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Sherri

Is it my imagination or it really getting much cheaper to live here --and by here I mean Tokyo and perhaps other parts of Japan. I know all about deflation and I am the first to remind people who gripe about the stagnant wages here but I never really noticed a big change in prices.

However recently I have been shocked at the low prices I have been coming across (and I guess I should say that after all the time I have spent here I am pretty desensitized so people reading this who are based elsewhere will think I am crazy to think these prices are cheap). We have been shopping at big places like Costco and Hanamasa and bulk buy and freeze. Examples: 20 heads of garlic for 150 yen, 8 chicken b reasts less than 500 yen, big bag of potatoes for 200 yen--I could go on and on. Even my local supermarket is offering specials on fruit and veggies like today I got a bunch of asparagus for 87 yen.

Have you guys and gals out there in Japan found the same?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

neither store is up here in Sapporo.
haven't seen any change in prices in 5 years.

3rdEye · Joined: 19 Oct 2003 Posts: 35

I notice too.

3rdEye · Joined: 19 Oct 2003 Posts: 35

Over the years in Kinki I have noticed the price dropping on particular goods, especially fresh produce and processed foods at chain supermarkets. By contrast I think the small private grocers are getting slightly expensive. I think it has to do with the increasing trends toward agribusiness, wholesalers and consolidated retailers edging out the local mom and pop privateers. Its bad news for the little people who own private businesses, but good news for the little people who are customers looking for bargains. As for restaurants I have noticed sometimes it can be cheaper to eat out here than in Canada or UK, even for a similar menu item. Although the specialty foods and trendy restaurants still can be expensive, I do agree it has been getting cheaper generally. Good news for frugal gourmets by necessity, such as moi. All this talk about food is making me hungry. Happy dining!

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I'm glad the price of gas has dropped a bit. Certainly not something I've ever been used to.

Smooth Operator · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 140 Location: Japan

If you shop at the market you can usually save quite a bit of money on fruit and vegetables. For example, 50yen for about 6 bananas, 80yen for 5 peppers, 100yen for 6 or more large onions etc. I even saw prices like this in a supermarket last week....

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

Unfortunately I haven't seen a dramatic drop in prices in the 4 years I've been here. In fact, if anything, they've been stagnate. And if the government gets its way, the consumption (sales for us Americans) tax is expected to reach double digits (10-12%) sometime in the next 10 (?) years.

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

I just came across this site:

http://www.ex.ac.uk/cimt/res2/calcs/calcoljp.htm

It's a cost of living calculator of sorts. Apparently, now is the cheapest that Japan has ever been in the last ten years. But by a really small margin.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

I'm wondering whether the apparent drop in prices some of us notice is actually the result of us becoming more adept at shopping here. You know, like the bargains were always there but we just didn't know it. Anyone else feel this is the case?

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

I suppose I should have clarified my point a little better. I have indeed seen prices on certain items come down in the past few years, but these are mainly "high-ticket" products such as DVD players and the like. In fact I saw one today for 6,900 yen with a lovely Hanshin Tigers logo on it. However, for the most part, household goods and food haven't dropped significantly in my opinion. Although there are "bargains" (seems odd to use that word in reference in to anything in Japan) to be found, they are still the exception, not the rule. My Japanese co-workers still go to Korea as often as possible and rave about how cheap everything there is. Take that for what's it worth. Never been there myself.

Sherri · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2003 7:07 am Post subject:

I'd like to think that after being here 10 years + that I have improved my shopping technique, so that may be part of it. But still places like Costco and Hanamasa were just not around until recently. 100 yen shops have might have been around, but they have really improved and have got a lot bigger. This all might be a Tokyo thing too--prices were so high here before they could only go down.

There is a delivery service for Costco. I have never used it but I have heard they do a good job:
http://www.theflyingpig.com/tfp/Shop.ASP

Also if you and your computer can read Japanese:
http://www.hanamasa.co.jp/default.php?gid=0

Thanks for all your responses and may you find many a bargain this weekend!
S