The average price of osechi ryōri, traditional New Year's cuisine in Japan, has risen for a third consecutive year, according to a survey by business intelligence company Teikoku Databank.
The November survey analyzed pricing for three-tiered osechi sets for three to four people across 110 sellers, including major convenience stores, department stores, supermarkets and famous Japanese restaurants. The average price of osechi for the 2025 New Year stood at ¥27,826 ($185), a 1.3% increase — or ¥360 — compared with that for the 2024 New Year.
Though prices have continued to rise, the latest increase is the smallest in three years, at less than half the increase for the 2024 New Year, and reversing the trend of ¥1,000-plus annual hikes, showing retailers have adopted a more cautious pricing approach in response to prolonged inflation and cost-conscious consumers.
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