He Made A TikTok Video Showing Just How Insanely Expensive Fruits In Japan Are, And Here’s Why That Is

fotomaximum - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only
fotomaximum - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only

Can you imagine walking into your local grocery store, getting to the fruit section, and spotting a watermelon priced at $130?

This is the case in a Japanese grocery store that travel TikTok creator Steven (@allstarsteven) spotted during his adventures.

Steven makes tons of TikTok videos about life in Japan for his followers. His bio encourages people to follow him for “anything Japanese.”

His videos range from apartment tours to walking around Japanese convenience stores and pointing out some of the cultural differences.

In one of his more viral videos, he walks around a grocery store to look at the sky-high prices on some of the fruits that we can buy for a very cheap price in the United States.

For example, a pack of strawberries was equal to $12. Two peaches were $16. One pineapple went up to $20!

So why is fruit so expensive in Japan?

According to an article by TimeOut Tokyo, fruit is not really intended for casual snacking in Japan like it is in the United States.

“In many parts of the world, fruit is eaten as an everyday snack,” writes Jessica Thompson for TimeOut.

fotomaximum – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only

“But for Japan, it is regarded as a precious gift given to someone you want to impress, show your gratitude to, or wish well.”

The article also states that it is much harder to grow fruit in Japan. Because the country’s landmass is 80% mountains, there isn’t a ton of room for fruit crops, making the process of growing and selling fruit very labor-intensive.

Fruit that is given as a gift is also held to an extremely high standard, leading to an extremely high price.

“This regal status means the fruit must be a premium product worthy of gifting,” writes Emma Thompson. “In other words, they should be perfect and blemish-free.”

This would explain why some of the fruit shown in Steven’s video looks absolutely stunning. The melons look like they’ve been painted, the strawberries are large and bright red, and the pineapples are a lovely yellow with perfect leaves.

According to the TimeOut article, there is cheaper and more accessible fruit available in Japan. If you find yourself there, craving some fruit on a budget, be sure to seek out some of Japan’s most delicious fruits from local vendors when they’re in season. This includes figs, Asian pears, and mandarins.

If true crime defines your free time, this is for you: join Chip Chick’s True Crime Tribe

This 20-Year-Old From Pennsylvania Mysteriously Disappeared After Visiting A Swimming Hole With Her Boyfriend’s Friend, Who Claimed To Have Dropped Her Off At A Movie Theatre

Her Little Sister Is In Debt After Maxing Out Her Credit Card, But She Doesn’t Want To Give Her Sister Money Because She Believes She’ll Just Be Enabling Her

Early Retirement May Accelerate Cognitive Decline, According To New Research Conducted By Binghamton University

Scallop and Shrimp Pasta Is A Fancy Yet Uncomplicated Dish To Make For Valentine’s Day Dinner This Year

He’s Currently Visiting His Wife’s Family And After They Tried To Force Him To Sleep Alone On The Couch, He Booked A Hotel Room And Really Upset Them

Here Are 10 Affordable Valentine’s Day Dresses That You Can Get On Amazon, Regardless Of Whether You’re Looking To Get Fancy For A Romantic Dinner Or To Celebrate With Your Friends

Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.

More About: