When it comes to status — and exorbitant prices — "matsutake" mushrooms may be in the same league as caviar and truffles.
But this year's matsutake were a lot cheaper because of a plentiful harvest that owes its thanks to an optimal amount of rain in September.
However, "cheaper" is a relative term, as the delicacy still fetched prices of around ¥20,000 a kilogram this fall.