"Watermelon Cultivation Passed Down from Seniors to Young Employees" - Young Yataro Employees Learn from Local Farmers in Hamano, Kakegawa City and Start Selling "Hime Makura" Seedless Watermelons Grown by Them at Yataro Local Production for Local Consumption Factory Store!

Yataro Local Production for Local Consumption Factory Store (1013-1 Kami-nishi-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture) has begun selling "Hime Makura," a small seedless watermelon cultivated in Hamano, Kakegawa City, which is sweet and crisp, as part of its initiative to deliver attractive local agricultural products with the theme of "local production for local consumption." The sale started in June 2026.

What is Yataro Farm?

Yataro Farm is an orchard operated by the Yataro Group. The "Vegetable and Fruit Agriculture Business Division" of Yataro Co., Ltd., which operates this farm, officially launched its business in April 2026 with the fundamental idea of "delivering delicious agricultural products that customers can eat with peace of mind and safety."

Currently, they cultivate crops at two locations: Hamano, Kakegawa City, and Ono, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu City. In Hamano, Kakegawa City, they cultivate watermelons (Hime Makura) and sweet potatoes (Beni Haruka), taking advantage of the well-draining sandy soil. In Ono, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu City, they cultivate garlic and are working on soil improvement using bamboo chip compost.

Furthermore, Yataro Farm values "soil building," which is the foundation for growing crops, and "human resource development," which signifies the growth of individuals and the agricultural industry as a whole through collaboration with local farmers. In the future, they aim to challenge themselves to grow delicious crops with minimal reliance on pesticides.

"Hime Makura" Grown by Young Employees Inheriting the Techniques of Their Predecessors

The "Hime Makura" that has just gone on sale is characterized by its easy-to-eat size, typical of small seedless watermelons. The sugar content is 12 degrees or higher (sometimes reaching 14 degrees when conditions are optimal). It has a thin rind, is packed with flesh, and offers a crisp, refreshing texture.

The main person in charge of watermelon cultivation is Ryuichiro Shimura, a 22-year-old employee in his third year at Yataro. When he first started cultivation, he faced continuous hardships, including soil preparation, ridge making, and solitary work under the scorching sun. However, the team now consists of three people, and they are committed to cultivation that doesn't miss even the smallest changes, sharing daily observations of the fields and the condition of the fruit.

Over the next approximately three years, he will learn cultivation techniques from senior farmers who have been growing watermelons in Hamano, Kakegawa City for many years, and establish his own unique cultivation methods based on the inherited techniques to grow Yataro Farm's distinctive Hime Makura.

Delicious Watermelons Grown Specifically in Hamano, Kakegawa City

Hamano, Kakegawa City, chosen as the cultivation site, is an area with wide stretches of well-draining sandy soil, making it ideal for watermelons, which prefer dry environments. However, while it is a suitable environment for watermelon cultivation, the soil easily loses moisture, making meticulous daily management, such as watering, essential.

Furthermore, due to the strong sea breeze and the tendency for sand to blow, they implement wind protection measures using straw mulch, adapting their watermelon cultivation to the natural conditions of the Hamano region. This region also has a history of watermelon cultivation passed down through generations, and the wisdom and ingenuity accumulated by local producers continue to support the deliciousness of the watermelons grown here.

In order to grow high-quality watermelons in this environment and tradition, daily careful observation is particularly important. They monitor the condition of the leaves and vines, the growth of the fruit daily, and record the pollination date to determine the optimal harvest time.

The combination of discerning subtle daily changes and locally rooted cultivation wisdom leads to the creation of delicious watermelons unique to Hamano, Kakegawa City.

Aiming for a Watermelon That Makes You Think "I Want to Eat It Again!" - Yataro Farm Walking Together with the Community

Yataro Farm aims to establish cultivation techniques that can consistently supply watermelons with a sugar content of "13 degrees or higher," making them so sweet that "anyone who eats them will say they're sweet and want to eat them again." While pursuing better soil building, they are committed to producing safe and delicious agricultural products that can be eaten with peace of mind.

Furthermore, with the goal of becoming a farm that grows with the community and contributes to the development of agriculture, they not only learn techniques from local farmers but also actively participate in their work as needed, valuing relationships built on mutual support in agriculture.

In the future, they will strive to improve their techniques to deliver agricultural products with a focus on soil building, by challenging themselves with cultivation methods that rely as little as possible on pesticides and with organic farming.

We encourage you to take this opportunity to try the "Hime Makura" small seedless watermelon, carefully cultivated by Yataro Farm.

Product Overview

【Product Name】 Hime Makura (Small Seedless Watermelon)

【Sales Period】 June to mid- or late-July 2026 (scheduled)

【Sales Location】 Yataro Local Production for Local Consumption Factory Store

【Origin】 Hamano, Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture

*Please note that quantities are limited. We apologize for any sold-out items. Availability may also be affected by weather, cultivation, or harvest conditions.

Store Overview

Yataro Local Production for Local Consumption Factory Store

Leveraging its strength in integrated product development, distribution, and sales, Yataro Local Production for Local Consumption Factory Store aims to contribute to the realization of a circular economy in the region by selling products at factory direct prices, "outlet products," and "upcycled products" that give new value to existing items. Furthermore, utilizing over 90 years of "manufacturing" expertise, they offer freshly baked bread and sweets in a "live kitchen." They also contribute to local production for local consumption by gathering delicious items from local bakeries, confectionery shops, and farmers using their own logistics network, thereby promoting the culinary appeal of the region.

1013-1 Kami-nishi-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture 435-0048

Phone: 053-463-8577

Business Hours: 10:00 - 19:00 / Closed: January 1st - January 3rd

Links to Various Sites

Brand Site: https://www.y-outlet.jp/

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yatarooutletstore/

Official LINE: https://line.me/R/ti/p/@094mbkoh

Company Overview

Corporate Name: Yataro Co., Ltd. (Yataro Group)

Founded: 1933 (Showa 8)

Head Office Location: 169 Maruzuka-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Business Activities: Food manufacturing and sales, catering, public facility operation, etc.

Official Website: https://yataro.jp/