Yubari Melon (Hokkaido): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

Harvested from May to September, with the first shipments of the year in mid-May.

Timing shifts with the weather and conditions in each region.

Official registration details (MAFF)

The registered description as published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Characteristics

YUBARI MELON belongs to the fragrant Yubari King variety. The flesh of this melon is orange color. Also, it has little fiber, so it is very soft and juicy. Yubari Melon is made of “Yubari King” variety, which has a strong mellow flavor. The sugar content (brix) is more than 10 degrees.

Link with the production area

Surrounded by mountains, Yubari City has wide temperature difference between day and night, and has little rainfall. The area also has well drained volcanic ash soil. All these natural conditions bring out the favorable characteristics of YUBARI MELON. Moreover, the area’s accumulation of production techniques and precise cultivation control makes it impossible to produce YUBARI MELON outside the production area.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s4.html)

Where to buy

As a rule, only products that meet the registered standard may use a GI name (with exceptions such as prior use). Check for the GI mark and the place of origin to tell it apart from ordinary products with similar names.

Buy from the producer group (opens in a new tab)Find on furusato nozei (opens in a new tab)Find online (opens in a new tab)

These links go to Japanese-language shops; check whether they ship overseas.

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It can be purchased from the local agricultural cooperative's official online shop.

FAQ

Yubari Melon is an orange-fleshed melon grown in Yubari City, Hokkaido, using only the Yubari King variety. Raised in well-drained volcanic ash soil with large swings between day and night temperatures, it has little fiber, very soft and juicy flesh, and a rich, mellow aroma.

Yubari Melon is produced in Yubari City, Hokkaido.

Yubari Melon is in season (harvested or shipped) in May–Sep. Harvested from May to September, with the first shipments of the year in mid-May.

Look for it via furusato nozei (hometown tax donation), online shops and the producer group's own shop. Check the GI mark and the place of origin before you buy.

Yubari Melon was registered as a Geographical Indication on December 22, 2015 (Registration No. 4). The registered producer group is Yubari Agricultural Cooperative.