Fruits are held to a very high standard in Japan, partly because they can be given as gifts to show respect. Fruit is often prized for its appearance, taste, or reputation, and often comes with a hefty price tag.
5. Square Watermelons: ¥20,000 ($180)
"Window of the Nishimura Fruit Shop in Shibuya, Tokyo" by Mustang Joe is licensed under CC0 1.0
An iconic fruit, Japan's square watermelons are grown in glass boxes to capture this perfectly geometric shape. They were originally designed for easy stacking in supermarkets and to fit snugly into Japanese refrigerators but have since become a fashion item. You can also get watermelons that look like a heart, a pyramid or other bizarre shapes. These watermelons are often only decorative, sacrificing flavor for cuboid excellence. Many are harvested before they are ripe to keep their shape. If kept properly, a square watermelon can last a whole year, just in time for the next crop.
4. Taiyo no Tamago Mangos: ¥500,000 ($4,540)
image: pixabay
Roughly translated as “Egg of the Sun” mangoes, these fruits are said to be fifteen times sweeter than a regular mango—it's almost like eating a pina colada! They are grown in Miyazaki prefecture, where farmers hang them from the tallest stems of their plant in order to catch the sun from all angles, giving them a uniform red color. The more sunkissed a mango is, the higher its value. Though you can buy lower quality Taiyo no Tamago Mangoes for as little as ¥25,000, a perfect specimen can be auctioned off for ¥500,000.
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3. Densuke Black Watermelon: ¥650,000 ($5,900)
"Densuke watermelon" by Yumi Kimura is licensed under CC 2.0
A prized watermelon that's not just for show, the Densuke Black Watermelon is a favored gift in Hokkaido. While its skin is a dark, chocolaty color, the inside is just as pink as a normal watermelon with an even sweeter taste. They are judged on their roundness, uniform-blackness and weight. Their scarcity keeps them in high demand, with suppliers regularly selling out of the rare treat.
2. Ruby Roman Grapes: ¥1,100,000 ($9,980)
image: pixabay
These Ishikawa prefecture fruits are the most expensive grapes in the world. Ruby Roman grapes have a strict set of standards they need to meet before going on sale; each grape must weight at least 20g and be over 18% sugar. There is also a "premium class" of grape; these have to weigh over 30g each and the combined total bunch must weigh at least 700g. The premium class are obviously the most valued and sought-after grapes ever grown.
1. Yubari King Melons: ¥5,000,000 ($45,360)
"Half cut Yubari Melon" via Public Domain
Another Hokkaido specialty, Yubari King melons are the most expensive fruits in the world. There are many luxury melons up and down the islands, but these are the most highly prized. Much like the other fruits on our list, these melons are also graded on their sugar content and appearance. They are split into four classes; Yuki melons are the lowest class and often defective, Shiro are average, Yama are near perfection, and Fuji are known to be flawless. Melon aficionados look for a perfect net pattern on the skin, as this indicates that the melon was kept in a perfectly moist and warm environment.
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