What is the "Kanro Candy Diner Town Hikari" project?

This is a regional collaboration project implemented in partnership with Hikari City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the founding place of Kanro, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Kanro Candy's launch. Special menus using Kanro Candy will be offered at restaurants and other establishments in Hikari City.

What is the duration of the project?

The project runs from Tuesday, March 31, 2026, to Wednesday, March 31, 2027. However, some businesses may continue offering their menus beyond this date.

What kind of menus will be offered?

A wide variety of menus spanning Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisines will be offered, including kimbap, yangnyeom chicken, pudding, and beer. Please refer to the "List of Participating Businesses" in the article for details.

How is "Pekopa" involved?

"Pekopa" serves as Hikari City's PR Ambassador and participated as a guest at the project's announcement event, where they tasted and commented on the menus.

What is "Kanro Candy Diner"?

It is a website that introduces various recipes using Kanro Candy. It was launched in 2020 and has also published a recipe book.

Pekopa Also Praises! Local Revitalization Project Launched in Founding City: Kanro x Hikari City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, "Kanro Candy Diner Town Hikari" Menu Service Begins

Published Apr 1, 2026 2:30 AM ・ Updated Jun 2, 2026 1:01 PM ・ 24 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

Kanro collaborates with its founding city, Hikari City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to launch a local revitalization initiative offering menus featuring Kanro Candy.

Kanro Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Tetsuya Murata; hereinafter referred to as Kanro), known for products like Kanro Candy and Pure Gummy, is implementing the regional collaboration project "Kanro Candy Diner Town Hikari" in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Kanro Candy's launch. Starting sequentially from Tuesday, March 31, 2026, menus using Kanro Candy will be offered at a total of 19 businesses, including restaurants, within Hikari City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

From the left in the lower center of the photo: Mayor Yoshika of Hikari City, Shupei and Shoinji of Pekopa, President Murata of Kanro, and participating business representatives.

《A Real "Kanro Candy Diner Town" Becomes a Reality! Menu Service to Begin Sequentially at Restaurants and Other Establishments in the City》

Kanro Candy, launched in 1955, is a long-selling Kanro product loved for its simple sweet and salty taste derived from sugar, starch syrup, soy sauce, and salt. To express gratitude for long-term patronage, the "Kanro Candy 70th Anniversary Project" has been underway since September 2025. Kanro Candy, made with simple ingredients, is characterized by its deliciousness that brings out the flavor of the ingredients, and it has become a topic of conversation on social media as a versatile seasoning for cooking. In addition to adding depth and richness to flavors, its ability to create a glossy finish is being leveraged, with various recipes using Kanro Candy introduced on the recipe site "Kanro Candy Diner."

"Kanro Candy Diner Town Hikari" is a regional collaboration project that aims to bring "Kanro Candy Diner" to life in reality, in partnership with Hikari City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the founding place of Kanro and home to its production base, the "Hikari Factory." Nineteen participating businesses will develop and offer special menus using Kanro Candy. The project aims to contribute to tourism promotion in Hikari City by fostering an image where visitors can enjoy the taste of "Kanro Candy Diner" when they visit Hikari City. Through this initiative, Kanro aims to embody its long-standing gratitude to Hikari City and its refreshed brand message, "We want to be kind," coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Kanro Candy. The project, first announced in August 2025 and followed by an exchange of opinions in November of the same year, is now finally launching its menu service.

A press conference and tasting event for participating businesses was held at the Mishima Community Center in Hikari City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to commemorate the start of the "Kanro Candy Diner Town Hikari" menu service on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Among the 19 participating businesses, including cafes and a beer brewery, 14 businesses attended the announcement event. Various menus using Kanro Candy were unveiled. At the event, Kanro President Tetsuya Murata and Hikari City Mayor Osamu Yoshioka took the stage. Furthermore, comedy duo "Pekopa," who serve as Hikari City PR Ambassadors, participated as guests. Mr. Taiyu Shoinji of "Pekopa" spoke about his memories of Hikari City, where he grew up, his connection with Kanro Candy, and his thoughts on this initiative.

