1. Yubari King Melon

The Yubari King melon stands out as the most renowned among Japanese premium fruits. In specialized fruit stores in Tokyo, you can anticipate shelling out approximately $200 for a single melon. These melons are highly valued as gifts and symbols of social status.

In 2010, a beverage company went above and beyond, purchasing a pair of Yubari King melons for a staggering $45,000 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of their melon-flavored mineral water.

These melons are particularly prized for their aromatic profile and taste, which is both sweet and mildly spicy, featuring hints of pineapple. This is a stark contrast to the uninspiring specimens typically found in ordinary supermarkets.

2. Japanese Ruby Roman Grapes

A solitary cluster of these exclusive luxury grapes can command a price ranging from $90 to $450. However, acquiring them may prove challenging, as only 24,000 clusters are harvested annually.
Introduced in 2008, this succulent, sweet, and low-acid variety is exclusively cultivated and marketed in Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture.
Before reaching the market, each cluster undergoes a meticulous inspection, ensuring criteria such as flavor, uniformity in the distinct ruby color, and size are met. Notably, Ruby Roman grapes attain a considerable size, with each grape matching the dimensions of a ping pong ball.
These grapes are categorized into three classes: superior, special superior, and premium.

3. Pineapples from the Lost Gardens of Heligan

    To demonstrate that rare and pricey fruits aren’t exclusive to Japan, consider European pineapples. These unique pineapples are exclusively cultivated in the Lost Gardens of Heligan, located in Cornwall, UK.

    Limited quantities are meticulously nurtured within a Victorian glasshouse known as the pineapple pit, employing an 18th-century technique.

    The process involves the use of significant amounts of fresh horse manure and urine-soaked hay to generate heat in the pit. Bringing these pineapples to peak sweetness demands an abundance of tender loving care.

    Due to the minimal yield each year, these pineapples are not commercially available. However, if one were to be auctioned, it is estimated that the price could reach an astonishing $16,000. Since they are not sold, the precious harvest is shared among the dedicated staff of the exceptionally productive garden at Heligan.

    4. Taiyo No Tamago Mango (Miyazaki Mango)

      These mangoes, known as the “egg of the sun,” derive their name from the Miyazaki prefecture in the Kyushu region, although they originate from the Irwin mango cultivar.
      What sets these exclusive mangoes apart and justifies their premium price range of $50 to $3,600 is their remarkable sweetness and stunning coloration.
      Their shades can vary from a vibrant orange or red to a regal purple. The pulp boasts a luxuriously soft texture, and remarkably, the skin is edible as well.

      5. Square Watermelon

        If you find yourself frustrated by the colossal size of traditional watermelons monopolizing your fridge space, the prospect of a cubed watermelon might offer a solution to this predicament.

        Understandably, you might be willing to pay a bit extra for this unique shape. While the price range of $200 to $800 may appear steep for an ordinary watermelon, the novelty of its shape is a contributing factor.

        Fortunately, there’s good news – you can actually find a square watermelon for as low as $100!

        6. White Jewel Strawberry

        Exclusive to a lone producer in the Saga prefecture of Japan, White Jewel strawberries command a price of approximately $10 each.
        Despite this seemingly high cost, they are roughly three times larger than a standard, sizable strawberry, meaning fewer need to be purchased to satisfy your berry cravings.
        Although some specimens may acquire a natural pinkish hue when exposed to sunlight, the finest White Jewels maintain their distinctive white color.
        Contrary to expectations of tastelessness or sourness due to their appearance, these strawberries are remarkably sweet and emit a fragrance reminiscent of pineapple.

        7. Dekopon Citrus

        Despite the minimum cost of $14 for each Dekopon citrus or $80 for a pack of 6, their appeal is extending beyond Japan to places like California and beyond.

        Resembling a substantial mandarin, these fruits can reach a weight of up to 1 pound each, and their distinctive top-knot shape has earned them the nickname “Sumo citrus.”

        8. Sekai Ichi Apples

        Each apple costs about $21.The higher cost is attributed to its rarity and distinctive appearance. Featuring a flawless red peel, each massive apple weighs between 1 and 2 pounds. Unfortunately, due to their size, each tree can produce only a limited number, making mass production challenging.

        While these apples appeal to the Japanese appreciation for perfectly shaped and colored fruit, many apple enthusiasts find that the taste is nothing extraordinary.

        If you’re looking for large apples to make a striking statement in your fruit bowl or wish to present an impressive fruit gift, investing in Sekai Ichi apples may be worthwhile.

        9. Buddha-Shaped Pears

        Farmers in China’s Hebei province are credited with cultivating the Sage pear. This unique fruit boasts a solitary Buddha design, and it is meticulously pruned to maintain its distinctive shape, aligning with the practices of other stylish orchards in Asia.

        If you’re interested in experiencing this particular fruit, it will cost you approximately $9 per piece.