Hidaka, Hokkaido – When one of my neighbors gifted me potatoes recently, I was surprised how perfect they all seemed, especially for something homegrown. In recent years, the potatoes grown in Japan’s most northern prefecture have been underwhelming — in both quality and quantity. But not this year: The caliber of 2026’s potatoes might be some of the best produced in a decade, a boon for snack food makers and home cooks alike with supermarket shelves sure to be well-stocked.
As recently as last autumn, high temperatures and inconsistent rain caused a sharp decline in harvest volume and potato quality. Unpredictable weather such as 2017’s punishing typhoons led potato chips manufacturer Calbee to create contingencies in case Hokkaido crops were insufficient, diversifying into Tohoku and even as far south as northern Kyushu.
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