Page 1 of 15 12345678911 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 374
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    6,268

    Prices of goods in Fukuoka/Japan

    Japan has an (undeserved) reputation for being expensive, which it has failed to shake from the 90's...

    The Dickster is here to dispel (and misspell) that myth...

    True, Some imported, off season fruits, are expensive...but generally speaking, fruits and veges are much, much, cheaper than in Auckland.

    I will start with food/drink prices, some basic restaurant meals, etc...

    Prices I will quote in Yen/NZ dollar = 25 baht

    Currency converter here.. http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

    Will add to this as time permits.. Hope it's helpful.

    Starting with the essentials (alcohol first heh)...

    Here are some examples:




    Alcohol seems ridiculously cheap... Jim Beam $13 bucks a bottle WTF??.. $36 in NZ.. ditto for JD's, Kahlua, Malibu, Etc...




    Smirnoff Vodka for $12 dollars a bottle ($39) in Kiwi.

    right, now onto my meat...



    Chicken breasts $3.30 for half kilo $5 in NZ.
    most meat about 30% cheaper here than in Auckers..e

    This is entry level Wagyu steak... about the same price as average Kiwi beef per KG. Will be great on the BBQ.



    $1 measly dollar for a head of lettuce.. $5 in NZ (I shit you not).



    $1.30 for asparagus is cheap... 1 lemon is 30 cents each $5 for 4 lemons in Auckland!

    bear in mind, this is just from the local convenience store.. if you buy in bulk from farmers markets, it's much, much cheaper!

    Mackerel *very delicious

    $3.50 about $7 in NZ.



    Ditto with Salmon.. and it doesn't smell like at home.. very fresh (doooh it's Japan)...


    dunno why its upside down... anyway... Salmon NZ $10 here $4



    Tomatoes $5-8 in NZ... $2.50 here.





    $1.30 ea... 2 for $5 in NZ.

    Slightly cheaper than in NZ (mun farang I mean)...



    Crisps.. not too sure.. was on a diet prior to leaving... about the same I guess??



    Cheapo Olive oil... $1.30 much, much cheaper than in NZ.



    Milk $2.50 per litre... about the same as NZ.

    Almond milk (my fav) is a bit cheaper at $3 (compared with $3.90 in NZ).



    They don't have big bottles (3l though)...

    Proper stuff( Olive oil) bit cheaper here..



    upside down bento box (I like bento heh)... $5.50 about $10 + in NZ



    Club sandwich with garlic bread... $6 double in NZ.



    Dinner out for 2 (Indian) $20 (at least double in NZ).



    Pizza in a restaurant $3.50 over $10 in NZ.





    Fancy desert?

    $1 each! at least $4 in NZ...



    a $3 lunch lol... $10 in NZ... 2 curry buns and whatchamacallit... Oishi! aroi mak krup!



    Fancy Yakitori? $1.50 each meat dish... $5 in NZ



    Dinner out $40 bucks.. including x 2 Asahi beers...



    Eggs.. $2.50 $5 in NZ



    Dial a pizza... about same price as NZ.. but much, MUCH nicer...



    Healthy lunch... $2.50 $4 in NZ



    Cooked Carbonara, tasted better than home... and cheaper ingredients.. win win..



    Crepes, $3 ea $6 in NZ.



    Ice-coffee $4 ($5.50) in NZ.
    Last edited by NZdick1983; 02-08-2017 at 12:07 PM.

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    snakeeyes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    pattaya
    Posts
    9,524
    ^
    Send me a case of Vodka over to Ireland that's cheap for sure , NZdick1983 have you got a spare room I'll be over in two days time ,

  3. #3
    En route
    Cujo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    24-02-2024 @ 04:47 PM
    Location
    Reality.
    Posts
    32,939
    It's all relative to the local income though isn't it.
    If average income is equivalent to 50 dollars a month then 13 for a bottle of booze is a lot.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Chiang Mai
    Posts
    48,094
    Quote Originally Posted by NZdick1983
    True, Some imported, off season fruits, are expensive...but generally speaking, fruits and veges are much, much, cheaper than in Auckland.
    You are in the middle of summer, so a lot of fresh produce now very cheap.

