Watermelon

すいか

Kumamoto, Chiba, and Yamagata are the top producing regions. Kumamoto leads nationally and its Ueki area watermelons are widely celebrated. Hokkaido's densuke watermelon, with its jet-black skin and high sugar content, is a premium brand. Deeply embedded in Japanese summer food culture

Taste & Texture

Clean sweetness and a crisp, refreshing texture. Extremely high water content makes it ideal for summer hydration and mineral replenishment

Season

MONTHLY AVAILABILITY

Jul - Aug

PEAK

※ Season is based on domestic field-grown availability

How to Choose

  • Look for clear, distinct stripes and a dry, shriveled stem — signs of ripeness.

  • A deep, resonant thud when tapped indicates good ripeness.

  • Choose the heaviest specimen available.

How to Store

  • Store whole watermelon in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place at room temperature.

  • Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.

  • Wrap cut pieces tightly and refrigerate; eat promptly.

Shelf life Whole: 2 weeks at room temperature; cut: 2-3 days refrigerated

Nutrition Facts

Wholesale Market Data

MARKET INSIGHTS

CHEAPEST Jun ¥243/kg
BUSIEST Jul 46,145t
Volume (t)
In season
Price (yen/kg)

Source: MAFF Wholesale Market Survey for Fresh Produce (2023)

Retail Price

Price Trend

Cheapest Jul ¥540/1kg
Most Expensive May ¥687/1kg

Annual Average

¥593/1kg

Source: Statistics Bureau Retail Price Survey (2025)

Production Ranking

Kumamoto16.3%
Chiba13.1%
Yamagata10.0%
Tottori6.4%
Ibaraki5.8%
Others48.3%
10%+
5%+
2%+
0.1%+
None

Map data: National Land Numerical Information (MLIT Japan)

#
Prefecture
Harvest (t)
Share
1
46,500
16.3%
2
37,500
13.1%
3
28,600
10.0%
4
18,400
6.4%
5
16,700
5.8%

Source: MAFF Crop Statistics / Agricultural Census (2023)

Top 5 Prefecture Harvest Trends (2018-2023)

Kumamoto
Chiba
Yamagata
Tottori
Ibaraki

Consumption Ranking

National Average (annual spending per household)

¥1,450 /year
#
City
Annual Spending
1
Nagano Nagano
¥2,846
2
Toyama Toyama
¥2,798
3
Kumamoto Kumamoto
¥2,652
4
Mito Ibaraki
¥2,445
5
Tottori Tottori
¥2,410

Source: Statistics Bureau Family Income and Expenditure Survey (2024, two-or-more-person households, prefectural capital cities)