'Food Paradise Tottori Prefecture' is blessed with delicious ingredients such as seafood, fruits, and rice throughout the year. The harvest season for 'Tottori Watermelon,' representing the early summer, has arrived once again.

Despite tough weather conditions earlier in the spring, including low temperatures, lack of sunshine, and strong wind damage, the 2026 Tottori watermelon crop has turned out high-quality as usual, large and sweet, thanks to the careful management of producers and good weather in the latter part of the growth period.

In the Tokyo metropolitan area, centered on the Tottori Okayama Shinbashi-kan, various events will be held to allow people to enjoy and experience the charm of Tottori watermelon, including limited-time menu items, the 'Tottori Watermelon Lottery' with no empty draws, and a 'Watermelon Juice from a Faucet' experience.

About the 2026 'Tottori Watermelon'

Tottori Prefecture's watermelon is a premier early summer fruit, boasting the fourth-largest shipment volume in Japan. Cultivated in an environment with long sunshine hours and a large temperature difference between day and night, it is characterized by juiciness, large size, and firm sweetness.

At the assessment meeting held on May 26, it recorded an average sugar content of 12.2 degrees in the center and an average weight of 9.27kg.

Growth was sluggish in early spring due to low temperatures and lack of sunshine, but it recovered due to good weather from mid-March, with growth about 3 days faster than the previous year.

The peak of shipments is expected to be from early to late June.

The 2026 production aims for a sales target price of 273 yen/kg and sales revenue of 3.7 billion yen.

Promotional activities for Tottori watermelon will be expanded to various locations in the Tokyo area, including antenna shops, mass retailers, and Tokyo Station.

'Tottori Watermelon Fair' at Tottori Okayama Shinbashi-kan

The bistro cafe 'Momotenashi-ya' on the 2nd floor of Tottori Okayama Shinbashi-kan will offer limited-time menu items using plenty of Tottori Prefecture-grown watermelon.

Period: June 10 (Wed) to July 9 (Thu), 2026 (planned) Location: Tottori Okayama Shinbashi-kan, 2nd floor Bistro Cafe Momotenashi-ya

Main Menu Items: - Tottori Watermelon Parfait: 2,500 yen (tax included) - Straight Tottori Watermelon: 900 yen (tax included) - Tottori Watermelon Smoothie: 950 yen (tax included)

Tottori Watermelon Lottery

An air lottery machine with a watermelon pattern will be installed at the shop storefront on the 1st floor, allowing participation for 500 yen per draw.

Period: June 17 (Wed) to June 30 (Tue), 2026

- 1st Prize: One whole Tottori Watermelon - 2nd Prize: Watermelon Parfait - 3rd Prize: 1/8 Cut Watermelon - 4th Prize: Watermelon Juice or Meal Coupon

Watermelon Juice from a Faucet Experience

Period: June 12 (Fri) to July 8 (Wed), 2026 Hours: 10:30–20:00 Location: Tottori Okayama Shinbashi-kan, 1st floor shop Price: 500 yen (tax included)

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event
  • Organizations: pa cherry b.