《Kimbap, Pudding, Yangnyeom Chicken, and Even Beer... A Variety of Kanro Candy-Infused Menus Tasted》

At the announcement event, each participating business introduced their menus, followed by a tasting session of the Kanro Candy-infused dishes. The Kanro Candy menus offered this time are diverse, spanning Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisines. The comedy duo "Pekopa," Hikari City PR Ambassadors, also tasted the dishes and commented, "Everything was incredibly delicious, and we could taste the Kanro Candy flavor in everything from spicy to sweet dishes. We were delighted to try each of your proud creations, which clearly show the trial and error involved in pairing with ingredients!"

【Comments from Participating Businesses】

・Using Kanro Candy adds more richness than sugar. We aimed for a taste that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

・Using Kanro Candy in the caramel for the pudding creates a rich, sweet and salty flavor. It's also recommended for those who don't like bitterness.

・We focused on texture as well, experimenting with crushing and melting it. We hope you will try it at our restaurant.

The Hikari City website introducing the collaboration project with Kanro features participating businesses and their menus. A "Restaurant Map" created by Hikari City's Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team is also available. Furthermore, a stamp rally is planned for the future. Kanro, which has grown alongside Hikari City since its founding, will continue to deliver "kindness" through food and embark on new challenges while cherishing its bonds with the community.

https://www.city.hikari.lg.jp/soshiki/7/kanko_1/citypro/15640.html

Hikari City Tourism Ambassador "Pekopa"

Appointed as the first Hikari City PR Ambassador in 2024. They energize Hikari City through their daily activities and proposals for promoting the city's specialized fields.

Comedy Duo "Pekopa" (formed April 2008)

Agency: Sun Music

Right photo: Taiyu Shoinji / Born in Hikari City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Left photo: Shupei / Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

List of Participating Businesses in "Kanro Candy Diner Town Hikari"

・Project Period: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 - Wednesday, March 31, 2027

※ Service may end at individual businesses after Wednesday, March 31, 2027.

No.

Business Name

Menu Name

Cafe Agora

Kimbap with Kanro Candy

Yangnyeom Chicken with Kanro Candy

Shichirin Yaki Horumon Ebisu

Okami's Nuts Kimchi

~Kanro Candy Yangnyeom Version~

Keika Sabo

Kanro Candy Pudding

Yakiniku Gen

Yangnyeom Chicken with Kanro Candy

Dejipokkun with Kanro Candy

Kotaro Shokudo

Kanro Candy and Nut Praline Ice Cream

Meat or Fish Dish with Kanro Candy Red Wine Sauce

Collaboration Kitchen 634

Kanro Candy Warabi Manju

Jugo Man Goku Mitsui Store

Magokoro Bento "Kokoro" Choshutei

Kanro Candy Okonomiyaki

Kanro Candy Omurice

Kanro Candy Seafood Ankake Shio Ramen

Kanro Candy Chuka Don

Kanro Candy Sannin Karaage

Tsukari Berrys

Kanro Candy Sauce and Cheesecake Soft Serve Ice Cream

Waraka ~Kanro Candy Flavor~

Tsunagu+

"Hikari no Megumi" Grilled Onigiri with Kanro Candy

Hatsushin Kitchen

"Ame Pako"

~A Nostalgic Taste of Home Using Kanro Candy~

Pan Koppe Satono Kuri Ten

Kanro Candy Koppe

Hikari Brewery

"Kohaku - Amber -"

~A Beer with a Hint of Sweetness and Low Bitterness Using Kanro Candy~

PAPER MOON

Kanron Nut Cream Cake

~A Cake Unique to Hikari City with a Spreading Sweet and Salty Kanro Candy Flavor~

bon clair

Kanro Candy Mitarashi-style Kouign Amann

MY SPOT

Kanro Candy Affogato

Hotel Matsubara-ya

Restaurant Respirez

Pork Ginger Pork Set Meal with Kanro Candy Aroma

Whale Tatsuta Fried with Kanro Candy Aftertaste Sauce

Homemade Amber Brûlée Pudding Finished with Kanro Candy

Panna Cotta Coated with Kanro Candy Decoration

Min Min

Kanro Candy Sweet and Sour Pork

Yui Do

Kanro Candy Miki Muffin

Kanro Candy Latte

Doji

Special Kanro Candy Sauce

About "Kanro Candy Diner"

