Kanetetsu Delica Foods Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture; President: Hiroshi Murakami), which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in March 2026, is strengthening the significant renewal and appeal of its popular product "Hobo Kani®" in conjunction with "Hobo Kani® Day" (April 1st), which is certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association.

This spring, the product underwent a major renewal, further pursuing a "crab-like" sensation. We are communicating its appeal through stores and social media, delivering a "surprising Hobo Kani experience" to more people.

"Hobo Kani® Day" is a commemorative day certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association, based on the desire for both those who play a trick and those who are tricked to enjoy a "playful, gentle lie" through the "Hobo Series" of flavored kamaboko that tastes just like the real thing, in connection with April Fool's Day on April 1st.

"Hobo Kani® Day" and "100th Anniversary" Commemorative SNS Campaigns

To commemorate "Hobo Kani® Day" and the company's 100th anniversary, Kanetetsu is running two campaigns on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

【Campaign ①】

April 1st is "Hobo Kani® Day" Campaign

This is an interactive SNS campaign where participants can enjoy a spot-the-difference quiz based on the "Hobo Kani® Day" limited news: "Kanetetsu changes its company name to 'Kanitetsu'!"

【Prize Details】

・100th Anniversary Ballpoint Pen with Puzzle (Not for sale)

・Hobo Kani® exclusive applicator (A special tool for enjoying Hobo Kani® in shabu-shabu / Not for sale)

・Assortment of Hobo Series products *The above 3-item set will be presented to 30 winners selected by lottery.

【Application Period】

April 1st (Wed), 2026 ～ April 12th (Sun), 2026 until 23:59

【Eligibility and How to Apply】

1) Follow Kanetetsu's official account (@kanetetsu_1926) on X (formerly Twitter).

2) Quote repost the campaign target post, entering the quiz answer.

3) Winners will be contacted via X Direct Message (DM).

【Campaign ②】

Pure Gold Tetchan Present Campaign

This is a special project to present a one-of-a-kind pure gold "Tetchan" to celebrate both the 100th anniversary and "Hobo Kani® Day."

【Prize Details】

One winner will be selected by lottery to receive a "Tetchan" made of pure gold.

【Application Period】

March 19th (Thu), 2026 ～ April 30th (Thu), 2026 until 23:59

【Eligibility and How to Apply】

1) Follow Kanetetsu's official account (@kanetetsu_1926) on X (formerly Twitter).

2) Repost the campaign target post.

3) Winners will be contacted via X Direct Message (DM).

Follow Kanetetsu's official account (@kanetetsu_1926) and repost the target post from @kanetetsu_1926.

About "Hobo Kani® Day"

April 1st is "Hobo Kani Day," a commemorative day established by Kanetetsu.

Inspired by "April Fool's Day," we applied for and registered this commemorative day with the Japan Anniversary Association, with the desire for both those who play a trick and those who are tricked to enjoy a "playful, gentle lie" through "Hobo Kani®," a crab-flavored kamaboko that is "just like real crab."

This commemorative day was certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association in 2022 (Reiwa 4).

About Kanetetsu's "Hobo Series" products

This is a new category of fish paste products that reproduce the taste, texture, and appearance of real ingredients. We are developing these products with the aim of solving some of the food-related challenges and dissatisfactions customers face, such as expensive ingredients that are usually out of reach or ingredients that require troublesome preparation. Since the launch of "Hobo Kani®" in March 2014, we have developed various products including "Hobo Hotate®" (Almost Scallop), "Hobo Ebifry®" (Almost Fried Shrimp), "Hobo Kakifry®" (Almost Fried Oyster), "Hobo Unagi®" (Almost Eel), "Hobo Tarabagani®" (Almost King Crab), "Hobo Zuwai™" (Almost Snow Crab), "Hobo Ebi®" (Almost Shrimp), "Hobo Ikura®" (Almost Salmon Roe), and "Hobo Kegani®" (Almost Hairy Crab). By February 2025, cumulative sales of the series exceeded 100 million packs.

《Solutions provided by Hobo Series products for common problems》

1. Hobo Kani®, Hobo Taraba®, Hobo Hotate® ・・・ Marine resource protection, background of price hikes

2. Hobo Unagi® ・・・ Protection of endangered species

3. Hobo Ebi®, Hobo Ikura® ・・・ Shellfish and fish egg allergy-free

4. Hobo Kakifry® ・・・ For those with shellfish allergies or concerns about food poisoning

About Kanetetsu's "Hobo Series" products

This is a new category of fish paste products that reproduce the taste, texture, and appearance of real ingredients. We are developing these products with the aim of solving some of the food-related challenges and dissatisfactions customers face, such as expensive ingredients that are usually out of reach or ingredients that require troublesome preparation. Since the launch of "Hobo Kani®" in March 2014, we have developed various products including "Hobo Hotate®" (Almost Scallop), "Hobo Ebifry®" (Almost Fried Shrimp), "Hobo Kakifry®" (Almost Fried Oyster), "Hobo Unagi®" (Almost Eel), "Hobo Tarabagani®" (Almost King Crab), "Hobo Zuwai™" (Almost Snow Crab), "Hobo Ebi®" (Almost Shrimp), "Hobo Ikura®" (Almost Salmon Roe), and "Hobo Kegani®" (Almost Hairy Crab). By February 2025, cumulative sales of the series exceeded 100 million packs.

《Solutions provided by Hobo Series products for common problems》

1. Hobo Kani®, Hobo Taraba®, Hobo Hotate® ・・・ Marine resource protection, background of price hikes

2. Hobo Unagi® ・・・ Protection of endangered species

3. Hobo Ebi®, Hobo Ikura® ・・・ Shellfish and fish egg allergy-free

4. Hobo Kakifry® ・・・ For those with shellfish allergies or concerns about food poisoning

About Kanetetsu Delica Foods

Kanetetsu Delica Foods Co., Ltd. (President: Hiroshi Murakami), a manufacturer of fish paste products with a factory on Rokko Island in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in March 2026. In 1990, it implemented the elimination of synthetic preservatives from all products. Furthermore, in 2018, it became the first fish paste product manufacturing factory to acquire certifications for three food safety management systems: "ISO22000," "FSSC22000," and "JFS-C." It continues to maintain FSSC22000 certification and is committed to producing "safe and secure" products. The company also engages in unique manufacturing, such as technology to express kamaboko in three dimensions and technology to reproduce seafood using surimi. The "Hobo Series" products, including the popular "Hobo Kani®," which reproduce the taste, texture, and appearance of real ingredients and are also a topic of conversation for their naming, have surpassed cumulative sales of 100 million packs.

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: News