Befco (株式会社栗山米菓), the maker of popular rice snacks such as "Bakauke," "Seto Shio," and "Hoshi Tabeyo," is joining forces with Achi Village Tourism Bureau (株式会社阿智昼神観光局) in Achi Village, Nagano Prefecture — known for having Japan's best stargazing skies — for a special collaboration running from July 3 to September 30, 2026.
The "Hoshi Tabeyo × Star Village ACHI Collaboration" brings together the 40th anniversary of Hoshi Tabeyo, a star-shaped soft rice cracker first launched in 1986, and Achi Village, which was ranked No. 1 as the "most suitable place for stargazing" by the Ministry of the Environment's National Stargazing Continuous Survey (2006). Both connected by the theme of "stars," the partnership offers a limited-edition shop, original goods, collaboration cafe menus, and hotel amenities throughout the event period.
Limited-Time Hoshi Tabeyo × Star Village ACHI Pop-Up Shop
Period: July 3 (Friday) – September 30 (Wednesday), 2026
The shop carries Achi Village-exclusive original packaging of "Hoshi Tabeyo," the 40th anniversary new packaging lineup, and other Befco products including "Bakauke" and "Seto Shio." Exclusive "Hoshi Tabeyo × Star Village ACHI" original merchandise is also available, and the adjoining cafe serves original menus using Hoshi Tabeyo.
Achi Village-exclusive Hoshi Tabeyo Mild Salt Flavor (14-piece pack) — image is for illustrative purposes.
Venue:
SHOP & CAFÉ & about HIRUGAMI Hirugami Kiwosk
347-1 Chisato, Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture (〒395-0304)
Hours: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM (Cafe last order 4:30 PM)
Closed: Every Thursday
Official website: https://hirugami-kiwosk.com
Original Merchandise
A lineup of Hoshi Tabeyo × Star Village ACHI exclusive goods is available at the shop.
Hoshi Tabeyo Postcard — ¥150 (tax included)
Hoshi Tabeyo Sticker — ¥350 (tax included)
Hoshi Tabeyo Can Badge — ¥400 (tax included)
Hoshi Tabeyo Acrylic Keychain — ¥500 (tax included)
Original Cafe Menu
The adjoining cafe at Hirugami Kiwosk offers collaboration dishes during the event period:
- Hoshi Tabeyo An-butter Sand — ¥380 (tax included)
- Achi Village Specialty Star-shaped Canapé — ¥450 (tax included)
- Hoshihoshi Ice Cream — ¥550 (tax included)
- Hoshihoshi Chilled Corn Soup — ¥550 (tax included)
- Let's All Eat Together Star Dip — ¥650 (tax included)
Collaboration with Achi Village Accommodation
During the event period, "Hoshi Tabeyo" will be placed in guest rooms at participating ryokan and hotels in Achi Village as a complimentary tea-time snack.
Period: July 3 (Friday) – September 30 (Wednesday), 2026
Available while supplies last. Some properties are excluded.
Hoshi Tabeyo New Character "Hoshihoshi" Photo AR
QR codes placed at the collaboration shop and participating hotels in Achi Village let visitors enjoy a Photo AR experience on their smartphones. Scanning the code brings "Hoshihoshi," the new character for Hoshi Tabeyo, into the camera view, allowing visitors to take commemorative photos with Hoshihoshi against the backdrop of the starry sky and scenic Achi Village.
"Hoshi Tabeyo 40th Thank You Campaign" Underway
In celebration of Hoshi Tabeyo's 40th anniversary, the "Hoshi Tabeyo 40th Thank You Campaign" is running from April 1, 2026. Purchase qualifying products, submit proof of purchase via the campaign site or by postcard, and enter a sweepstakes for star-themed prizes.
Campaign Period: April 1, 2026 (10:00 AM) – July 31, 2026 (11:59 PM)
Eligible Products: 20-piece Hoshi Tabeyo (Salt Flavor), N Hoshi Tabeyo 3-Variety Assortment
Prizes:
- Course A (purchases of ¥2,500 or more, tax included): Pair accommodations at ユルイの宿恵山 in Hirugami Onsen, Achi Village, Nagano Prefecture (Japan's best stargazing destination) + Pair tickets to the 天空の楽園ナイトツアー — 5 pairs (10 winners)
- Course B (purchases of ¥1,000 or more, tax included): Pair tickets to the 天空の楽園ナイトツアー in Achi Village — 10 pairs (20 winners)
- Course C (purchases of ¥500 or more, tax included): Character goods set — 300 winners
- W-Chance (web entry only): QUO Card Pay (¥500 value) — 50 winners
Campaign site: https://www.befco.jp/campaign/cp_hoshi_40th/
About Hoshi Tabeyo
Hoshi Tabeyo is a star-shaped soft salad rice cracker first launched in 1986. It contains no preservatives, coloring, or artificial flavors, and its light, crispy texture makes it a beloved snack for all ages.
Marking its 40th anniversary in 2026, packaging began rolling out in a refreshed design from April of that year. A new mascot character, "Hoshihoshi," was created alongside the packaging renewal. Hoshihoshi features a fluffy appearance and was designed by Takaharu Shimizu, the art director behind the popular TV Tokyo program "シナぷしゅ" for infants and toddlers.
Hoshihoshi Character Profile
A star-shaped creature that appeared out of nowhere. Fluffy and round. Makes a crunchy sound when walking. Dislikes being alone and is always searching for someone. Can only say "ho" and "shi," but loves to talk.
About Achi Village, Nagano Prefecture
Located at the southern tip of Nagano Prefecture, Achi Village is a quiet mountain village known for Hirugami Onsen and the Hanamomo no Sato flower peach blossoms. Hirugami Onsen, which began flowing in 1973, is an alkaline simple sulfur spring with a pH of 9.7 — its silky, smooth water is often called a "beauty spring."
The village was ranked No. 1 as "most suitable place for stargazing" in the Ministry of the Environment's National Stargazing Continuous Survey (2006), and Star Village ACHI Visitor Promotion Council was established in 2012 to leverage those skies for regional tourism. Since August 2012, the "天空の楽園 日本一の星空ナイトツアー" (Tengoku no Rakuen Japan's Best Stargazing Night Tour) has been held, and since October 2014, the "雲海＆星空 天空の楽園 雲海Harbor" event has attracted a cumulative total of over 1.2 million visitors through March 2025.
