Have You Ever Heard of the Curry Rice Price Index? The price rise has become a serious issue worldwide, and Japan is no exception. The Curry Rice Price Index tracks the cost of making this beloved meal, highlighting how factors like ingredient prices and utility costs impact what you pay. Understanding this index gives a clear picture of the rising costs of everyday life in Japan.
For more useful information for your daily life in Japan, please check below.
Chapter 1: What is the Curry Rice Price Index?
Many people have tried curry rice in Japan. It’s such a beloved dish that it’s often considered Japan’s national comfort food.
The Curry Rice Price Index tracks the cost of making one plate of curry rice. It looks at the price of ingredients like vegetables, meat, and rice, as well as the cost of utilities like gas and electricity. This helps you see the price rise of curry rice and other everyday foods over time.
The index is based on data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ “Retail Price Survey” and is compiled and released monthly by Japanese research firm Teikoku Databank Ltd.
Chapter 2: First Time Over 400 Yen in 2025
Teikoku Databank reports that the price of curry rice reached 407 yen per serving in February 2025, up from 319 yen in the same month the previous year. This increase of 88 yen marks the first time the price has broken the 400 yen mark. It also sets a new high for the 11th consecutive month.
The main reasons for this price rise include:
The extreme summer heat affected vegetable harvests, causing vegetable prices to soar.
Rice prices also increased.
In 2021, curry rice cost around 270 yen, but now it has surpassed 400 yen, with prices likely to rise even further next month.
Source: Teikoku Databank Ltd
