Monday, June 10, 2024
The day after the first shipment of sunflower watermelons was held at the JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch on Thursday, June 6, the first auction of the town's specialty, sunflower watermelons, was held at 6:50 a.m. on Friday, June 7, at Kyokuichi's fruit and vegetable auction site in Asahikawa City.
- 1 First auction of "Himawari Watermelon" at Kyokuichi Fruit and Vegetable Auction
- 1.1 Kyokuichi Fruit and Vegetable Auction Center
- 1.2 Sunflower watermelon, a specialty of Hokuryu Town
- 1.3 Fruit tasting held for the first time in 5 years
- 1.4 The voices of the middleman's "Yum! The middleman's voice comes and goes!
- 1.5 Message from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki of Hokuryu Town
- 1.6 First auction of "Himawari Watermelon", a specialty of Hokuryu Town!
- 1.7 Breakfast and social gathering
- 2 Youtube Video
- 3 More Photos
- 4 Related Articles
First auction of "Himawari Watermelon" at Kyokuichi Fruit and Vegetable Auction
Kyokuichi Fruit and Vegetable Auction Center
The Kyokuichi Fruit and Vegetable Auction Center is a large collection of seasonal produce from Hokkaido and all over Japan.
Sunflower watermelon, a specialty of Hokuryu Town
In the center, shipped "sunflower watermelons" are lined up in rows.
One case, five excellent sunflower melons!
Fruit tasting held for the first time in 5 years
This year, for the first time in five years since the Corona disaster, a fruit tasting was held. When the "Himawari watermelons" were cut into pieces with a large knife, many middlemen gathered one after another, drawn by the sweet aroma.
The voices of the middleman's "Yum! The middleman's voice comes and goes!
Message from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki of Hokuryu Town
First, a greeting from Mayor Sasaki.
Good morning. Thank you so much to everyone at Asahiichi for taking care of Hokkaido's cafeteria and kitchen from morning.
Today I came with Mr. Toshinari Watanabe, a producer of Himawari Suka in Hokuryu Town.
The Sunflower Watermelon Production Association is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. We have heard that in the past 40 years, they have produced wonderful "Himawari Suika" with special sweetness this year.
Please take care of Hokuryu Town, please take care of Asahikawa, and please take care of the happy yellow Sunflower watermelon! Mayor Sasaki declared emphatically.
Thank you for your continued support this year!" said Toshinari Watanabe.
First auction of "Himawari Watermelon", a specialty of Hokuryu Town!
The first auction begins, and the vigorous shouts of the brokers echo through the air!
Auctioned off in a flash! Congratulatory price 50,000 yen (1 box of 5 excellent balls)! Congratulations!
Breakfast and social gathering
After the safe completion of the first auction, we moved to the second floor office for breakfast and discussion.
Spacious conference room.
A sumptuous breakfast bento prepared in the conference room on the second floor!
Fresh sashimi, deli meats, grilled fish, miso soup, salads, and more delicious dishes than you can eat.
We are truly grateful for the seasonal, piquant vegetables, meat and fish dishes that are full of energy and power. Thank you for the food!
With thanks to Kyokuichi Co., Ltd. for a great collection of attractive ingredients from Hokkaido.

The "Sunflower Watermelon" from Hokuryu-cho, which travels from Asahikawa Market in the heart of Hokkaido to the rest of the country, sparkling in the color of sunflowers, the taste of summer in Hokkaido, with boundless love, gratitude and prayers.
Youtube Video
More Photos
Related Articles
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◇ Reporting and writing by Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editorial assistance by Noboru Terauchi) 
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