Japan’s Tomisato marks watermelon harvest with annual race

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Tomisato City in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, hosted its annual Tomisato Watermelon Race this weekend, coinciding with the peak of the local watermelon harvest season.

Approximately 6,700 runners from across Japan participated in the event. Unlike conventional road races, participants were offered slices of fresh watermelon at refreshment stations along the course instead of standard race snacks.

The event is closely linked to the area’s watermelon production. This year also marked the 100th anniversary of watermelon cultivation in Tomisato.

Many participants took part in watermelon-themed costumes, including fruit-inspired outfits and face paint. To mark the centenary, organisers awarded commemorative watermelons not only to leading finishers but also to runners finishing in 10th, 100th, and 1,000th place.

One participant told NHK that he entered the race primarily for the watermelon, saying the fruit provided a refreshing break during the run.

The event also reflects the Japanese concept of “shun,” which refers to the period when a food reaches its peak season in terms of availability and flavour.

By linking the race to the local harvest period, the event highlights watermelon production in Tomisato while encouraging consumption during the crop’s seasonal peak.

Source: Tokyo Weekender

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Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies