【Mochikichi】Sign Event with Sumo Wrestler Wakamotoharu on July 3! Limited-Time Pop-Up at Matsuzakaya Nagoya

Mochikichi Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nogata City, Fukuoka Prefecture; President and CEO: Keiko Morita), a manufacturer and retailer of rice crackers, will operate a limited-time pop-up store at Matsuzakaya Nagoya from Friday, July 3, 2026 to Tuesday, July 7, for five days.

The store will sell sumo-themed products such as the "Kimarite Senbei" (Decisive Move Crackers), featuring illustrations of sumo's 82 official winning techniques on individual cracker wrappers, as well as seasonal summer items. These make excellent souvenirs for international visitors.

On July 3 (Fri), a special signing event featuring professional sumo wrestler Wakamotoharu will also be held. We welcome visitors to attend, especially as the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament approaches.

Wakamotoharu Sign Event – Support the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with Kimarite Senbei

To commemorate Mochikichi's limited-time pop-up at Matsuzakaya Nagoya, we are hosting a signing event with sumo wrestler Wakamotoharu.

Wakamotoharu

Event Name

Mochikichi "Wakamotoharu Sign Event"

– Support the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with Kimarite Senbei –

Event Date and Time

Friday, July 3, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

* Entry to the event requires a ticket distributed on the day from 10:00 AM; limited to the first 50 guests

Location

Matsuzakaya Nagoya Store – Directly connected via underground passage to Yabachō Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway Meijō Line (Exits 5 and 6)

Sales and Event Area: Special Event Space in front of La Vieille, B2 Floor, Main Building

Details

On the day, the first 50 customers who purchase the "Grand Sumo Nagoya Tournament Limited Set" (¥10,000, excluding consumption tax) from 10:00 AM will receive an entry ticket.

* This offer is limited to members of the Daimaru Matsuzakaya App. Same-day registration is available.

From 3:00 PM, guests with tickets will receive an autographed color card signed in person by Wakamotoharu. For those who wish, he will also write a personal name on the card and offer a handshake and one photo taken with your smartphone.

Mochikichi Limited-Time Pop-Up at Matsuzakaya Nagoya – Overview

Period

Friday, July 3, 2026 – Tuesday, July 7, 2026

* The signing event will only take place on Friday, July 3

Opening Hours

10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Products Sold

Sumo-related items including Kimarite Senbei, as well as Mochikichi's seasonal summer products

Location

Matsuzakaya Nagoya Store – Directly connected via underground passage to Yabachō Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway Meijō Line (Exits 5 and 6)

Sales Area: Special Event Space in front of La Vieille, B2 Floor, Main Building

About Kimarite Senbei (Decisive Move Crackers)

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Japan Sumo Association, the 82 official winning techniques of sumo are illustrated and printed on individual cracker wrappers. The crackers themselves are designed to resemble sumo wrestlers wearing mawashi (loincloths), making them an exclusive product only available in the Kimarite Senbei line.

The overall creative supervision of the product is led by renowned Japanese designer Kenya Hara. The product line includes a "Kimarite-cho" (Decisive Move Notebook) featuring all 82 winning techniques, and a tin can (steel can) made with Nippon Steel Corporation's CO2-reducing material (GX Steel) "NSCarbolex® Neutral," reflecting both the world of sumo and Mochikichi's craftsmanship.

"NSCarbolex® Neutral" https://www.nipponsteel.com/product/nscarbolex/neutral/

About the Illustrations of Sumo's 82 Winning Techniques

Each of the 82 official sumo winning techniques is illustrated from both front and back views and printed on individual cracker wrappers. The designs were developed under the overall supervision of renowned Japanese designer Kenya Hara, with additional oversight from the Japan Sumo Association, allowing customers to appreciate the depth and diversity of sumo techniques.

The included "Kimarite-cho" (Decisive Move Notebook) features all 82 techniques with bilingual Japanese-English descriptions, making it ideal not only for sumo fans but also as a souvenir for international visitors.

View "Kimarite Senbei" here

About Mochikichi's "Sustainability Partner" Agreement with the Japan Sumo Association

The "Sustainability Partner" program was launched by the Japan Sumo Association in 2023 to leverage over 1,500 years of sumo tradition and use the power of sumo to contribute, together with partner companies, to sustainable development and a better future for society. Mochikichi has long provided the water used in making its crackers as "Chikara-mizu" (Power Water) at official sumo tournaments. Starting January 2025, Mochikichi became an official Sustainability Partner.

About Mochikichi

Celebrating its 97th year in business, Mochikichi operates under the slogan "Fine Rice, Fine Water, Fine Craftsmanship," delivering the true deliciousness of rice crackers to customers. We carefully select rice based on product type, using only the finest 100% domestically grown Japanese rice. Equally important is the water that brings out the flavor of the rice—Mochikichi uses high-quality soft water sourced from the Hachiman Mountain range, selected as one of the Forestry Agency's "100 Best Water Source Forests." Our skilled artisans adjust the production process daily based on temperature and humidity to achieve the perfect texture. To ensure freshness, we operate 226 directly managed stores nationwide (as of March 2026). In recent years, we have focused on developing and promoting gluten-free rice-based confectionery, sharing the authentic taste of Japanese rice crackers from Japan to the world. Mochikichi Taiwan Main Store (in Taipei) has become a popular destination where premium Japanese rice crackers are well received by many customers.

Company Overview

Company Name: Mochikichi Co., Ltd. (Pronounced: Mochikichi)

Address: 2400 Shimisaku, Jibemai, Mochidangomura, Hime no Jinja Front, Nogata City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Founded: September 1, 1929 (Showa 4)

President and CEO: Keiko Morita

Business Activities: Manufacturing and sales of rice crackers (direct stores and online sales)

• Manufacturing and sales of rice-based snacks such as "senbei" (rice crackers) made primarily from non-glutinous rice and "arare" (rice crackers) made from glutinous rice, as well as tofu and fresh confectionery.

• Sales of bottled water (PET bottles, bag-in-box), rice (in-house milled), tofu, side dishes, and alcoholic beverages (Class B shochu)

• Operation of restaurants (e.g., Suisho Udon)

• Operation of commercial facility "Mochidango Village MALL"

URL: https://www.mochikichi.co.jp/

Mochikichi Official Website