5 Reasons Why Japan Does Watermelon Better

Don't say you love watermelon until you've tasted the Japanese version of this summer treat.

As a preschool teacher in Japan, I often hear (and use) the question, “What is your favorite fruit?” For me, the answer is easy: watermelon—but not just any watermelon, Japanese watermelon! You see, I’ve devoured watermelon in the Middle East, Europe, America, Australasia and Asian countries outside of Japan. However, I stand by my word that the Japanese watermelon is one in a melon (forgive me, I had to!)

If you’re not on the same page (yet) and you’re still not sure why these watermelons are special, let me explain.

1. Nom Factor: You’ve Got A Winner!

© Photo by iStock: Hakase_

Watermelons are sweet regardless of which part of the world you’re enjoying them in, but nothing compares to the Japanese watermelon—these babies are crazy sweet and delicious! The main reason behind this is that watermelon in Japan, like many other fruits, is considered a luxury: something you’d give to really important people as a thank you or summer gift rather than something essential for your seasonal diet.

With that in mind, farmers in Japan grow watermelons as if they were a piece of rare jewelry to please your guts: they choose the perfect soil, the perfect seeds, the perfect pruning methods and everything else to make them look and taste heavenly—if watermelons could be massaged, I bet that’d happen, too! To add to that, Japanese watermelon’s rind is much thinner than all other kinds I have eaten (i.e, countless), meaning, you’re getting plenty more for your buck.

2. Shapes & Figures: Too Many Fancy Kinds

Square… pyramid… heart-shaped… and black. The Japanese are incredibly creative when it comes to producing out-of-the-box fruit. Square watermelons, which are typically sold only at expensive department stores, were originally intended for space efficiency in small refrigerators. The fruits are placed into special containers in the shape of a cube to make them grow in a cube shape. Today, they are primarily sold for ornamental novelty due to their unaffordable price tags.

Joining them are watermelons shaped like hearts, pyramids, and even jinmen suika—melons molded to look like a human face! A bit creepy, sure, but undeniably creative. Then there’s the famous black-skinned Densuke watermelon, grown exclusively in the town of Toma, Hokkaido. Known for its extra-sweet taste and sky-high auction prices, the first melon of the season typically sells for around ¥500,000 in mid-June. The record? A whopping ¥650,000 (about USD $4,500) in 2008. Not ready to bid? You can still get your hands on one for around ¥5,000–¥8,000 in Hokkaido or ¥10,000–¥20,000 at Tokyo department stores.

3. An Essential Summer Adventure: No Prep Piñata

© Photo by Pixta: Luxpho

Now that we’ve established that watermelons are gifts and delicious summer treats, you should also know that they are culturally significant, too. You haven’t attended a true Japanese summer community gathering or festival in Japan if it hasn’t included suikawari (literally, watermelon splitting).

Much like the game of piñata in Mexico, suikawari involves cracking a watermelon open with a wooden stick or bokken (a wooden sword) while blindfolded. Then, all participants eat and share the broken-up slices. For this reason, don’t forget to place a clean sheet or cardboard box beneath the watermelon before the game begins.

4. The Health Benefits

Perhaps this should have been at the top of my list. Watermelons, in general, boast incredible health benefits. Firstly, watermelon is 92% water (hence the name), making it a perfect hydrating summer snack. In addition, watermelons are high in vitamins A and C, which are fantastic for skin and hair health, boosting our body’s immunity and combating fatigue. Considering that you’d want to lick your hands every time you eat Japanese watermelon, you’ll basically be doing your body a huge favor.

5. Purely Entertaining & Extremely Versatile

Personally, I can eat watermelon for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That’s how much I love it. It is very common in Japan to eat watermelon with a bit of salt sprinkled on it to make it taste even sweeter, but I guess that, coming from abroad, you might not like that. Instead, you can use your Japanese watermelon to make all kinds of unique drinks and dishes! Watermelon juice, chopped in a savory or fruit salad, breakfast bowls, and or plain yogurt, watermelon “pizza,” watermelon “popsicles,” and many more. Be inventive!

My personal favorite salad is my “summer special” where you chop up and mix:

• Watermelon
• Cucumber
• Feta
• Fresh basil
• Walnuts
• A drizzle of balsamic vinegar

Similarly, you can try making a watermelon salsa—chop up and mix:

• Watermelon
• Mango
• Red onion
• Basil
• Cucumber
• Fresh lime juice
• Salt and pepper

You won’t believe how good these taste!

The Downside: It’s A Pricey Fruit!

© Photo by Pixta: つむぎ

Ok, every rose has its thorns and every Japanese watermelon has its downside: it’s damn expensive. Consequently, watermelons as gifts might cost you as much as ¥10,000-¥15,000—especially if they come in a heart or cube shape. However, given that even the usual watermelons at the supermarket (usually around ¥600-¥3,000 for whole or cheaper as cuts) taste so good, it’s definitely worth giving it a try, at least once in your Japanese life.

Enjoy the watermelon season!

This article has been republished for 2025.

Comments

Pat Alford says:

July 18, 2023 at 3:27 am

Salt on watermelon is extremely common. Maybe it’s a southeastern United States thing. We always use salt on watermelon. It brings out the flavors in watermelon. I also like cracked black pepper on mine!