Table of contents:
Summary
The site explores the remarkable distinctions between fruits in Japan and Germany, highlighting the extraordinary prices and aesthetic qualities of Japanese produce. With a background rooted in Germany, the author is astonished by the exquisite appearance and taste of fruit in Japan, where a mango can range from 10 to 500 euros. Japanese fruits are regulated for size, color, and flavor, with farmers focusing on quality by cultivating fewer fruits to enhance sweetness through careful cultivation methods, including hand harvesting and even massaging melons. In Japanese culture, fruit is regarded as a luxury item and often given as a gift to express gratitude or honor, with perfection being paramount. The site also discusses the high prices of unique fruits, such as premium strawberries sold in lavish packaging, and the romantic connotations associated with certain fruits. Overall, the article delves into the cultural and economic significance of fruit in Japan, emphasizing its status as a symbol of luxury and aesthetics.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.
Comments
I actually find the article good, but I’m missing a few important points on the topic. Why do the fruits have to be perfect? How is the price determined? What happens to the rejected produce? For example, only the most beautiful melon is left to ripen and the others are cut off so that the plant can concentrate on just this one. In Europe, there’s a push to reduce food waste and the regulations for straight cucumbers, etc., have been relaxed so that even crooked ones can be sold. How do Japanese people see this? The more perfect something needs to look, the more rejected produce there is.
Liebe Monika, I'm glad you enjoyed the article. Thank you for your comment – we have already updated the post. But here once again is the answer to your questions: Fruit in Japan is seen as a luxury item, not as a "necessary" food. That's why fruit is often given as a gift (and is also considered a valuable present). For this reason, fruit has to look as attractive as possible. Produce that doesn't meet the standards is sold directly by farmers at markets or processed into vinegar or jams. Unfortunately, the Japanese agricultural cooperative has very strict guidelines regarding the appearance and taste of fruit that can be sold. When it comes to food waste, there's still a lot that needs to change at the political level. Best regards, Rafaela from RyuKoch
Dear Rafaela, Thank you very much for your reply. The article is now really detailed and still clear and well explained, you haven't left any questions unanswered. Best regards Monika
Hi Monika, thank you so much for your comment :) Best regards, Matthias and Ryusei
Tremendously well-written and vivid article.
Thank you very much! Best regards, Ryusei
I only found the article today and read it with interest. I think it’s good that there are stricter guidelines in Japan and that the fruit is well packaged. Much of what is sold as supposedly “fresh” fruit/vegetables in German supermarkets would certainly be unsellable in Japan. And that has nothing to do with crooked products, but with old, sometimes poorly stored and spoiled goods – unhealthy goods! Too often I see rotten, moldy fruit/vegetables here. If I only use the fresh and unspoiled items from a pack, I sometimes end up paying 20 euros or more per kilo.
Thank you, Gabi! It's true, the quality of fruit and vegetables in Germany sometimes leaves something to be desired. We could really learn a lot from Japan in this regard! Best regards, Ryusei
Beautifully explained and reported. We have just returned about a week ago from a trip to Tokyo and Kyoto, two beautiful cities, and everything in your report is exactly accurate... Japan is beautiful, the cuisine is amazing, and everything is so disciplined... We will visit again in February 2026... Wishing you good luck, Ryu-san...
thank you so much for your feedback.
Best regards, Ryusei