    Taking a drive around the countryside and pulling up to farms where the produce sitting outside unattended is a treat. They are practically giving it away. Works by the honor system, just drop your coins in a box.

    Not the case when it gets too cold and everything comes from hothouses. All the prices go up.

    Fruits and vegetable never get that cheap in Tokyo, no matter the season.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    6,268
    ^ True that Misskit.. I wouldn't want to live in Tokyo.

    Quote Originally Posted by Cujo
    It's all relative to the local income though isn't it. If average income is equivalent to 50 dollars a month then 13 for a bottle of booze is a lot.
    Very true, Cujo.

    Average salary here is 30k per year... half of NZ... but they save more.. go figure..

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    6,268
    Quote Originally Posted by snakeeyes
    ^ Send me a case of Vodka over to Ireland that's cheap for sure , NZdick1983 have you got a spare room I'll be over in two days time ,
    Still awaiting our application for a house (4 bedroom) will document that process soon.

    That has been an adventure in itself...

    Sure we can help you out though Snake.

    Bought a car, still awaiting the documents to be processed so I can pick it up.

    Everything here is a multi-step process... can't even buy a car without a car-park.

    Sold our first shipment of honey already!... although we cheated.. sold to friends of family 55..

  7. #7
    I'm in Jail

    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Last Online
    25-03-2024 @ 12:07 PM
    Location
    Bungling in the jungle
    Posts
    10,387
    Do they really have the honor system for roadside vegetable stands? We do here in the states but only out in the countryside. I doubt it would go well in the city. We have eggs for 99cents a dozen and milk at under 3 dollars per gallon. The rest of the stuff seems pretty close. Can't imagine living on 30k. Do the CEOs make 2000 times what an average worker makes like they do here in the states. Or do they have some sense of equality or should I say fairness. I think I may know the answer allready as I believe greed is a universal phenomenon.

    Seems to be a good deal of you tubers/ Vloggers doing the cost to live in x, y or z these days. Allways interesting to see how the other half lives. Thanks for the info. Now on to the the Hello kitty restaurants please. Lets be frank, you know what I'm talking about here Dickie. On with the show.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    6,268
    555 once I get settled... I will investigate all the kinky stuff (just for you Fish)...

    so far, I have yet to see anything remotely kinky, weird (except my own reflection in the mirror)... everything and everyone seems normal, nice and conservative...

    But like I said.. I will delve deeper later...

  9. #9
    I'm in Jail

    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Last Online
    25-03-2024 @ 12:07 PM
    Location
    Bungling in the jungle
    Posts
    10,387
    So how much for a new loaded Toyota 4Runner? As I recall about 55k in Laos. But I really couldn't buy 100% in my name. That alone puts me off on the place. Hows it over there as far as bureaucracy is concerned. Visas and the like for any who may be interested in a long term stay or just a visit for that matter. Just curious as I never really thought about Japan as a place to stay. Maybe a visit sometime. Good luck with the move, enjoy..

    the fish

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    6,268
    Thanks Fish,

    I just bought a vehicle (Toyota Mark X) in my name, just waiting on delivery. Takes 2 weeks to process the documents, proof of parking, etc...

    Will document that process once I receive my car.
    Seems an easy place to live...I have a resident card 1 year which I can renew/extend next year for 3 years.

    Anyway, more dets to follow soon.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Palace Far from Worries
    Posts
    14,393
    Quote Originally Posted by NZdick1983 View Post
    I just bought a vehicle (Toyota Mark X) in my name, just waiting on delivery.
    My Dad used to work for a Major Car Company in the West so I have some connections.

