経済｜ニセコの驚き価格と経済事情 / Economy | The Surprising Prices and Economic Conditions in Niseko

Summary

In Niseko, Hokkaido, prices continue to soar, largely influenced by demand as a tourist destination.

For example, a plate of katsu curry is priced at 3,000 yen, yet the profit margin is only 180 yen. Additionally, a popular catering service is offered at 300,000 yen per event, which still feels relatively “cheap” to foreign tourists. Niseko’s economy primarily relies on international visitors, with reports indicating that this year, for the first time, 40 million tourists have visited Japan.

Dialogue

This dialogue is fictional and based on the article.

Chako: Hey Log, can you believe that the katsu curry in Niseko costs 3,000 yen? I wonder what the reason is!
Log: That is definitely expensive. But I guess it’s because there’s a high demand as a tourist destination.
Chako: Still, a profit of only 180 yen is really low!
Log: Yeah, it seems the rising cost of living is having a big impact. Since there are so many foreign tourists, even if they raise the prices, the demand keeps going.
Navi: This is due to the unique economic structure of Niseko, where the increase in tourists affects the pricing.
Chako: I see, so that’s how it is! Tourist areas really are something special!

Admin’s Note

The pricing in Niseko is surprising, but I understand that the influence of tourism is significant. Especially, setting prices according to tourist demand is an important factor in the local economy. However, I believe it’s also necessary to consider the impact on local residents. With rising prices, the cost of living for locals is likely to be affected as well. It may be a time when measures are needed to balance the tourism industry with the needs of the community.