
Artificial flowers encased in ice are seen at Onoda-Shoten Co.’s factory in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo.
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
-
Earthquake Hits with Epicenter in Central Tokyo; No Tsunami Warning
-
Princess Aiko Delivers First Address During Official Duty; Daughter of Emperor and Empress Speaks at Opening of International Medical Conference
-
Suspicious Plastic Bottle Containing Black Liquid Found on Tokaido Shinkansen Train; Police Working to Identify Contents
-
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Drunk Driving after Rear-ending Bus in Yokosuka
-
2025 Expo Osaka: Visitor Surge Expected in Latter Half as Increased Ticket Sales Not Leading to More Attendance Yet
JN ACCESS RANKING
-
Core Inflation in Japan’s Capital Sharply Accelerates in April
-
U.S. Holds Fire Over Yen Exchange Rate Targets; Bessent Said to Understand Negative Impact on Markets
-
Rents Mark 30-Year-High Rate of Rise; Decrease in Disposable Income May Dampen Personal Consumption
-
Japanese Govt Mulls Raising Number of Cars to be Imported Under Simplified Screen System in U.S. Tariff Negotiations
-
Japan Must Take Lead in Maintaining Free Trade System, Says Chairman of Japan Trade Group