The golden fruit of the sun, Hokuryu Town's sunflower watermelon, a story that connects smiles

Friday, September 26, 2025

A golden fruit that embodies the sun. A story that connects the souls of sunflower watermelons

There is a miracle in Hokuryu Town, Hokkaido. It is the "Sunflower Watermelon," a deep, glossy green skin with black stripes, revealing golden flesh that seems to capture the midsummer sun. One bite and you will be surprised and smile. Once you have tasted it, you will never forget its crisp texture and elegant, refreshing sweetness.

However, behind that single ball lies a story that is much deeper and warmer than we can imagine, a tale of people and nature, and the "spirit of harmony" woven between people. This is a grand epic that the farmers of Hokuryu Town have been painting for a year.

Prayers begin under the snow in winter: Clearing snow from the greenhouse

The story of the sunflower watermelon begins not in summer, but in the harsh winter when everything is covered in snow. In February, when the weather is still freezing, growers begin removing the snow from their greenhouses in preparation for the coming spring. It is a silent ritual of prayer to awaken the earth for the glorious harvest of summer. This unseen effort is the foundation of everything.

Spring: Sacred Ritual of Connecting Life: Grafting, Raising Seedlings, and Planting

As the snow begins to melt, farm work heats up.

Grafting: Entrusting the future to small lives

At the growers' farms, the delicate process of "grafting" is carried out. Watermelon scion is attached to disease-resistant bottle gourd rootstock. This process, which requires precision down to the millimeter, is like a surgical operation. It is a sacred time in which wishes are poured into each and every seedling for it to "grow healthy."

"Seedling Tour" - Growing with friends

The strength of the Hokuryu Sunflower and Watermelon Producers Association lies in its strong bonds. Members visit each other's greenhouses and watch over the seedlings as if they were their own children."Is everything going well?" "These seedlings are strong."The words exchanged are not just an exchange of information. They are a soul-shaking exchange between friends who share the same dream of producing the best watermelons.

"Planting" to connect to the future

The "planting" process involves planting the carefully nurtured seedlings in the warm greenhouse. The seedlings are carefully planted one by one in a warm soil bed covered with a mulch sheet. This is the process of planting in the earth the hope for a future harvest in a few months.

Summer: A Rich Time to Talk with Watermelons: Pruning and Harvesting

As summer approaches and the vines begin to grow, farmers spend more time inside their greenhouses. In order to ensure that each vine produces the best possible fruit, they must "prune" the excess vines. Which vines to leave and where to let them bear fruit? This is nothing less than a "dialogue" where they listen carefully to the voice of the watermelon and work together to find a path that will allow its vitality to shine to the fullest.

And then comes the joyous harvest. The farmers gently tap the sunflower watermelons, listen to the sound, and select the perfect, ripe watermelons. The watermelons packed into boxes are no longer just agricultural products, but precious "works" that contain the producers' sweat and love.

Sharing emotions with a circle of smiles

The long-awaited first shipment arrives in June. JA Kitasorachi delivers the summer energy of Hokuryu Town to the whole country. The special price displayed at the first auction at Kyokuichi Fruit and Vegetable Auction (Asahikawa City) is a testament to the trust placed in the quality of the produce.

Their appeal has been publicized on television and in magazines, resulting in long lines at direct sales events. And starting this year, sunflowers, the hippos at Asahiyama Zoo, will be presented with their favorite food. Sunflower watermelons are a bridge of happiness that connects people and even animals with smiles.

To pass on this spirit to the future

This excitement will not be a passing one."Guidelines for training new sunflower and watermelon farmers"The artisan's skills, the love for watermelons, the bonds between colleagues... We want to pass on all the values that this agriculture has to the next generation. This "heart of compassion" is firmly rooted in this town.

As long as there are people who want to try growing sunflower watermelons, the farmers of Hokuryu will generously share everything they have to offer. This is because, for them, agriculture is not just about cultivating the land and growing food, but also about cultivating people's hearts and fostering a deep love for the future.

So, please enjoy this story. Experience the warm soul of Hokuryu Town, watched over by the great sun. It will surely remind us of the true richness of the heart that we have almost forgotten.

YouTube videos

Sunflower Watermelon Playlist (15 songs)

Other photos

[Hokuryu Town, Hokkaido] Sunflower watermelon cultivation [Hokuryu Sunflower Watermelon Producers Association] Photos (732 photos) are here >>

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🖋️ Content planning, article writing, photo selection, and video creation: Ikuko Terauchi Photography, editing, and website management: Noboru Terauchi