The website "Kanro Candy Diner," launched in 2020, introduces various recipes using Kanro Candy. Its unexpected use of candy in cooking became a hot topic on social media, leading to the publication of the book "Welcome to Kanro Candy Diner" (Shogakukan) in June 2021, featuring 78 recipes using Kanro Candy. Since 2023, the official Instagram account (@kanroameshokudo) has also been active, sharing diverse recipes.

"Kanro Candy Diner" Official Website: https://www.kanro.co.jp/kanroameshokudo/

"Kanro Candy Diner" Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanroameshokudo/

About Kanro Candy

Kanro Candy, a long-selling brand launched in 1955. In 2018, the formula was changed to be free of amino acids, pursuing even greater deliciousness with simple ingredients: sugar, starch syrup, soy sauce, and salt. In 2025, it celebrates its 70th anniversary and, under the brand message "We want to be kind," is developed as a brand that can gently accompany everyone.

Kanro Candy Brand Site: https://kanro.jp/pages/kanroame/

Product Overview

Product Name: Kanro Candy / Shio Kanro Candy (70th Anniversary Icon Package)

Suggested Retail Price: 205 yen (tax included) *8% consumption tax

Contents: 140g

Sales Area: Nationwide

Features: A candy with a sweet and salty taste, evoking Japanese flavors.

Kanro Brands

Kanro Co., Ltd. Company Overview

Company Name: Kanro Co., Ltd.

Representative: Tetsuya Murata, President and Representative Director

Location: Tokyo Opera City Tower 37F, 3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Established: November 10, 1912 (Taisho 1)

Business Activities: Manufacturing and sales of confectionery and food products

Stock Exchange: Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market (Securities Code 2216)

URL: Corporate Site https://www.kanro.co.jp/

KanroPOCKeT https://kanro.jp/

Since its establishment in 1912, Kanro has continuously created beloved products such as "Kanro Candy," which gave the company its name, "Health Throat Candy," the first throat candy in the confectionery industry, "Kin no Milk," the No. 1 brand in the milk flavor candy market*, and "Pure Gummy," a pioneer in adult gummies, and has grown steadily. At its directly managed store "Hitotsubu Kanro," it conveys the charm of candy with the concept of "One piece connecting people to people."

In February 2025, Kanro formulated its "Mid-term Management Plan 2030" and established the new "Kanro Vision 2.0." "Kanro Vision 2.0" is based on the corporate purpose "Sweeten the Future - Making hearts grow one piece at a time," and outlines the company's future direction with the vision "To bring smiles to people and society by continuously creating sweet moments" and four values: "Creating sweet moments," "Transforming the business foundation," "Spinning towards the future," and "Further evolution of a co-creative organization."

While achieving further growth centered on the domestic gummy business, Kanro will expand its business domains and business models for sustainable growth, contribute to solving social issues through its business, and enhance corporate value, thereby contributing to a sustainable future for people and society.

*Based on the brand ranking of cumulative sales value from April 2024 to March 2025 in the milk flavor candy market by INTAGE SRI+.

Corporate Purpose "Sweeten the Future ~Making hearts grow one piece at a time.~"

In 2022, Kanro established its corporate purpose, "Sweeten the Future ~Making hearts grow one piece at a time.~" This statement articulates the company's aspirations for the future, reflecting on its journey amidst an era of rapid change and uncertainty. Kanro, which has continuously strived to create the future with sugar and unlock its potential, will contribute to a sustainable future for people and society by accumulating moments where "hearts grow one piece at a time" through the further evolution of the technologies cultivated in its corporate activities.

【Inquiries Regarding This Matter】

Kanro Co., Ltd. Customer Center

Tel: 0120-88-0422

(Reception Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00-16:00, excluding public holidays)

FACT BOX

Source: PR TIMES
Category: News