seaweed, the brand has released numerous limited-edition varieties over the years.
Kataage Potato Grilled Corn Flavor uses corn grown in Hokkaido* to recreate the classic taste of grilled corn for summer. The package design was chosen by a vote among members of the "Kataage Potato Support Club," the brand's fan community, and features a "connect-the-two" design by ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai — placing two packages side by side completes a single image, taken from Hokusai's "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji: Toto Asakusa Honganji." Club members shared comments such as "Hokusai makes me think of Mount Fuji," "it has real impact," and "the design feels refreshingly summery," praising the dynamic composition, the iconic depiction of Mount Fuji, and the seasonal color palette.
*Corn powder made from Hokkaido-grown corn is used.
Product Features
- The sweetness of Hokkaido-grown corn combined with the savory aroma of soy sauce recreates the taste of grilled corn, for a refreshing summer flavor.
- The package features Hokusai's "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji: Toto Asakusa Honganji," selected by the Kataage Potato Support Club, with a 10th-anniversary club icon in the upper left marking the product as fan-approved.
About the Featured Artwork
Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji: Toto Asakusa Honganji
The large roof of the main hall at Asakusa Honganji (Higashi Honganji) was such a well-known landmark that it appeared repeatedly in ukiyo-e prints. Katsushika Hokusai placed the massive roof in the foreground and drew roof tilers, kites, and Mount Fuji in miniature to emphasize its scale.
About Katsushika Hokusai
Katsushika Hokusai was one of Japan's foremost ukiyo-e artists, active in the late Edo period. Born in 1760 in Honjo Warigesui (near present-day Hokusai-dori in Sumida City, Tokyo), he spent nearly all of his roughly 90 years in Sumida City until his death in 1849, producing many works that remain celebrated around the world.
Product Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Kataage Potato Grilled Corn Flavor |
| Contents | 60g |
| Price | Open price (approx. ¥190 including tax) |
| Release Date / Sales Area | July 13, 2026 (Mon) — Convenience stores nationwide; July 20, 2026 (Mon) — All other stores nationwide |
*Actual release dates may vary slightly by retailer. Availability may differ by store, and the product may sell out before the season ends.
Kataage Potato website: https://www.calbee.co.jp/kataage/
Kataage Potato Support Club Marks 10 Years
The Kataage Potato Support Club launched in July 2016 and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Many co-created products have come out of the club's collaboration with fans, and more anniversary projects are planned throughout the year.
10th anniversary site: https://www.calbee.co.jp/kataage/ouenbu10th/
About the Kataage Potato Support Club
"We love Kataage Potato and want to help spread the word!" The Kataage Potato Support Club is a fan community that brings together Kataage Potato fans from across Japan. It has around 60,000 members (as of May 2026), with active exchanges taking place among fans. The club runs projects such as advance tastings of new products and product co-creation. For details, visit the website.
Kataage Potato Support Club website: https://kataage-ouenbu.calbee.jp/
Hokusai-Themed "Kataage Potato" Campaign 2026
Calbee's PR team is running a giveaway on its official X account (@calbee_PR), with prizes for 100 winners in total.
Entry period: July 20, 2026 (Monday), 12:00 PM to July 26, 2026 (Sunday), 11:59 PM
How to enter:
- Standard entry: Follow the account and repost
- Double-chance entry: Follow the account and quote-post with the hashtag "#堅あげポテト北斎パッケージ"
Prizes:
- Standard (85 winners): One case (12 bags) of Kataage Potato Grilled Corn Flavor
- Double-chance (15 winners): A Hokusai-themed Kataage Potato set, including:
- One case (12 bags) of Kataage Potato Grilled Corn Flavor
- Sumida Hokusai Museum original letter paper featuring Hokusai's "三体画譜" and "Shingata Komoncho" (partial designs)
- Sumida Hokusai Museum original pin badge featuring Hokusai's "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji: The Great Wave off Kanagawa"
- Sumida Hokusai Museum original A5 clear file featuring Hokusai's "Peony and Butterfly"
- Sumida Hokusai Museum original "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" postcard featuring "Rainstorm Beneath the Summit"
- A pair of tickets to the special exhibition "Best of the Sumida Hokusai Museum: The Sumida River's Twin Banks and Masterpieces," part of the Sumida Five Colors Arts Festival, marking the museum's 10th anniversary
