Ice maker banks on ornamental blocks to boost sales
6:00 JST, August 21, 2022
Tokyo ice maker Onoda-Shoten Co. has increased production of ornamental ice blocks as part of efforts to boost summer sales amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Before the pandemic, the Kita Ward-based company produced about 80 tons of ice daily in the peak summer season for restaurants and other establishments, for purposes such as making kakigori shaved ice.
However, the company’s sales were halved last year when opening hours at restaurants and other businesses were shortened due to pandemic measures.
Onoda-Shoten creates the ice ornaments by encasing artificial flowers and other items in blocks of various sizes at a factory in Arakawa Ward.
The vivid colors of the artificial flowers stand out through the transparent ice, making the ornaments popular as gifts, according to the company.
“We want people to enjoy the refreshing cool air from the ice and the beauty of the object at the same time,” said Onoda-Shoten’s Keiichi Ogura.
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
JICA Employee Suspected of Leaking Info on ODA Project in Manila; Bidding for Railway Renovation May Have Been Impacted
-
Typhoon Cimaron Forms South of Japan; Expected to Move Closer to Kyushu, Shikoku in Few Days
-
Typhoon Jebi, Typhoon Krathon Approaching Japan; Impact on Eastern Japan, Okinawa is Concerning
-
‘Doraemon’ Voice Actress Nobuyo Oyama Dies at 90; Also Voiced Katsuo in Anime ‘Sazae-san’ (UPDATE 1)
-
Japan’s Nihon Hidankyo Wins Nobel Peace Prize; Hibakusha Group Campaigns against Nuclear Weapons (UPDATE 3)
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Harris Widens Lead over Trump to 47%-40%, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds
- Japan-S. Korea Exchange Festival Held in Seoul
- Japan Trying to Draw Digital Nomads, Who Are Seen as Beneficial to Economy, Society
- JICA Employee Suspected of Leaking Info on ODA Project in Manila; Bidding for Railway Renovation May Have Been Impacted
- Asukayama Monorail in Tokyo: Free to Ride!