【Event Confirmed】Spring News from Kumamoto, Japan's No. 1 Watermelon Producing Region

Kumamoto City (Mayor: Kazufumi Onishi) will sequentially hold the "Spring Kumamoto Fair" from May 2, 2026 (Saturday) at five department stores (Takashimaya, Daimaru) in the Tokyo metropolitan area and Kansai region. This event is part of the "Kumamoto Product Promotion Project," which aims to promote the appeal of Kumamoto products nationwide, including "watermelon," which boasts the highest production value in Japan (*1 Agricultural Production Value by Municipality in Reiwa 5), and "melon," which ranks second nationwide (*1).

This fair is a scaled-up version of last year's event, which attracted many visitors, and is a limited-time event that will deliver carefully selected spring delicacies, focusing on "spring watermelon," which reaches its peak around Golden Week.

*Please note that products sold may vary by store.

【Event Outline】

■ May 2 (Saturday) and May 3 (Sunday), 2026

Shinjuku Takashimaya (5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) B1F

Tamagawa Takashimaya (3-17-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo) B1F

Kobe Daimaru (40 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo) B1F

■ May 9 (Saturday) and May 10 (Sunday), 2026

Tokyo Daimaru (1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) B1F

Kashiwa Takashimaya (3-16 Suehiro-cho, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba) B1F

■ Featured Lineup: Now in Season! Kumamoto's Proud "Stars of Spring"

1. Crispy and Sweet! Japan's No. 1 "Spring Watermelon"

Kumamoto City boasts the highest production value and cultivated area for watermelon in Japan (2020 Census of Agriculture and Forestry). "Spring watermelon," grown deliciously through the large temperature differences between day and night and the tireless efforts of producers, begins shipping around late February and reaches its peak around Golden Week. It is characterized by its exceptional sweetness and crispy texture. The large watermelon "Matsuribayashi" offered this time features a rich aroma and umami that spreads throughout the mouth with a single bite, along with an enjoyable crispy texture.

*Photos are for illustrative purposes only.

2. Melts in Your Mouth, Exquisite "Melon"

Kumamoto City's melons boast the second-highest production value in Japan.

Various types of melons are produced in Kumamoto City, and this fair offers three types: Quincy Melon, Festa Melon, and Andes Melon.

【Quincy Melon】

This is a red-fleshed melon with orange flesh. It is characterized by its melting texture and deep sweetness, with a juicy and sweet aroma.

【Festa Melon】

This melon has orange-red flesh, high sugar content, and abundant juice, offering a sweet, juicy, and rich flavor. It is a popular netted (mesh) melon.

*Photos are for illustrative purposes only.

【Andes Melon】

This is a green-fleshed melon with greenish-yellow flesh. It is characterized by its sweetness and refreshing aftertaste. The name "Andes" for Andes Melon comes from the phrase "Anshin desu" (It's safe).

■ About Kumamoto City's "Kumamoto Product Promotion Project"

By adding high value and branding Kumamoto's abundant and high-quality agricultural and marine products (hereinafter referred to as "Kumamoto products"), the project aims to expand sales channels and revitalize the regional economy through improving the income of farmers and fishermen. In addition, by conducting year-round promotions in cooperation with private companies and farmers, the project effectively communicates the appeal of Kumamoto's agriculture and food to major consumption areas, expands the distribution of Kumamoto products, and implements measures that lead to continuous transactions and support even after the project ends. In the future, the city plans to promote the appeal of Kumamoto's food throughout the year, including holding a limited-time antenna shop in autumn.

Kumamoto City Furusato Nozei Official Website: https://www.city.kumamoto.jp/html/furusato/

Reference Material: Kumamoto City Agriculture and Fisheries: https://www.city.kumamoto.jp/kiji0032821/index.html

【Organizer】 Kumamoto City

【Contractor】 Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun Co., Ltd.

■ Inquiries regarding this matter and sales (Promotion Office)

Sapporo Beer Co., Ltd. Corporate & Regional Revitalization Division, Regional Revitalization Department

Contact: Maruyama, Takahashi

TEL: 03-6848-0512

■ Organizer Contact

Kumamoto City Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Bureau, Agricultural Policy Division, Agricultural and Fisheries Brand Strategy Office

Director: Chizuru Hiroshima

Chief: Kensuke Tomoeda

TEL: 096-328-2410 (Weekdays 8:30-17:00)

e-mail: nousuibrand@city.kumamoto.lg.jp