Japanese heritage brand Meiji first dreamed up the delightfully strange concept behind the Kinoko no Yama Wireless Earphones on social media. The idea became a real product in 2024 and sparked a buying frenzy among fans eager to wear the iconic chocolate mushrooms in their ears.
Now, Kagomedia Co., Ltd., the Japanese company behind the first-generation model, has secured another official license from Meiji to develop an upgraded second-generation version: the Kinoko no Yama Wireless Earphones Pro. The company is launching the Kinoko no Yama Wireless Earphones Revival Project, a crowdfunding campaign aimed at bringing the product to market. The campaign will officially begin on Makuake on November 1, 2026.
The new model builds on the original Kinoko no Yama Wireless Earphones released in a limited run of just 3,500 units in 2024, upgrading the hardware and specifications across the board. The project will officially launch on the crowdfunding platform Makuake on November 1, 2026.
Production will move forward if at least 1,000 orders are placed by the December 13 deadline. Unlike the original release, which was limited to 3,500 units, this campaign will not impose an overall production cap. Once the project passes the 1,000-order threshold, every additional unit ordered will be produced on demand.
This revival is not simply a rerun of the 2024 model. While retaining signature features such as AI-powered real-time two-way translation, the new version upgrades both everyday usability and overall performance.
The second-generation 2027 Kinoko no Yama Wireless Earphones Pro features improvements throughout, promising a more polished experience than its predecessor.
Four Major Upgrades in the Kinoko no Yama Wireless Earphones Pro
Upgrade 1: Better Sound Across the Board
The speakers have been retuned to improve frequency response in both the bass and treble ranges. According to the company's measurements, the new model delivers stronger bass output and improved high-frequency performance compared with the original. Total harmonic distortion, or THD, has also been reduced in the lower frequencies.
In listening tests, the bass sounded fuller and more powerful, while the treble came through with greater clarity and brightness. This upgrade puts considerably more focus on the earphones' core audio performance.
Comparison between the 2024 and 2027 models, based on in-house measurements
Upgrade 2: More Responsive Touch Controls
The new model replaces the copper foil used in the original with a newly designed FPC, or flexible printed circuit board, for the touch sensors. Gold plating has also been added to improve contact reliability and touch-detection accuracy, resulting in smoother, more dependable controls.
Upgrade 3: Memory Foam for a More Comfortable Fit
The new ear tips are made from soft memory foam that gently conforms to the shape of the ear, helping the earphones remain comfortable even during extended listening sessions.
Upgrade 4: A Major Charging Case Battery Boost
The charging case hardware has been redesigned to significantly reduce power consumption while idle. As a result, estimated standby time has increased from around 26 days to approximately 81 days, roughly three times longer than before.
The AI-powered real-time two-way translation feature from the original model also returns in full. It supports 74 languages along with 70 dialects and accents, covering a total of 144 language variants worldwide. The company claims a translation accuracy rate of 98%.
Visually, the new earphones retain the playful design that makes them look almost identical to actual Kinoko no Yama chocolates, while refining the overall shape and fit for improved comfort.
The colors have also been adjusted with accidental swallowing risks in mind. Meanwhile, the dedicated charging case recreates the snack's familiar packaging. Open the lid and the Kinoko no Yama-shaped earphones pop into view, while the upright case design makes the whole package display-ready.
If the campaign receives at least 1,000 orders, production of the second-generation 2027 Kinoko no Yama Wireless Earphones Pro will officially move forward. Unlike the original release, there will be no fixed production limit. Once the project is approved, units will be made to order based on the total number of applications. Whether the earphones will eventually receive a standard retail release remains undecided.
Whether you missed out last time or have only just discovered these chocolate-inspired earbuds, this campaign offers another chance to bring the fully upgraded Kinoko no Yama Wireless Earphones to life. The crowdfunding campaign page is already online and will officially open once the launch date arrives.
▼ The original 3,500-unit run sold out in just 10 minutes in 2024
Kinoko no Yama has once again found a wonderfully playful way to promote a snack that has been a pop-culture talking point in Japan for decades. With upgraded hardware and made-to-order production planned if the campaign succeeds, fans who want a pair should keep November 1 on their radar.
via： PR TIMES