Rice gifts go beyond 'Uchi-iwai' to become a new infrastructure for gifting.

Hachidaime Gihey, a Kyoto-based rice gift specialist (Headquarters: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative: Gihei Hashimoto), is leading the social trend of 'returning to rice' through its online store. The number of search-driven clicks to our online store (Note 1) recorded approximately 184% compared to the same period in 2023. This figure, which exceeds the overall market growth by 24 points, confirms that consumers are not just looking for rice, but for 'convincing information' and 'special experiences' from trusted brands. (Note 1: Comparison of related keywords such as 'rice gift' in Google Search Console between July-Dec 2023 and July-Dec 2025). In this release, we disclose the background and latest trend data on why Hachidaime Gihey's rice gifts are supported as a fail-safe choice—an infrastructure—for all occasions amidst modern life-defense orientations and diversifying gift needs. [Major changes in Japan's gifting culture] Against the backdrop of recent rice shortages and price hikes, 'rice' is being re-recognized as a gift that combines practicality and value. In 2025, the total market search volume for 'rice gift' (Note 2) surged to approximately 160% compared to 2023. Rice has evolved into a 'gift infrastructure' supporting all gifting scenes, including Mother's Day, mid-year and year-end gifts, and corporate prizes, rather than just specific return gifts. (Note 2: Surveyed via Google Keyword Planner). [Rapidly accelerating interest in rice gifts] In recent years, the presence of 'rice' in the gift market has risen rapidly. Search volume for 'rice gift' related keywords increased from approximately 750,000 in 2023 to over 1.25 million in 2025, a 160% increase. Once seen as a staple for celebrations, it has now established its position as a trendy 'gift of choice'. This expansion is driven by several social factors: 01. Re-evaluation of rice value due to shortages and price hikes. 02. Increased 'practicality' and 'life-defense orientation' due to inflation. 04. Growing demand for long-term storage and health consciousness. (Note: We recommend consuming rice within 30-45 days of the milling date). [Trend Symbol: Mother's Day demand up 21 times compared to 2023] While the market is booming, Hachidaime Gihey's online store saw a 184% increase in clicks, outperforming the market by 24 points. This shows that users are actively choosing 'Hachidaime Gihey's rice'. Our strength lies in our unique product lineup that fuses traditional Japanese beauty with modern sensibilities, such as 'cooking-specific blended rice' and the 'Junihitoe series' wrapped in colorful furoshiki. We continue to provide 'moving experiences' that go beyond mere food, responding to diverse needs through both products and information.