10500 yen for a melon makes for an expensive fruit salad.

The perception that Japan is expensive still exists even though it originates from their economic boom time in the 80s. Prices have not moved much for the last 20 years and they actually have an issue with deflation.  Living in Japan can be quite cheap. Why then does a melon cost 100 bucks. This is not just any ordinary melon. This is a melon that has been nurtured but also branded and marketed to buy as a gift for someone on a special occasion or a big thankyou. I have had the pleasure of tasting one of these expensive fruits and I have to say that it was in fact the most delicious melon I have ever had but I certainly would not buy one for myself. I much prefer to buy mine when I see them for $5.  Talking about fruit, make sure you try the strawberries when you are here in Japan. The taste is amazing.