Japan’s been going through a bit of a price hike over the last year or two, and honestly, it’s starting to feel real. Take convenience store onigiri (rice balls), for example. It used to be a simple, reliable snack for just over 100 yen. These days, it is not uncommon to see premium versions priced near 300 yen. While you can still find more affordable options at supermarkets, there is a quiet sense of loneliness in seeing the familiar 100-yen rice ball slowly disappear. I understand that rising prices are a global phenomenon, but experiencing it firsthand in these small, daily staples brings the reality home.
The same thing is happening with kaiten-sushi (conveyor belt sushi). The days of “everything for 100 yen” are mostly behind us, and prices have definitely shifted up. But even so, I still love going. It’s just fun, and the variety is huge. Lately, I’ve been keeping a close watch on Sushiro’s limited-time menus. Some of their seasonal stuff looks so good in the photos that I can’t help but be curious.
You can see the current menu and campaigns on Sushiro’s official website: (https://www.akindo-sushiro.co.jp/campaign)
One item that recently caught my eye is the “Assorted Five-Piece Shellfish Platter” for 770 yen. For the quality you get, I think the cost-performance is actually pretty great. Plus, with the yen being so weak right now, that’s only about $5.13 USD. When you think about it that way—getting a nice platter of sushi for about five bucks—it feels like a pretty sweet deal.
I guess you could argue that with the exchange rate what it is, maybe it’s smarter to skip the conveyor belt and go for a high-end, luxury sushi spot since it’ll feel like a bargain anyway. But there’s just something about the casual vibe of a place like Sushiro that keeps me coming back. Even if things are getting a bit pricier, finding these little gems on the menu is half the fun.
