WTF….$70 Grapes!
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
We came across these white grapes for sale at a large department store in Kashiwa, a city just north of Tokyo.
While they look very tasty, I’m not quite sure they’re worth the approx. AUD$70 they worked out to be against the Aussie dollar at the time. With a stronger dollar, the Amercians could have enjoyed them for a mere USD$55!
The main part of the sign, which is all in katakana, translates as “Muscat of Alexandria” (ムスカット オブ アレキサンドルア) – a well-known type of “white” grape.
Related Words
| Kanji | Kana | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | ムスカット オブ アレキサンドルア | Muscat of Alexandria |
| 葡萄 | ぶどう | Grapes |
| N/A | ワイン | Wine |
| 葡萄園 | ぶどうえん | Vineyard |
| 酒 | さけ | Alcohol, Sake |
| N/A | ワイングラス | Wine Glass |
They are really good grapes and probably meant to be bought as a gift or present for someone. This is what we would usually buy someone who is sick or in hospital.
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LikeThat's sick. But what's even weirder is this: http://bit.ly/oWJqt8 Also this: http://bit.ly/nm47NF !
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LikeHave you seen the price for muskmelon in Tokyo? Crazy stuff, 40,000円 for a single melon in some fancy box. Can't imagine anyone paying that price for these fruits. That said, who needs to spend 100,000円 on a bag with a cheap-looking "LV" on the side at some uppity shop in Ginza? Doesn't stop fools with more money than brains from doing it, though -_-
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Likematigo Wow ¥40,000 is insane - makes the handbag look like a bargain ^^
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LikeI don't know if you've been to Okayama, but the grapes are really delicious there. We visited there are part of my study abroad program in 2008 and they literally had a grape buffet for us. (like 5-6 different types they grew) They are really intended to be purchased as a gift though. I was a little too broke to buy grades in Japan. I stuck to bananas.
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LikeCould it be that it's because they are -wine- grapes and not grapes meant for normal consumption (what most of us imagine in our lunch boxes from elementary school days)?
Just a random thought. They are -beautiful- grapes though, but I'm not sure I like ANY grape enough to spend that much on them. LOL
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LikeHigh-priced fruit is everywhere in Tokyo (And elsewhere) in the department stores. I've seen one rockmelon for $20, apples for $15 each and more. There's just a top range of fruit it seems. Having said that the local corner store is fairly cheap so it's not across the board but seems to be certain fruit and certain areas too.
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LikeHow much does the average Japanese worker earn? Who can afford US$ 55 for grapes?
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LikeYes a luxury I guess in a country with few natural resources. We pay stupidly high prices for example US electronics here in Australia too - sometimes double the US price so I guess anywhere you live there's going to be something that's expensive.
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LikeSorry to one up you but I found some grapes for 3 times that price about a month ago ;-)
I wonder how much that comes out to per grape...
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LikeLOL Ok you win. That's just insane!
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