Broke Travel Lover Tsubasa: August 2024

22 Aug 2024

Today, I went to Suntec, which is around 45 minutes away from my place by subway (or the MRT). The nearest stations are City Hall or Esplanade stations, in which I alighted at City Hall because I do not have to transfer trains.

Upon reaching City Hall, I proceeded to Meidi-ya by foot, via the City Link underground mall and Suntec. Meidi-ya is located at Millenia Walk. It is a Japanese supermarket selling various food items and produces from Japan. The items that caught my eye are the fruits. In Singapore/Malaysia/SE Asia, Japanese fruits are very expensive as they are meticulously packaged. Also, in Japan, fruits are seen as gifts for house visits, therefore the need for perfect blemish-free appearance. To ensure their appearance, meticulous care is needed, from the farmers to the courier that ship the fruits into Singapore.

Entrance to CityLink underground mall from City Hall MRT

Platypus Mexican Food at Citilink

Entrance to Suntec City from Explanade MRT

Millenia walk second floor where I just entered from Marina Square (shown in map below)

Meidi-ya second floor

Notice board and opening hours

Tofu section

Different vegetables from Japan

Seldom see Japanese grapes being sold at this price, $9.90!!!

Tofu prices for various types of tofu sold at Meidiya

Tesla Cybertruck Public Event at Millenia Walk. Also saw some exotic sports cars outside Millenia Walk, including a Lamborghini and a Ferrari, as well as a McLaren. However, I did not manage to get pictures because their owners were about to get back to their cars.

Conrad mooncake booth at Millenia walk

Lunch: Japanese pork rice at butahage Hokkaido

Inside Out 2 Soft toys claw machine at the arcade upstairs (besides Golden Village)

Junior Page atrium book fair

More Inside Out 2 merch claw machines at the arcade in the basement.

The arcade in the basement is also Cow Play Cow Moo, just like the one in Level 3.

Bought 2 items from the Toys R Us

Item 1: Tomica Studio Ghibli Spirited Away local train.

This item is made from the train in the 2001 classic Japanese anime movie Spirited Away, which is known as The Sea Railway in English. In the movie, the train travels one-way through the sea of the Spirit Realm. The young girl, Chihiro uses it to travel to Swamp Bottom. Many of the train's shadow-like passengers get off at various stops along the way, including no face kaonashi.

Let me recap what is Tomica. Tomica is a series of diecast toy vehicles manufactured by Takara Tomy, just like Hot Wheels and Matchbox are made by Mattel. Dream Tomica is the series of Tomica cars that are made from special licensed characters like those from Sanrio and Studio Ghibli.

These are the characters that are currently featured in the Dream Tomica Series at time of writing.

Source: takaratomyasia.com

Item 2: Matchbox Germany series 2022 black Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

This model is made by Matchbox and does come in different packaging as shown in the picture below. The one that I bought uses the Stars of Germany Card.

Source: matchbox.fandom.com

Update: 29th August 2024

I asked ChatGPT for the reasons why Japanese fruits are so expensive, here are the responses:

Me: mengapa buah sangat mahal di jepun?

ChatGPT: Buah di Jepang seringkali sangat mahal karena beberapa alasan:

Kualitas dan Penampilan: Buah-buahan di Jepang sering kali dipilih dan dibudidayakan dengan sangat hati-hati. Misalnya, buah seperti melon Yubari dan anggur Ruby Roman tidak hanya memiliki rasa yang sangat enak, tetapi juga penampilan yang sangat cantik. Buah-buahan ini sering kali dianggap sebagai barang mewah dan hadiah, sehingga harganya bisa sangat tinggi.
Teknik Pertanian: Teknik pertanian di Jepang sering melibatkan metode yang intensif dan cermat. Misalnya, petani mungkin menggunakan teknik khusus untuk memastikan setiap buah memiliki ukuran dan rasa yang optimal. Biaya tenaga kerja dan bahan yang tinggi juga berkontribusi pada harga akhir yang tinggi.
Keterbatasan Ruang: Jepang adalah negara dengan ruang terbatas untuk pertanian. Dengan lahan pertanian yang terbatas dan padat, biaya produksi buah cenderung lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan negara dengan lebih banyak ruang terbuka.
Permintaan dan Pasar: Buah-buahan berkualitas tinggi sering kali dianggap sebagai hadiah yang elegan dan prestisius di Jepang. Permintaan untuk buah-buahan premium yang berkualitas tinggi sering kali mendorong harga lebih tinggi, terutama jika buah tersebut menjadi simbol status atau prestise.
Biaya Transportasi dan Distribusi: Jepang adalah negara kepulauan dengan banyak pulau dan daerah pegunungan, yang dapat meningkatkan biaya transportasi dan distribusi buah-buahan ke berbagai wilayah.
Perawatan dan Penanganan: Buah-buahan sering kali diperlakukan dengan sangat hati-hati selama proses penanaman, panen, dan pengemasan. Ini termasuk memastikan bahwa buah tidak rusak selama penanganan, yang juga dapat menambah biaya.

Karena kombinasi faktor-faktor ini, harga buah di Jepang sering kali jauh lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan banyak negara lain.

Me: bolehkah terjemah ke inggris?

ChatGPT: Certainly! Here's the translation:

Fruit in Japan is often very expensive due to several reasons:

Quality and Appearance: Fruits in Japan are often carefully selected and cultivated. For example, fruits like Yubari melon and Ruby Roman grapes not only have a delicious taste but also an exquisite appearance. These fruits are frequently considered luxury items and gifts, leading to very high prices.
Farming Techniques: Japanese farming techniques are often intensive and meticulous. Farmers may use special methods to ensure each fruit reaches optimal size and flavor. The high costs of labor and materials also contribute to the final high price.
Limited Space: Japan is a country with limited farmland. With constrained open space and dense population, the cost of producing fruit tends to be higher compared to countries with more open land.
Demand and Market: High-quality fruits are often regarded as elegant and prestigious gifts in Japan. The demand for premium, high-quality fruits often drives up the price, especially when such fruits become symbols of status or prestige.
Transportation and Distribution Costs: Japan is an archipelago with many islands and mountainous regions, which can increase transportation and distribution costs for fruits across various areas.
Care and Handling: Fruits are often handled very carefully during cultivation, harvesting, and packaging. This includes ensuring that the fruit does not get damaged during handling, which can also add to the cost.

Due to this combination of factors, fruit prices in Japan are often much higher compared to many other countries.

Meidi-ya Home Delivery Service

At Meidi-ya, customers can also have their groceries delivered to their doorsteps, provided if they register as a member at a price of S$10.

User's Guide

Home Delivery Service is a hassle-free home shopping system. All you need is to register as a member and you can start shopping through Internet. We deliver your purchases up to your door step.
Terms & Conditions apply. See "Regulations" and apply online now.
You will be notified and given the membership number once the registration is completed, which takes about 10 days upon application (Initial Registration Fee: $10).

Step 1: Ordering

Place your order online (Orders received on Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday, delivery will be on the second day of the HDS working day).

1.	Selection
	You may order any product(s) as featured on our Online Home Delivery Service homepage.

2.	Out of Stock Item
	Despite our efforts in keeping sufficient stocks, "out of stock" situations may occur. We seek your understanding when we are unable to meet your requirements.

3.	Delivery Charge
	Enjoy Free Delivery for orders placed above $100. For orders placed below $100, a $10 delivery fee will be charged.

4.	Delivery and Delivery Time Frame
	The delivery time frame is from 10:00am to 1:00pm, Monday to Friday and there will be no delivery on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. Any order place after the cut-off time will be brought forward to the next subsequent delivery day. Order place on any Friday before cut-off time, delivery will be on the next HDS working day.For order place on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday, delivery will be on the second day of the HDS working day. The daily ordering Cut-off time is at 2:00pm. Any changes, additional or cancellation of item(s) must be done on the same day before the cut-off time.

5.	Change Of Particulars
	The procedure for changing of your address, telephone number and etc. takes about three working days (excluding Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday). Please be sure to change these information before you place your order. Please note that MEIDI-YA Supermarket shall not be held responsible for problems caused by your failure to complete the change on time. To submit a change, please fill in the changed information in the "Application form of amendment". » Application form of amendment *Please note in advance that any change of particulars such as address, telephone number and etc over the telephone will not be accepted.

Delivery Areas
Home delivery service delivery time frame: 10:00am - 1:00pm on Weekdays
Non-delivery areas
Delivery to certain parts of Tuas, Woodlands, Senoko, Sembawang and Changi might not be available. Please enquire about delivery to your area if it is in these areas.

Step 2: Ordering procedure

All payment must be made through Credit Card, VISA, MASTER. Please note that AMERICANEXPRESS and JCB are no longer accepted.

① Steps for Online shopping

Select a category you wish to browse on the left navigation bar on Online Shopping Page.
The page shows the items in the selected category in a table format on the main section of the page.
Enter the quantity you wish to purchase in the text box beside the item and click on Add to Cart to place them into your shop cart.
The page will refresh back to main menu. Repeat a) ~ c) till you finish shopping.
To delete item(s) from your cart, go to VIEW CART and click on the Remove button beside the item. The page will refresh and the item(s) remaining in your cart will be shown.
To change quantity, go to View Cart and click the Change button bellow the Quantity and edit the text box beside item.
Click on the Check Out button to proceed to the Check Out Page.
Fill in all blanks on the page. Click on the Submit to confirm your order.
Click on the Proceed to payment Portal to confirm your order.
Click Next after you have input your address and proceed to the payment site.
Click Next after you have input your credit card information.
Click Pay only once after you have confirmed your information and the payment amount.
A One Time Password (Authentication Number) will be sent to your mobile phone via SMS. Please key in the One Time Password in the next page within 3 minutes. Please note that for your security purposes the credit card will be disabled if the password is incorrectly keyed in repeatedly. *One Time password is not necessary by payment with Non 3D secure credit card.
When order-sending is completed, a transaction confirmation page will be displayed and you will receive two emails after ordering.
An order confirmation email will be sent from "web@meidiya.com.sg".
Please set and register so that you can receive emails.
① A Confirmation email with your order details ② A Confirmation email with your payment information (Receipt). Please note down Information stated in the Email ① for reference.

② From receiving your order to delivery

The person in charge of at MEIDI-YA confirms your order content and stock availability.
In the case when some products are out of stock, the final amount is confirmed after the deduction of the product cost. *In that case, we do not replace to alternative product(s).
Confirmed final amount is charged to your credit card.
(The amount has not been charged at the time of order and it was temporarily held. Final amount is charged to your credit card after the confirmation of the final amount by MEIDI-YA.)
The product ordered by you is to be delivered to you together with delivery slip stated with the final amount.
Please check if the final amount in your payment statement sent to you by card issuer later. Should you require any clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the person in charge.

With regard to delivery slip
*Final amount stated in the delivery slip is to be charged to your credit card.
Please keep it till you receive your credit card statement.
*The products stated with "NS" (No Stock) with line and those indicated with "$0" in the amount column are unfortunately out of stock. We appreciate your understanding on this matter.
* When the products are not delivered and there is no indication of NS" or "$0" or wrong products were delivered, kindly contact (6773-0002, between 9:00am to 2:00pm during weekdays) on the delivery date itself or by the following business day. We apologize for the inconvenience caused.

Step 3: Delivery

Delivery will be on the next day after placing the order.
(No delivery on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday)

Delivery Time & Date

We do not accept request of specific timing during the delivery time frame between 10:00 -13:00.

Receiving Party

Please ensure that you or a family member is present during our delivery of your purchases to your home as per your requested delivery time-frame. During your absence upon our delivery, our delivery staff shall leave your purchases outside your doorstep. Being such, MEIDI-YA Supermarket shall not be held responsible for any loss or damage or deterioration to your purchases. In the event of your absence, please inform your Condominium/Apartment Management or Security Officers of your expected delivery. Please also note that if our delivery staff is not able or not allowed to access to your doorstep to deliver your purchases, your purchases shall then be re-delivered to you on our next delivery day. Being such, MEIDI-YA Supermarket shall not be held responsible for all perishable and deteriorated products.

Cooler Bags

Return the cooler bag to our delivery staff at the next delivery or within one (1) month from the date of use, and ensure that he signs on Invoice for acknowledgment of collection. Alternatively, if there is no scheduled delivery within a month, you can drop it off at MEIDI-YA Supermarket Delivery Counter during business hours with your membership number attached clearly for recognition.

Please be reminded of the penalty fee imposed on cases of:

Failure to return within 1 month	$15 per bag
Loss of bag	$30 per bag

Security Measures

For security measures, all our delivery staffs are instructed not to enter into customers’ premises, therefore please be advised that your purchases will only be delivered to your doorstep.