Undistributed Watermelons Also Featured, Over 100 Watermelons Gathered: Japan's Largest Event 'Watermelon Party 2026' to be Held in July
WagaMama Inc. will host 'Watermelon Party 2026,' Japan's largest event where over 100 watermelons, including undistributed and rare varieties, can be tasted and compared. The event will be held in Tokyo in July, with watermelon farmers from across the country participating to foster interaction between producers and consumers.
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WagaMama Inc. (Headquarters: Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture) will host 'Watermelon Party 2026,' Japan's largest event where over 100 watermelons, including undistributed and rare varieties, can be tasted and compared. This event, featuring 10 to 15 or more types of watermelons, will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at 'IKUSA ARENA' in Nerima-ku, Tokyo. General tickets went on sale from Friday, May 1, 2026.
■ An experiential tasting event gathering over 100 watermelons, including undistributed varieties
This event is Japan's largest watermelon event, with approximately 300 participants, where carefully selected watermelons from all over the country gather. It offers the chance to taste and compare over 10 to 15 varieties of watermelons, including rare types not generally distributed and even unreleased trial varieties that don't yet have names. Watermelon farmers from all over Japan, from Akita in the north to Okinawa in the south, will also participate, allowing attendees to enjoy a variety of unique watermelons while receiving explanations directly from the farmers.
In addition to watermelon sales and related merchandise, the venue will also feature quiz events and photo booths. It's an event where you can experience the multifaceted charm of watermelons, not just by tasting them.
■ Background of the event
While watermelon is a familiar fruit, the differences in taste between varieties and the dedication of producers are not widely known. Furthermore, since watermelons do not ripen further after harvesting, freshness greatly affects their taste, but it is difficult to deliver them to consumers in optimal condition through general distribution.
Against this backdrop, this event aims to provide a place where people can directly experience the true deliciousness and diversity of watermelons, and to create new opportunities to connect producers and consumers. By creating opportunities to encounter valuable watermelons that are not usually eaten in daily life, known only to a select few, and to allow participants to converse directly with watermelon farmers, we aim to invigorate Japan's watermelon industry. It has been held 7 times so far, with a cumulative total of over 1,150 participants, and a wide range of age groups from teens to 60s have enjoyed encountering special watermelons.
Please take this opportunity to experience various watermelons.
【Watermelon Party 2026 Event Information】
Date: Sunday, July 5, 2026, 12:00-15:00
Venue: IKUSA ARENA (Nerima Toho Plaza Building 5F, 2-19-1 Nishiki, Nerima-ku, Tokyo)
Access: Approximately 10 minutes walk from Tobu Nerima Station
Ticket prices:
① VIP seats (limited to 30 seats): 25,000 yen (tax included)
【VIP seat benefits】
・Guidance to seats where communication with our representative Sato and watermelon farmers is easy
・Provision of special watermelon (1 slice per person)
・Special watermelon souvenir (1/8 slice per person)
・Guaranteed refills of watermelon (up to 2 slices of each type per person)
・All-you-can-drink watermelon juice
・Limited to 30 seats
② General seats: 7,480 yen (tax included)/person
Special website: https://amaisuika.com/blog/news/3209/
【Partial pre-release of watermelons scheduled to participate this year】
Asahi Kodama Watermelon
Asahi Kodama Watermelon / Akita
Asahi Kodama Watermelon is characterized by its texture in addition to its taste. Its flesh is firm and has a crisp texture, allowing you to enjoy not only the original texture of watermelon but also a pleasant crunch. Furthermore, the unique elegant aroma felt when taking a bite is also one of its features. The appetizing aroma, unlike other watermelons, makes the taste even richer. Due to this excellent balance, it has been a popular variety at this event every year.
Furiya Watermelon Kinshoku Raoh
Furiya Watermelon Kinshoku Raoh / Oita
Furiya Watermelon 'Kinshoku Raoh' is a variety that has won the highest gold award at the Japan Vegetable Sommelier Summit. It is characterized by its deep sweetness, richness, and strong crispness, and is known as a super high-sugar yellow watermelon. It is a rare variety that is difficult to cultivate and has limited market distribution, carefully grown under thorough quality control in the rich natural environment of the Hita Basin. Furiya Watermelon carefully selects only those watermelons that meet their quality standards by test-cutting each one after harvest.
*The varieties and contents of watermelons provided may change depending on the procurement situation and weather conditions on the day.
■ Organizer's comment: 'A place to change the concept of watermelon and unleash passion'
Previously, many people would ask, 'Are there even varieties of watermelon?' However, every time we hear voices saying, 'This variety was the best!' through this party, we feel the circle of watermelon lovers expanding, and our hearts are filled with warmth. Our commitment is to deliver watermelons carefully grown by farmers in their 'most delicious state,' freshly picked and directly shipped. It is filled with the passion of farmers who are crazy about watermelons.
■ An experiential tasting event gathering over 100 watermelons, including undistributed varieties
This event is Japan's largest watermelon event, with approximately 300 participants, where carefully selected watermelons from all over the country gather. It offers the chance to taste and compare over 10 to 15 varieties of watermelons, including rare types not generally distributed and even unreleased trial varieties that don't yet have names. Watermelon farmers from all over Japan, from Akita in the north to Okinawa in the south, will also participate, allowing attendees to enjoy a variety of unique watermelons while receiving explanations directly from the farmers.
In addition to watermelon sales and related merchandise, the venue will also feature quiz events and photo booths. It's an event where you can experience the multifaceted charm of watermelons, not just by tasting them.
■ Background of the event
While watermelon is a familiar fruit, the differences in taste between varieties and the dedication of producers are not widely known. Furthermore, since watermelons do not ripen further after harvesting, freshness greatly affects their taste, but it is difficult to deliver them to consumers in optimal condition through general distribution.
Against this backdrop, this event aims to provide a place where people can directly experience the true deliciousness and diversity of watermelons, and to create new opportunities to connect producers and consumers. By creating opportunities to encounter valuable watermelons that are not usually eaten in daily life, known only to a select few, and to allow participants to converse directly with watermelon farmers, we aim to invigorate Japan's watermelon industry. It has been held 7 times so far, with a cumulative total of over 1,150 participants, and a wide range of age groups from teens to 60s have enjoyed encountering special watermelons.
Please take this opportunity to experience various watermelons.
【Watermelon Party 2026 Event Information】
Date: Sunday, July 5, 2026, 12:00-15:00
Venue: IKUSA ARENA (Nerima Toho Plaza Building 5F, 2-19-1 Nishiki, Nerima-ku, Tokyo)
Access: Approximately 10 minutes walk from Tobu Nerima Station
Ticket prices:
① VIP seats (limited to 30 seats): 25,000 yen (tax included)
【VIP seat benefits】
・Guidance to seats where communication with our representative Sato and watermelon farmers is easy
・Provision of special watermelon (1 slice per person)
・Special watermelon souvenir (1/8 slice per person)
・Guaranteed refills of watermelon (up to 2 slices of each type per person)
・All-you-can-drink watermelon juice
・Limited to 30 seats
② General seats: 7,480 yen (tax included)/person
Special website: https://amaisuika.com/blog/news/3209/
【Partial pre-release of watermelons scheduled to participate this year】
Asahi Kodama Watermelon
Asahi Kodama Watermelon / Akita
Asahi Kodama Watermelon is characterized by its texture in addition to its taste. Its flesh is firm and has a crisp texture, allowing you to enjoy not only the original texture of watermelon but also a pleasant crunch. Furthermore, the unique elegant aroma felt when taking a bite is also one of its features. The appetizing aroma, unlike other watermelons, makes the taste even richer. Due to this excellent balance, it has been a popular variety at this event every year.
Furiya Watermelon Kinshoku Raoh
Furiya Watermelon Kinshoku Raoh / Oita
Furiya Watermelon 'Kinshoku Raoh' is a variety that has won the highest gold award at the Japan Vegetable Sommelier Summit. It is characterized by its deep sweetness, richness, and strong crispness, and is known as a super high-sugar yellow watermelon. It is a rare variety that is difficult to cultivate and has limited market distribution, carefully grown under thorough quality control in the rich natural environment of the Hita Basin. Furiya Watermelon carefully selects only those watermelons that meet their quality standards by test-cutting each one after harvest.
*The varieties and contents of watermelons provided may change depending on the procurement situation and weather conditions on the day.
■ Organizer's comment: 'A place to change the concept of watermelon and unleash passion'
Previously, many people would ask, 'Are there even varieties of watermelon?' However, every time we hear voices saying, 'This variety was the best!' through this party, we feel the circle of watermelon lovers expanding, and our hearts are filled with warmth. Our commitment is to deliver watermelons carefully grown by farmers in their 'most delicious state,' freshly picked and directly shipped. It is filled with the passion of farmers who are crazy about watermelons.