Why Japanese Fruits Are So Expensive 2 Melons for 1.5 million yen!

In this article, I will tell you about the incredible differences between fruits in Japan and those in Germany. I grew up in Germany and have known the prices, appearance, taste and packaging here since childhood. That’s why I could hardly believe my eyes in Japan when I saw how perfect the fruit looks there – and how expensive it is too! A mango can cost between 10 and 500 euros. Even if the fruit from the Japanese supermarket looks like it’s from a picture book – in Germany, normal earners would probably never spend that much money “just” for beautiful fruit!

What makes Japanese fruit so special?

In short: It’s beautiful and tastes absolutely delicious! There are various regulations of the Japanese agricultural cooperative that determine the size, color and flavor palette of the fruit for sale. In addition, usually only a very few fruits are grown on a single bush or tree so that they can develop a maximum sweetness and an excellent taste. 

Fruits are boutique goods

Japan’s land mass consists of 80% mountains. This means that there is hardly any space for large fruit farms. Most fruit in Japan is therefore produced by farmers who only have a few plants, but who put all their energy into perfecting the fruit from them. For example, with the famous watermelons of the Shizuoka region, only one melon grows per plant. The young melons are regularly massaged by the farmer to achieve a higher sweetness level. Fruit is also almost always harvested by hand. For sale, they are placed in valuable packaging or individually packaged in cellophane.

Fruit as a gift

Fruit in Japan is not simply food, but has a very special place in society and culture. It is not seen as a snack, but as a luxury item – the more perfect the fruit, the more exclusive it is as a gift! Fruit is given when gratitude or respect is to be expressed, or when the Japanese want to impress or pamper someone. Even after particularly chic dinners, sliced fruit is often offered. Because fruit has this exclusive status, it must also be absolutely flawless and presentable: Without dents or pressure marks, perfectly rounded and in attractive, appetizing colors. Besides particularly beautiful fruits, other gourmet foods are also popular gifts: These include tea and even steaks!

Luxury: Fruit

On the one hand, the fruits that are already perfect in appearance are usually gifted. On the other hand, there is also very special fruit that is sold at top prices of over 3,500 euros. For this stately sum, for example, a particularly exclusive grapevine can be bought as a wedding present! There are also cube-shaped or black watermelons and pentagonal oranges.

Strawberries in Japan

A package of 9 strawberries, all of which are the same red color, have no dents, have a perfect shape and are also wrapped in padding, costs 20 euros in the supermarket. The price can also go much higher, such as with white strawberries, which can also cost over 100 euros. These strawberries are given as gifts for special occasions in Japan instead of chocolates, as we know them.

Romantic strawberries

Strawberries are considered a very romantic fruit in Japan. That’s why they are especially popular with lovers.

Apples in Japan

Japanese apples are also very different from German ones. In the normal supermarket you pay 7 euros for 3 apples.

Honeydew melon in Japan

Honeydew melons are among the most expensive fruits in Japan. When I wanted to buy a melon at the supermarket, the price was 33.52 euros. Quite a lot when you consider how much you would pay for it here in Germany. Even if Japanese melons look much nicer and taste sweeter, it’s not worth it for me to buy them. People with thicker wallets can treat themselves to very special honeydew melons with a perfect pattern for up to 11,000 euros. You can get these luxury melons in chic boutiques that resemble jewelry stores. The fruits are stored there behind closed glass display cases, and the decor in these shops is very elegant.

Grapes in Japan

Grapes in Japan are very thick and the size of a German strawberry. They taste incredibly sweet and all have the same appearance. You pay about 9 euros for a normal bowl in a supermarket.

Is all fruit in Japan perfect?

You can easily get deformed or not quite perfect fruit if you shop at farmers’ markets. Farmers are allowed to sell fruits there that don’t look quite as drawn. Also in the countryside, outside of big cities, you get “normal” fruit if it’s in season. Farmers often process “defective” fruit into vinegar or marmalade. 

Food Waste in Japan

Unfortunately, the desire for perfect fruit results in a lot of avoidable food waste. While fruit in Western supermarkets is often allowed to stay on the shelves for 3-4 days, in Japan it is often disposed of after only 1-2 days. However, since there is no “mass production” of fruit as we know it, much more effort is made to keep the few products produced as attractive as possible.