Rising Prices Hit Japan's Festivals: Ice Shavings and Goldfish Scooping Costs Surge

Jul 27, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The impact of rising prices is being felt at summer festivals, with essential items like ice shavings and goldfish scooping seeing significant price increases.

At the ongoing "Ueno Summer Festival" in Tokyo's Ueno Park, a large crowd is enjoying traditional festival stalls like takoyaki and shooting games. However, the scorching heat this year has made ice shavings particularly popular.

Ice Shavings Vendor: 'Last year, we sold for 300 yen, but now it's 400 yen. We had no choice but to raise the price.'

The heat wave has caused a surge in demand, leading to a roughly 40% increase in the cost of ice.

Additionally, a goldfish scooping stall has raised its prices from 300 yen to 500 yen this year. The reason for the price hike...

Goldfish Scooping Vendor, Rikiya Takahashi: 'The main issue is the goldfish.'

The number of goldfish breeders in Japan has declined, pushing up costs. Furthermore, the cost of the scooping tools, known as "poi"...

Goldfish Scooping Vendor, Rikiya Takahashi: 'Plastic items like these have also increased in price.'

Parents attending festivals have expressed concern over the rising expenses, with some spending nearly 5000 yen in a short time. Despite these challenges, some festivals, like the Shimbashi Koichi Festival, are striving to keep prices low through cost-cutting measures. Wholesalers attribute the price hikes to the weak yen and increased import costs.

Source: 日テレNEWS

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