    Made a few calls and hunted down an image of Dickie's Car.

    Enjoy ...


  12. #12
    Thailand Expat
    redhaze's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Just south of Uranus
    Posts
    3,167
    Quote Originally Posted by Cujo
    It's all relative to the local income though isn't it.
    If average income is equivalent to 50 dollars a month then 13 for a bottle of booze is a lot.
    This is true. Its still informative though, especially when you aren't making money in the local currency. Or spending in it for that matter...

    Quote Originally Posted by fishlocker
    (In the states) have eggs for 99cents a dozen and milk at under 3 dollars per gallon.
    Food is cheap in the US right now. Its weird because a few years back when gas was pricey it seemed like every other week the food prices would increase.

    Now, I am convinced there must be some deflation happening. A sampling of my local sales ads this week (these prices are typical):




    Boneless skinless chicken breast-$1.77/lb

    Whole milk, 1 gallon-$1.89

    Large cantaloupe-75 cents (for the whole thing, not per pound)

    Blueberries, 6 ounces-75 cents

    Hass Avacados-3 for $1

    1 Pound of sharp all natural aged cheddar-$1.99

    Red cherries, one pound-88 cents

    18 large eggs-$1

    Strawberries, 1 pound-87 cents



    I could go on. Been like this for almost two years now. Its unreal

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Last Online
    16-07-2021 @ 10:31 PM
    Posts
    14,636
    Japan outside Tokyo is not that expensive,

    thanks to 30 years of deflation, soon to be coming to our shores

    and then those prices will look expensive again

  14. #14
    I'm in Jail

    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Last Online
    25-03-2024 @ 12:07 PM
    Location
    Bungling in the jungle
    Posts
    10,387
    Kinda peaked an intrest about Japan so I looked on YouTube and immediately found a family that does a channel called Life where I'm from. Pretty interesting. He is in the Tokyo area. Said they average 47k per year, houses at 300k. I never saw a " pencil house" before. Definitely different than from what I'm used to. Looks as space is at a premium. A two meter wide house is enough for a car park so they do it.


    Twelve different zoning types for development of the area. Shoe lockers at the restaurant ect. The roll up bedding was reminiscent of Laos. Our farm house at over 3000 square feet for 30k seems a sweet deal in comparison. But then again nobody pulls 40k a year Id imagine that lives in the area. In the city though I'm sure some do if not way more if you own a decent business. No shortage of new vehicles in Pakse. An some real nice houses in places.

    Interesting stuff Dickie thanks for moving in this direction. And thanks for the input of others and the suggestion of doing the thread in the first place. This should roll out to be an interesting and informative thread.

    By all means carry on. Lets see the fish market. Oh and the theme restaurants with the bleach blondies of course.

    For the fish, naturally.
    Last edited by fishlocker; 02-08-2017 at 03:58 PM.

  15. #15
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Here
    Posts
    13,577
    Quote Originally Posted by NZdick1983 View Post

    Quote Originally Posted by Cujo
    It's all relative to the local income though isn't it. If average income is equivalent to 50 dollars a month then 13 for a bottle of booze is a lot.
    Very true, Cujo.

    Average salary here is 30k per year... half of NZ... but they save more.. go figure..
    Its sadly the way it always is. Move somewhere and its cheaper for many things but it only is an upside if you do not A)have to work to live in the country and B) came from a country with a very favorable exchange rate. I mean use Thailand for example. I couldn't imagine working and having to live on what the say middle class does ($1000 USD 30K baht) and try and own a car, live in a descent place and enjoy top shelf Scotch or bourbon. Living on 30K baht a month and retired is a bit different but trying to make ends meet. Tough in deed.

    Good Stuff Dicky.....

  16. #16
    En route
    Cujo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    24-02-2024 @ 04:47 PM
    Location
    Reality.
    Posts
    32,939
    Quote Originally Posted by NZdick1983 View Post
    Thanks Fish,

    I just bought a vehicle (Toyota Mark X) in my name, just waiting on delivery. Takes 2 weeks to process the documents, proof of parking, etc...

