Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan's top producer of hoshiimo (dried sweet potatoes) with about 90% of the national share, is opening a pop-up store, "Hoshiimo Dappe." (ほしいもだっぺ。), at KITTE Osaka (Umeda, Osaka) from Tuesday, December 1, 2026 to Sunday, January 31, 2027. The store is a POP UP STORE of the prefecture's antenna shop "IBARAKI sense" and is opening at KITTE Osaka for the first time.
About 100 Kinds of Hoshiimo Plus Local Specialties
The store features Ibaraki hoshiimo, which come into season in winter, in about 100 kinds. The lineup includes varieties such as Beni Haruka (べにはるか) and Silk Sweet (シルクスイート), as well as styles such as hira-boshi (平干し) and maru-boshi (丸干し), so visitors can compare differences in sweetness and texture and choose the ones they like.
Local specialties such as natto and Japanese sake are also on sale, giving visitors a chance to discover Ibaraki's wide range of appeal through hoshiimo.
"Kind-Hearted Yankee Staff" Appear for the First Six Days
As a project to introduce a unique side of Ibaraki, the store focuses on the "yankee" (ヤンキー) culture rooted in the prefecture. In a survey conducted by the prefecture of 1,000 men and women in their 20s to 60s living in Kansai, Osaka Prefecture ranked first in Kansai and Ibaraki Prefecture ranked first in Kanto as "the prefecture that comes to mind first when thinking of yankee."
Building on this result and the shared "No. 1 yankee image in both east and west" (東西ヤンキーイメージNo.1), "kind-hearted yankee staff" (心優しいヤンキー店員) will appear for six days only, from December 1 to 6, right after the opening. They look a little intimidating but deeply love Ibaraki, and the gap between their appearance and their customer service will liven up the storefront.
Illustration is for reference only.
Store Information
- Store name: "Hoshiimo Dappe." (ほしいもだっぺ。), a POP UP STORE of Ibaraki Prefecture's antenna shop "IBARAKI sense"
- Period: Tuesday, December 1, 2026 to Sunday, January 31, 2027 (closed on Friday, January 1)
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Venue: Giftpad space, 2F KITTE Osaka (3-2-2 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka)
- Products: Ibaraki hoshiimo, natto, potato sweets (芋菓子), Japanese sake, snacks to go with drinks (おつまみ), and more
- Organizer: Ibaraki Prefecture Sales Strategy Department, Sales Planning Division (茨城県営業戦略部営業企画課)
Featured Products and Opening Events
National Hoshiimo Grand Prix 2026 Winner: Osuga Farm "Beni Haruka Hira-boshi"
The National Hoshiimo Grand Prix (全国ほしいもグランプリ) is a competition that decides the best in Japan among hira-boshi Beni Haruka submitted from across the country. In 2026, Osuga Farm (オオスガファーム) of Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture won the Grand Prix. Producers nationwide competed, and visitors can enjoy the taste of the hoshiimo chosen as Japan's best at the store.
Free Hoshiimo for the First 100 Visitors Each Day, December 1 to 6
To celebrate the opening, Ibaraki hoshiimo will be given to the first 100 visitors each day for six days, from Tuesday, December 1 to Sunday, December 6. The gift can be received whether or not the visitor makes a purchase.
Ibaraki Is the "Hoshiimo Kingdom" With About 90% of the National Share, but Awareness in Kansai Is Under 10%
Only 8.8% Associate Ibaraki With Hoshiimo
In the survey of 1,000 men and women in their 20s to 60s living in Kansai conducted by Ibaraki Prefecture, respondents were asked what comes to mind when they think of Ibaraki. "Natto" was the answer of more than half, at 53.1%, ranking first by a wide margin. Only 8.8% answered "hoshiimo." The result shows that the image of hoshiimo as an Ibaraki product has not yet taken hold sufficiently in Kansai.
81% of Kansai Residents Did Not Know Ibaraki Ranks First in Hoshiimo Share
The same survey found that 81% of Kansai residents answered that they did not know Ibaraki has the No. 1 national share (about 90%) of hoshiimo.
For this reason, Ibaraki Prefecture is holding the event to share the appeal of Ibaraki's food with people in the Kansai area, together with the deliciousness of hoshiimo, a healthy natural sweet.
Survey overview
- Method: Conducted using "Freeasy" (フリージー)
- Survey period: Monday, October 5, 2026
- Respondents: Men and women in their 20s to 60s living in Kansai (Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, and Wakayama)
- Number of respondents: 1,000
Ibaraki, Japan's Top Hoshiimo-Producing Prefecture
Ibaraki accounts for about 90% of Japan's hoshiimo.
Most of it is produced in Hitachinaka City, Tokai Village, and Naka City along the Pacific coast. Long stretches of clear winter weather and sea breezes suited hoshiimo making, and the area became a major production center.
Known for its natural sweetness, hoshiimo has moved beyond its traditional image as a preserved food and now attracts attention as a healthy, easy, and delicious natural sweet that is high in dietary fiber.
