Pop Japan

Japan, more specifically Tokyo, is known to have a high cost of living. Some of the most expensive, yet the most rare and delectable food are found here as the Japanese continuously innovate and stick to being "perfectionist."

These can also be rooted in the Japanese custom of giving gifts to business associates and bosses as an accolade or as token of appreciation. That's their way of keeping relationships intact.

Fruits are often the common option, especially the sophisticated one. These high-end fruits give lasting impression to the receiver. In order to meet the demand, different fruit boutiques popped out in the market and the farmers' innovative green fingers grown more beautiful fruits.

10. Milk - Look for the brand of Nakazawa Foods. The milk is believed to ease stress. The milk is taken from the cow once a week at dawn, the time when the animals release melatonin, a hormone that can lower anxiety or even depression.
Cost: around $43

9. Kobe Pizza - Domino will give you a different kind of pizza experience. This could be the most expensive pizza, topped with potato, onion, deluxe steak sauce, and the coveted Kobe beef.
Cost: around $66

8. Fugu - Japan is the only country that serves the poisonous pufferfish. The Japanese Chef must undergo rigorous training to get certification allowing to serve fugu. One fugu sashimi, please!
Cost: around $100

7. Square Watermelon - The ever popular square watermelon also comes with other shapes. Grown only in Japan.
Cost: around $200-$800

Photo by Joi Ito. Licensed under Creative Commons.

6. Matsutake Mushrooms - These are rare mushrooms which are the most expensive of its kind. Its rarity was caused by the bugs that killed the trees where they grow under. These mushrooms are also one of the symbols of longevity of the Japanese.
Cost: around $1,000 per pound

Photo by Tomomarusan. Licensed under Creative Commons.

5. Wagyu Beef - The ever controversial beef of all-time. It is believed to be the highest quality of beef from Japanese cows. The marbling is perfect and the cows are then pampered before they reach their final destination - the dining table.
Cost: around $500 to $2,800

Photo by Keren Tan. Licensed under Creative Commons.

4. Ruby Roman Grapes - These are like jewels hanging from a vine, grown strictly in Ishikawa Prefecture. The premium class of grape must have a red color, weighs 30 grams each and 700 grams in a bunch, and must have size alike of a ping-pong ball. Would you eat one if it's worth a staggering $110?
Cost: around $4,000 per bunch

3. Densuke Black Watermelon - There's nothing special with this watermelon but its rare black color. Grown from the land of Hokkaido, it is definitely the most expensive watermelon. How about getting the seeds as remembrance?

Photo by [puamelia]. Licensed under Creative Commons.

2. Yubari King Melons - The top grade watermelon is often sold in pairs. It is a hybrid of two cantaloupes and is celebrated for its soft features, juicy sweetness, and exquisite proportions. In stores, they are priced $50 to $100 each, but it was auctioned as much as $26,000 for a pair.
Cost: around $100-$26,000

1. Toro - Toro comes from the fatty belly of a blue fin tuna. Like wagyu beef, the expensive tuna is also graded according to their marbling. It is commonly used for sushi.
Cost: around $173,600

Photo by Chris Chen. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Sources: therichest.com, sushifaq.com

Banner photo by Alpha. Licensed under Creative Commons.