    Will document that process once I receive my car.
    Seems an easy place to live...I have a resident card 1 year which I can renew/extend next year for 3 years.

    Anyway, more dets to follow soon.
    How much was the car?

  17. #17
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Here
    Posts
    13,577
    Quote Originally Posted by redhaze View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Cujo
    It's all relative to the local income though isn't it.
    If average income is equivalent to 50 dollars a month then 13 for a bottle of booze is a lot.
    This is true. Its still informative though, especially when you aren't making money in the local currency. Or spending in it for that matter...

    Quote Originally Posted by fishlocker
    (In the states) have eggs for 99cents a dozen and milk at under 3 dollars per gallon.
    Food is cheap in the US right now. Its weird because a few years back when gas was pricey it seemed like every other week the food prices would increase.

    Now, I am convinced there must be some deflation happening. A sampling of my local sales ads this week (these prices are typical):




    Boneless skinless chicken breast-$1.77/lb

    Whole milk, 1 gallon-$1.89

    Large cantaloupe-75 cents (for the whole thing, not per pound)

    Blueberries, 6 ounces-75 cents

    Hass Avacados-3 for $1

    1 Pound of sharp all natural aged cheddar-$1.99

    Red cherries, one pound-88 cents

    18 large eggs-$1

    Strawberries, 1 pound-87 cents



    I could go on. Been like this for almost two years now. Its unreal
    Ya know RH, when my wife and I were back living in the US she always said how inexpensive the food was, especially fruits that she never got to enjoy in Thailand, like Cherries, Strawberries, Blackberries, Peaches and good apples etc. However once that novelty wore off and she saw how much houses cost, property tax, home owners insurance, electricity, water, cell phone contracts, internet, medical insurance, car reg, car insurance and some basic entertainment or travel you quickly see how expensive it is unless you plan on staying home and eating all the time. Of course its all relative if you have a job making $100 to $125K minimum a year as a base salary.

  18. #18
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Here
    Posts
    13,577
    I have to say, The US really knows how to drink good booze. I'd give anything for a BevMo in Thailand including US prices or a slight mark up. I have found Asian countries (in general) really import crap booze, especially Bourbon, Vodka, Rum and Tequila is nowhere to be found and no Jose Cuervo is not Tequila.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat
    redhaze's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Just south of Uranus
    Posts
    3,167
    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2
    Ya know RH, when my wife and I were back living in the US she always said how inexpensive the food was, especially fruits that she never got to enjoy in Thailand, like Cherries, Strawberries, Blackberries, Peaches and good apples etc. However once that novelty wore off and she saw how much houses cost, property tax, home owners insurance, electricity, water, cell phone contracts, internet, medical insurance, car reg, car insurance and some basic entertainment or travel you quickly see how expensive it is unless you plan on staying home and eating all the time. Of course its all relative if you have a job making $100 to $125K minimum a year as a base salary.
    Wife and I spend 30K a year or so living here, so would need a 40K base salary to survive after taxes (or 20K each if we were to break it down by individual salary). This year we are probably spending less. Maybe more like 25K. We obviously aren't in LA or NYC. We live frugally but well. We are here to work and save though. Plus we are living near our families which is a nice bonus.

