Watermelon Day (Suika no Hi)

What is Watermelon Day?

July 27th is "Watermelon Day" (Suika no Hi). The stripes on a watermelon's rind are said to resemble a "rope" (tsuna in Japanese), giving rise to the wordplay "na (7) tsu no tsu (2) na (7)" — "natsu no tsuna," or "summer rope" = July 27. The day is said to have been established by a group of watermelon growers to promote watermelon consumption.

Why July 27th Is Watermelon Day

Late July is right in the peak season for watermelons. This date was chosen as a way to encourage people to enjoy more of this quintessential summer fruit.

• Wordplay: The watermelon's stripes look like "rope" (tsuna) → "na (7) tsu no tsu (2) na (7)," the "summer rope."
• Peak season: Late July is when both flavor and shipments of watermelons reach their peak.
• A symbol of summer: Right up there with the beach, fireworks, and summer festivals.

The Appeal of Watermelon

Watermelon is packed with water, making it perfect for the hot summer months. It's prized for its sweetness, juiciness, and nutritional value.

• Mostly water: The flesh is about 90% water, a refreshing way to take in some fluids on a hot day.
• Where the red comes from: The red color of the flesh comes from lycopene, a type of carotene.
• Many varieties: Large, small, yellow-fleshed, and seedless watermelons, among others.

Fun Facts About Watermelon Day

• Fruit or vegetable?: It belongs to the gourd family, and horticulture and Japan's Ministry of Agriculture statistics classify it as a "vegetable" (a fruit-like vegetable), while produce markets and nutrition science treat it as a fruit.
• Seedless watermelon was born in Japan: Kyoto University geneticist Hitoshi Kihara developed a method of growing seedless watermelons using triploid plants.
• Famous growing regions in Japan: Kumamoto, Tottori, Yamagata, and Chiba are well-known producers.
• The origins of "suikawari" (watermelon smashing): The exact origin is unclear, but it's become a fixture of beach activities in Japan.
• You can eat the rind too: It's delicious lightly pickled or stir-fried.

Ways to Enjoy Watermelon Day

• Enjoy a whole chilled watermelon.
• Make watermelon juice or a watermelon smoothie.
• Try different varieties from various growing regions and compare flavors.
• Get together with family or friends for a game of suikawari.

A Sweetness That Seems to Capture the Summer Sun Itself

Watermelon Day on July 27th is a day to enjoy one of summer's great gifts. Bite into a juicy watermelon and let it cool you down on a hot day.