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Japanese retailers offer various eel products for Day of the Ox

Japanese retailers are offering a wide range of eel products to attract consumers ahead of Sunday's Day of the Ox, a traditional day for eating nutritious grilled eels to fight the summer heat.

By Tomoko Otake·Jul 23·japantimes.co.jp·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Retailers in Japan are offering eel products at discounted prices to attract consumers ahead of the Day of the Ox. Aeon Retail and Ito-Yokado have cut prices for their mainstay grilled eel items, while Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings' flagship department store in Tokyo is selling fully cultivated eels for the first time in the world.

Why it matters

The story matters because it highlights the efforts of Japanese retailers to offer eel products at discounted prices to attract consumers ahead of the Day of the Ox, a traditional day for eating nutritious grilled eels.

In Japan, there's a special day called the Day of the Ox where people eat grilled eels to stay cool in the summer. Retailers are selling eel products at discounted prices to make them more appealing to consumers.

Analysis

A Summer Tradition Takes Shape

Japanese retailers are gearing up to offer a wide range of eel products to attract consumers ahead of Sunday's Day of the Ox, a traditional day for eating nutritious grilled eels to fight the summer heat. The retailers are offering eel products at discounted prices to make them more appealing to consumers.

A New Era for Eel Farming

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings' flagship department store in Tokyo is selling fully cultivated eels for the first time in the world. The kabayaki eel product, offered in a limited number of 73, has a relatively high price tag of ¥5,500 for a piece weighing 165 grams. The eels on sale at the store were farm-raised by people from egg to harvest without relying on natural eggs and fry.

A Tradition Worth Preserving

The Day of the Ox is a traditional day for eating nutritious grilled eels to fight the summer heat. The eels are a staple in Japanese cuisine, and the retailers are offering them at discounted prices to make them more appealing to consumers. The fully cultivated eels being sold at Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings' flagship department store are a new development in eel farming, and they are expected to be a hit with consumers.

Key points

  • Japanese retailers are offering eel products at discounted prices to attract consumers ahead of the Day of the Ox.
  • Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings' flagship department store in Tokyo is selling fully cultivated eels for the first time in the world.
  • The eels on sale at the store were farm-raised by people from egg to harvest without relying on natural eggs and fry.
  • The Day of the Ox is a traditional day for eating nutritious grilled eels to fight the summer heat.
The Upside

If the demand for eel products continues to grow, retailers may consider expanding their offerings to include more types of eels and other seafood products.

The Downside

If the heatwave continues, the demand for eel products may decrease, leading to a surplus of eels and potentially affecting the livelihoods of eel farmers.

Originally reported at

japantimes.co.jp

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagseelsfishingsupermarketsdepartment-stores

Author

Tomoko Otake

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Jul 23, 2026

Source

japantimes.co.jp

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Topics

eelsfishingsupermarketsdepartment-stores

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