    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2
    I'd give anything for a BevMo in Thailand including US prices or a slight mark up.
    Alcohol is a good value here. Really great local beer for either at or just over a buck a can. Shit beer can be had as low as around 60 cents (Budweiser, Miller, etc). Bev Mo is great, I frequent Total Wine and its actually even better

  20. #20
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Here
    Posts
    13,577
    Quote Originally Posted by redhaze View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2
    Ya know RH, when my wife and I were back living in the US she always said how inexpensive the food was, especially fruits that she never got to enjoy in Thailand, like Cherries, Strawberries, Blackberries, Peaches and good apples etc. However once that novelty wore off and she saw how much houses cost, property tax, home owners insurance, electricity, water, cell phone contracts, internet, medical insurance, car reg, car insurance and some basic entertainment or travel you quickly see how expensive it is unless you plan on staying home and eating all the time. Of course its all relative if you have a job making $100 to $125K minimum a year as a base salary.
    Wife and I spend 30K a year or so living here, so would need a 40K base salary to survive after taxes (or 20K each if we were to break it down by individualsalary). This year we are probably spending less. Maybe more like 25K. We obviously aren't in LA or NYC. We live frugally but well. We are here to work and save though. Plus we are living near our families which is a nice bonus.

    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2
    I'd give anything for a BevMo in Thailand including US prices or a slight mark up.
    Alcohol is a good value here. Really great local beer for either at or just over a buck a can. Shit beer can be had as low as around 60 cents (Budweiser, Miller, etc). Bev Mo is great, I frequent Total Wine and its actually even better
    You are doing it right RH. My wife and I did same approach and decided we would live tight but save loads to come back here and make our money work for us. I will tell you however being born and raised in Calif it was brutally challenging for me to not blow big loads of cash on stuff I wanted to. Wife was always looking at me with that "Look"

    Of course as we both know Location is everything. You can live in areas where housing and rent are dirt cheap but so are the salaries. Its all relative anywhere.

    BTW, I laughed a bit as $30 or $40K in Calif wouldn't get you by (rent alone would eat up 75%) Sadly you would be way under the poverty line. As a hiring exec avg salary is $22 in the tech field, supervisor near $30, Mfg Eng 1 start at $100K. Software and Test Engineers $100 to $150k.

    And Yes, the beer choices are outstanding and very cheap. a 6Pk of a select beer is about 90cents a bottle and its GREAT tasting plus so many little micro breweries with their own private stuff.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat
    redhaze's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Just south of Uranus
    Posts
    3,167
    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2
    BTW, I laughed a bit as $30 or $40K in Calif wouldn't get you by (rent alone would eat up 75%)
    That is absolutely correct. No way these numbers come close to working there

  22. #22
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Here
    Posts
    13,577
    Sorry Dicky, couple of us went off on a tangent about US stuff,

    Carry on with Japan......

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat
    redhaze's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Just south of Uranus
    Posts
    3,167
    Yep, sorry about that Dickie. I'm actually pretty surprised at how reasonable food seems there. Never been to Japan, but would have guessed food to be a great deal more. Particularly eating out

    Curious to know how much entertainment type stuff shakes out at

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    6,268
    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2
    Sorry Dicky, couple of us went off on a tangent about US stuff, Carry on with Japan......
    Not at all... all good bro, was interesting..

    Funny you should mention Tequila, bought a bottle with me for my house warming party... I love this stuff (hope you approve)..



    Cujo, cars.. yes.. Toyota Mark X... 30,000 km half a million yen $6,000 NZ... same car would be about twice that in Kiwi (with well over 100 kms). They export the shit cars to us.. keep the gems domestic...

    Searched for a couple weeks to find it...








    Thinking I might wrap the seats in leather... take possession of it first... let's see.. should I get a mechanical warranty?
    extra $400... the place I bought it from, will service it free for the life of the car.. in other words, anything needs doing/replaced
    I just pay for the parts...(labor is free)..

    Just trying to source insurance... around $400 annually 3rd party... will go into details of the car in another thread... ditto for my house, it deserves it's own thread.. trust me, it's quite involved.

    Last edited by NZdick1983; 02-08-2017 at 05:06 PM.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat
    redhaze's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Just south of Uranus
    Posts
    3,167
    Wow, that's a really nice looking car at that price. Toyota's are always a great buy. The fuckers just last forever.

Page 1 of 15 12345678911 ... LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •