【Know Your Enemy #1】The Netherlands' 'Staple Foods' and Cost of Living | Gouda Cheese, 23 Million Bicycles & How Many Times More Expensive Is It Than Japan?
A deep dive into the home country of Japan's Group F opponent in the June 15 World Cup opener, exploring the Netherlands through food and daily life. Gouda cheese at roughly ¥2,200 per kg, 23 million bicycles, open-faced sandwiches as a staple, and a cost of living 1.5 to 3 times higher than Japan—the first installment of the 'Know Your Enemy' series, packed with Group F trivia you can share tomorrow.
June 15, 05:00 JST — the Netherlands, Japan's first opponent at the North American World Cup. Episode 1 of our "Know Your Enemy" series takes a peek at the Orange Nation's home country through its food and daily life. Perfect talking points for tomorrow's morning meeting or classroom — the surprisingly ordinary world of Japan's Group F rivals.
info Netherlands | GROUP F — Matchday 1 Opponent
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Match Date & Time | Monday, June 15, 2026 — 05:00 JST |
| Venue | AT&T Stadium (Dallas / USA) |
| FIFA Ranking | 7th (Japan: 18th, as of April 2026) |
| Nickname | Orange Nation (Oranje) |
| Population | Approx. 18 million |
sports_soccer The Staple Food Is "Cheese on Bread" — The Home of Gouda
Cheese — called kaas in Dutch — sees the Netherlands produce around 750,000 tonnes per year, making it the world's 4th-largest cheese exporter. The most iconic variety is Gouda, whose flavour changes with aging; in Dutch supermarkets, 1 kg costs around €13 (approx. ¥2,200). That may sound steep, but it's actually one-half to one-third the price you'd pay for Gouda cheese in Japan.
Breakfast typically means open-faced sandwiches — kaasbroodje — made with rye or wholegrain bread topped with butter, ham, and sliced cheese. Even the national team players are said to reach for these simple cheese sandwiches regularly at training camps.
info Other local food highlights:
- Haring — raw herring tossed straight into the mouth; a quintessential Dutch street food
- Friet — thick-cut fries eaten with a generous dollop of mayonnaise
- Stroopwafel — a syrup-filled waffle rested on top of a coffee cup so the heat melts the syrup inside
local_fire_department How Much More Expensive Is It Than Japan?
As of early 2026, the Netherlands' inflation rate stands at approximately 2.4%. Here's how prices compare with Japan:
| Category | Japan → Netherlands Price Difference |
|---|---|
| Supermarket groceries | 1.3×–1.5× |
| Casual dining out | 2×–3× |
| Train / tram | Approx. 2× |
| Hotel | Approx. 2× |
| Cheese | 1/2–1/3 (actually cheaper) |
"Buy one, get one free" deals are common at supermarkets, so locals know to make the most of coupons and sales. Because eating out is expensive, Netherlands players are also known to rely heavily on the team chef's in-house kitchen or self-catering.
star A Nation of Cyclists — 1.27 Bikes per Person
The Netherlands has approximately 23 million bicycles for a population of around 18 million — that works out to roughly 1.27 bikes per person, making it the world's leading cycling nation.
- The bicycle parking facility in front of Amsterdam Centraal station has 3 floors and holds over 11,000 bikes
- Children start riding without training wheels around age 3, and cycle to school once they start primary school
- Rental bikes called OV-fiets are available at every station
info At the national team's training base in Zeist, players and staff can regularly be seen cycling to the training ground. Lower bodies conditioned by a lifetime in the saddle — that is the physical foundation of the Dutch footballer.
favorite Three Keywords for Reading "the Netherlands" on June 15 at 05:00 JST
1. Height Built on Cheese
The average height of Dutch men is 183.7 cm — the tallest in the world. Daily consumption of Gouda cheese and its calcium is often cited as a contributing factor. The national team's defensive line is packed with players standing over 190 cm.
2. Lower-Body Strength Built on Cycling
Growing up cycling to school every day, with school PE pairing swimming and football as standard. Many players are said to excel not so much in explosive pace but in the endurance to keep running for 90 minutes.
3. High Cost of Living — a Mentally Tough Breed
For players accustomed to living costs more than double those in Japan, the inconveniences of an away WC 2026 in North America are practically home turf. Winning the aerial battle overhead, tracking down a cheese sandwich and friet wherever they land — it all points to an adaptability that makes you say, "That's so Netherlands."
info Tomorrow's Talking Points
- "The Netherlands squad grew up on Gouda cheese — and that cheese costs just one-third the Japanese price back home. No wonder their defenders are clearing 190 cm."
- "There are more bikes than people — 1.27 per person. Even at the national team training camp, players cycle to the pitch."
- "Eating out in the Netherlands costs several times more than in Japan. Apparently that's why the players look forward to the team chef's home cooking."
info Related Links
- article Japan National Team WC 2026 — Full 26-Man Squad
- article Group F Opponents: Netherlands / Tunisia / Sweden
- article Viewing Guide: How to Watch Japan vs Netherlands
- article 【Breaking】Japan National Team WC 2026 — Official 26-Man Squad Announced