The Best Melon Decided: Winners Announced for Ibaraki Melon "KING & QUEEN Contest 2026"

Vivid Garden Inc., operator of Japan's largest direct-from-producer e-commerce site Tabe Choku, held the final judging and award ceremony for the Ibaraki Melon Competition, the "KING & QUEEN Contest 2026," on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Mito Plaza Hotel, under commission from Ibaraki Prefecture. The "Gold Meister Award," signifying the pinnacle of Ibaraki melons, was awarded to Mr. Yoshihiro Katami (Hokota City) in the "Ibaraking Division" and Mr. Kazunori Ishida (Hokota City) in the "Red Flesh Melon Division." The contest was held in two divisions: "Ibaraking," an original variety of Ibaraki Prefecture, and "Red Flesh Melon." A total of 10 melons, five from each division that passed the initial screening (for sugar content, firmness, and external quality), advanced to the final judging. In the final round, a panel of seven judges, including world-renowned pastry chef Junji Tokunaga and actress Rei Kikukawa, conducted a taste evaluation to determine the winners. ■ Award Results - Gold Meister Award: Mr. Yoshihiro Katami (Hokota City) - Silver Meister Award: Mr. Daisuke Toyota (Ibaraki Town) - Bronze Meister Award: Mr. Hideki Saginuma (Hokota City) - Special Award: Mr. Yasuyuki Saeki (Hokota City) - Special Award: Mr. Tomokazu Ichimura (Hokota City) - Gold Meister Award: Mr. Kazunori Ishida (Hokota City) for his Haru Quincy - Silver Meister Award: Mr. Yoshihiro Katami (Hokota City) for his Nadaro Red - Bronze Meister Award: Mr. Takumi Uchiyama (Hokota City) for his Haru Quincy - Special Award: Mr. Masami Hiranuma (Hokota City) for his Nadaro Red - Special Award: Ms. Mami Nezaki (Hokota City) for her Haru Quincy ■ Introduction of Gold Meister Award Winners Name: Mr. Yoshihiro Katami Origin: Hokota City Winner's Comment: "I am extremely happy to receive such an award. When I saw the lineup of finalists here today, I thought I wouldn't be able to win the Gold Meister. They are all wonderful producers who have consistently won in this contest over the years, so I was surprised. Ibaraki's melons are number one in Japan for production, and I believe our technical skill is also number one! From now on, as a Meister, I want to promote Ibaraki melons." Name: Mr. Kazunori Ishida Origin: Hokota City Variety: Haru Quincy Winner's Comment: "The year before last (2024), I won the Gold Meister for red flesh melon, but last year I was disappointed to be eliminated in the first round. I didn't change my cultivation methods between last year and this year; I just grew them as usual, so I think the timing from harvest to judging was just right. This year was blessed with good weather for Quincy melons. The temperature differences, hot during the day and cool at night, were great for sugar content. I will continue to do my best as always to produce good melons next year." ■ About the Ibaraki Melon Competition "KING & QUEEN Contest 2026" This is a competition organized by Ibaraki Prefecture and planned and operated by Vivid Garden to promote the premium branding of Japan's top melon-producing region. It features two divisions, "Ibaraking" and "Red Flesh Melon," competing for the top spot in a two-stage judging process. The Gold Meister Award winner is certified as an "Ibaraki Melon Meister," receiving sales support from the prefecture.