The Chiikawa x Kura Sushi collaboration event was originally set to run from Friday, August 21, 2026 to Wednesday, September 30, 2026. However, after a lot of outcry on social media regarding customers receiving few to no collaboration merchandise during the campaign period.
Kura Sushi announced they had launched an internal investigation on September 2, 2026. The company explained that the prizes are stored in a locked warehouse and managed according to internal regulations including procedures such as having multiple people open and replenish the prizes and clearly defining who is in charge. They stated that they will not tolerate improper handling or acquisition of prizes and that if any problems are found during an investigation they will take appropriate action including strict disciplinary measures and legal action against those involved. They also said they would work on verifying the number of prizes provided against the number of items in stock and tightening management rules.
Just three days after launching that investigation on September 5, 2026 it was reported that fraudulent activity was found by an employee (possibly multiple but not specifically stated). Kura Sushi released an official statement regarding the collaboration cancellation translated below:
Notice Regarding the Cancellation of the “Chiikawa” Collaboration Campaign
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your continued patronage. We deeply apologize for the significant concern caused to our customers and all parties involved regarding the currently ongoing “Chiikawa” collaboration campaign.
Following an internal investigation, we discovered misconduct by our employees in connection with the campaign. Consequently, we have decided to cancel the “Chiikawa” collaboration campaign listed below, effective from the start of business operations tomorrow, Sunday, September 6, 2026. We offer our deepest apologies to the customers who were looking forward to this campaign and to all associated parties.
Campaign elements to be cancelled effective from business operations on Sunday, September 6, 2026
1. Distribution of “Bikkura-pon!” original figures, acrylic magnets, and pin badges
2. Giveaway of original tea cups
3. Giveaway of original sushi plates
4. Receipt-based entry campaign (giveaway of original short aprons; 50 winners selected by lottery)
5. Collaboration menu items (“Agedakko! Sauce-men” and “Usagi’s Paaancake”)
6. “Bikkura-pon!” videos and in-store decorations (at the Harajuku Global Flagship Store, Namba Parks South Store, and Shinjuku Yasukuni-dori Store)
Please note that while television commercials announcing the ongoing “Chiikawa” collaboration campaign may continue to air, the campaign itself has ended as described above.
We once again apologize for the inconvenience caused by this cancellation and ask for your kind understanding.
While this is a very rare occurrence for a collaboration cancellation it is true that in the past few years these events have been struggling to keep up with customer supply and demand. Companies are having to come up with different strategies to combat this and of course the dreaded influx of scalpers who take away from the experience of honest customers.
To all the fans out there keep calm and carry on. The bright side of this sad situation is that the popularity of Chiikawa isn’t going to go anywhere. The creator themselves was outraged by this incident and I’m sure the officials will work on something to make it up to the fans somehow. In the meantime, if you happen to be in the Tokyo area you should check out the Chiikawa Park which is an experimental park that allows guests to immerse themselves in the world of Chiikawa.
Useful Links
Oricon News Coverage: https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2478546/
Game Watch Coverage of the Collaboration: https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/kikaku/2133521.html
Chiikawa Park: https://chiikawapark-tokyo.jp/en/
