With gold prices soaring worldwide in recent times, a dessert shop in Japan has reportedly found itself facing unexpected challenges.

On October 7, Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting reported that the cost of producing soft ice cream at 'Ochano Izumien,' a dessert shop located near Kumamoto Castle in Japan, has risen significantly due to the recent surge in gold prices.

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Ochano Izumien is a well-known dessert destination in the Kumamoto region, offering gelato, lattes, and shaved ice made with green tea and matcha. The 'Gold Leaf Soft Cream' has become the shop's signature menu item and is called the 'ice cream to enjoy with your eyes' among tourists.

The signature menu, 'Kumamoto Castle Gold Leaf Soft Cream,' is completed by placing a thin sheet of gold leaf over matcha ice cream. While many say the gold leaf adds visual splendor rather than affecting the flavor, it has gained popularity among tourists as an ice cream reminiscent of a local souvenir.

According to the shop, the gold leaf is edible gold with a gold content exceeding 90%, currently accounting for more than 70% of the cost of one ice cream. A representative said, "When the wholesale price of gold rises, we are directly affected," adding, "New employees work with a sense of tension, as even a small mistake in applying the gold leaf results in a significant loss of cost."

The surge in gold prices has also affected the actual selling price. The company explained, "Since it is a representative product frequently visited by tourists, it was difficult to raise the price easily, but last spring, the gold price rose so much that we had no choice but to increase the price by about 200 yen."

Ochano Izumien is a famous dessert spot in the Kumamoto region of Japan. In particular, the 'Gold Leaf Soft Cream' has become the signature menu item of this shop and is known among tourists as an "ice cream enjoyed with the eyes."

According to the shop, the gold leaf is edible gold with a gold content exceeding 90%, currently accounting for more than 70% of the cost of one ice cream.

The soaring price of gold has also affected the actual selling price. The company explained, "Since it is a representative product frequently enjoyed by tourists, it was difficult to raise the price easily, but last spring, due to the sharp increase in gold prices, we had no choice but to raise the price by about 200 yen."

The representative added, "The price of gold leaf has increased nearly threefold compared to five years ago. Although gold leaf suppliers are suggesting alternative materials or different presentation methods, we want to maintain the current form as much as possible because our customers love it."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that other gold leaf ice cream specialty shops in Japan are facing similar difficulties recently. Some dessert shops in gold leaf production areas such as Kanazawa and Kyoto have also expressed concerns, saying, "If the upward trend in gold prices continues, price adjustments will be inevitable."