Produce

Grocery prices here vary. Most veggies are reasonably priced, red meat is very expensive, and fruit is practically untouchable. Since Japan is an island, a lot of stuff is shipped in from around the world, and the prices show. Pineapples, berries, apples, and melon are SO unbelievably expensive I don't even know how they sell it. A "regular" size carton of strawberries (like what you would normally find in American stores) goes for $9 here. You can find strawberries for $2.50-$3, but it's going to be a 2oz package with 7 berries in it. Blue berries are even worse. You would think they were gold. Blue berries often run $5 per ounce.

Unless we buy a can of fruit salad, I don't think I'm going to eat melon while we are here. A wedge of watermelon (just a wedge, not the whole thing) can cost $5, and I found cantaloupes for $20 each!!! Most things in Japan are cheap, but certain foods are just nuts. There are a few things that I will never again complain about the price of in America.