Putting your money where your mouth is
...written on 07.21.02, @ 8:07 p.m.
Sun July 21, 2002
So, is food in Japan expensive?
You tell me . . .
| Product | Yen | US$ |
| half head lettuce | 78 yen | $.67 |
| sm box granola | 298 yen | $2.57 |
| sm box corn flakes | 298 yen | $2.57 |
| coffee(12cups) | 200 yen | $1.72 |
| cherry tomatoes | 198 yen | $1.70 |
| 3 small eggplants | 148 yen | $1.28 |
| 8 slice breadloaf | 158 yen | $1.36 |
| baby carrots | 98 yen | $.85 |
| kyoho grapes | 498 yen | $4.30 |
| 5 sm grn peppers | 78 yen | $.67 |
| 1 med zucchini | 148 yen | $1.28 |
| half dozen eggs | 178 yen | $.67 |
| spaghetti | 228 yen | $1.97 |
| Total | 2,588 yen | $22.48 |
Granted, I don't shop at the cheapest place, but it's not Kroger either. I refuse to go without fruit, so I usually buy what's in season, which generally goes for between 400 and 500 yen. I saw 4 small slices of watermelon today for 300 yen. Cokes out of the machine are about $1.12. In restaurants, a glass will cost you between 300-500 yen (US$ 2.59-$4.31) A McDonald's Double Burger set (size M, which is S in US) is 525 yen or US$4.53.
So, if you come to Japan for a visit, don't forget to pack your lunch! I wonder if my friend Eric could send me some cheap eggs?