Overview
- The Ameyoko Shopping Street Association projects about 2 million visitors over December 27–31 as shoppers crowd seafood and produce stalls.
- By December 29, Ameyoko’s cumulative footfall had already surpassed last year’s total of 1.83 million, indicating stronger year-end demand.
- Osaka’s Kuromon Market expects roughly 300,000 visitors over three days through December 31, according to the merchants’ association.
- Vendors cite higher procurement costs but say retail prices remain roughly typical through discounts, bonuses, and company efforts, with visible markdowns on tags.
- Shoppers sought traditional New Year foods such as fugu, crab, sea bream, kazunoko, and kuri-kinton as families prepared holiday meals.