I remember the first time I came to Japan, about 6 years ago, I was stunned by the high prices of food compared to back in New Zealand. However, with food price inflation in New Zealand at almost 30% over the past year, I wondered how this has changed. So I decided to try to do a few non-scientific comparisons. It is difficult, because food products are not standardised. Even something orange juice has many different varieties and qualities. I tried to choose products and brands that were as similar as possible, based on my experience having lived in both countries. I got NZ prices from the Foodtown website, which is a pretty average supermarket in NZ. I got Japan prices from my local branch of Seiyu (in Tokyo), which is a similar average supermarket over here. I used an exchange rate of 80 NZD per yen. I used regular prices, not special prices.

Here’s what I found:

Eggs: For standard eggs (not fancy free-range or anything), 10 (slightly small) eggs in Japan are 225 yen, or NZD 0.28 per egg. In NZ, size 6 (small) eggs are NZD 3.89 for 12, or NZD 0.32 per egg. So eggs are 15% more expensive in NZ.

Orange juice: 1L of “store brand” orange juice (not fresh) is 150 yen in Japan, which is NZD 1.88. In NZ it is NZD 1.97. So orange juice is 5% more expensive in NZ.

Coke: A 1.5L bottle in Japan is 168 yen, or NZD 2.10. In NZ it’s 2.59. Coke is 23% more expensive in NZ.

Milk: 1L of standard milk (not low-fat or anything special) goes for 178 yen in Japan, or NZD 2.23. In NZ, 1L costs NZD 2.39. Milk is 7% more expensive in NZ.

Kiwifruit: One kiwifruit costs 88 yen in Japan, or NZD 1.10. In NZ, one costs NZD 0.75. Kiwifruit are 47% more expensive in Japan.

Margarine: It’s hard to find a close comparison, but 50% olive oil margarine costs 248 yen for 140g in Japan, so NZD 3.10 per 100g. In NZ it goes for NZD 3.29 for 500g, so NZD 0.66 per 100g. Margarine is 237% more expensive in Japan.

Bread: People in Japan don’t eat so much bread, so it’s sold in small packets. One 340g packet of 6 slices of white toast bread goes for 97 yen in Japan, or NZD 0.36 per 100g. In NZ, 700g of white toast bread is NZD 1.79, or NZD 0.26 per 100g. Bread is 39% more expensive in Japan.

Soy milk: Japanese people drink a lot of soy milk, much more than regular milk. 1L of plain soy milk goes for 240 yen, or NZD 3.00. In NZ it’s NZD 3.29. Soy milk is 10% more expensive in NZ.

Overall, I was surprised that milk, orange juice and coke were more expensive in NZ compared to Japan. I was not surprised about the kiwifruit or margarine. Other comparisons of meat and vegetables are hard, because qualities and types vary a lot. However, my wife and I have been spending about 10% less per month on food in Japan compared to what we were spending back in NZ. Of course, our consumption bundle has changed a lot. And I lost weight, so it’s hard to reach a definitive conclusion about where is more expensive.