"Hokkaido melon" is a term that encompasses a wide range of branded melons being cultivated all over the region of Hokkaido. Here's a list of some of the more prominent brands for your quick and handy reference.

This famous melon is probably the image that comes up in most people's minds when the word "Japanese melon" is mentioned.

One of the pioneers of Hokkaido melon, stashes of Yubari King seeds are kept in a secure safe to ensure its preservation, and the quality of the melons under this brand is carefully controlled.

As a result, the melon's flavor is consistently delectable. The melon's flesh is soft, juicy, and fragrantly sweet. In terms of taste, it certainly lives up to its "king" moniker!

While Hokkaido's Furano area is more closely associated with beautifully manicured lavender fields, Hokkaido melons are also specialty products here.

Unlike Yubari King, many different species of melons are classified as Furano Melons, so you'll find both orange- and green-fleshed melons being sold under the same brand. There are subtle differences in taste depending on the particular species you buy. Still, all of them have firm and crunchy fruit flesh and can be kept for quite a long time.

One of the hallmarks of Furano Melons is its relatively high sugar content, measuring an average of 15% across the board.

Looking for something special? Check out the orange-fleshed Furano Melons with an image of Hello Kitty carved onto its skin! There's only a limited stock for such batches available, so it's definitely a must-buy if you can find one!

Raiden Melons are being grown on the western edge of Shakotan Peninsula, in the regions of Raiden and Kyowa Town.

This well-known local delicacy also has a reputation for being full of high-quality fruit juice that's sumptuously sweet. Both the orange- and green-fleshed versions of the melon are being cultivated in the Raiden area. Still, the orange-fleshed one is more popular for how it simply melts in the mouth.

These are but a few of the relatively more popular melon brands. Other famous melons include the orange-fleshed melons of Mikasa, Tsukigata, or Kuriyama, all areas that are close to the Yubari region, or the Yotei Melon being cultivated in the Niseko area. Don't forget to check them out, too, while you're in the area!

The short answer to the first question is summer. From early summer all the way to early fall, you'll start seeing melons taking center stage in many of the shops in Hokkaido.

The first wholesale auction of a Yubari King crop occurs every year in late May, so this representative Hokkaido melon will appear in consumer storefronts between June to July.

Other brands generally have a longer season than Yubari King. Some may even be on sale from as early as mid-May onwards. The late ones can still be bought around October, too! Furano Melons is one such example. Their sale season lasts from mid-May all the way to early October.

As for how to tell when is the best timing to cut open the melon and enjoy the fruit inside, check the skin first. If it's slightly yellowish and the stalk has dried up, then that's a good time to start eating the melon.

To be doubly sure, if the bottom part of the melon softens when you press it, that's a good indication that the melon is ready to be eaten too!

Melon prices fluctuate based on factors such as the season and their place of origin. However, there's a variety of options available to suit every budget.

For instance, Yubari Melons are classified into four tiers: good, excellent, premium, and super-premium. Naturally, the prices vary across these tiers.

A melon from the most affordable "good" tier costs around 4,000 yen ($40). In contrast, a super-premium melon starts at 10,000 yen ($100), and you'll never find one in the bargain bin!

Melons from other producers are generally more affordable. For example, Furano Melons are priced between 1,500 and 2,000 yen ($15-20) each, while Raiden Melons range from 1,000 to 2,000 yen ($10-20) per melon.

The melons are readily available in many places during harvest season.

Direct sales
Many melon farms have on-site facilities selling directly harvested melons, and the experienced shop clerks on hand can help you pick between melons that are ripe enough to eat on the day itself, or something that can last a few more days while you're transiting to your next destination.

Some shops also sell freshly sliced melons for the immediate enjoyment of those who can't wait.

Roadside stations
In districts such as Yubari and Furano, where melons are being cultivated, roadside stations will usually be offering locally-grown produce - including melons - for sale.

The advantage of getting your melons from these roadside stations is that you'll also be able to browse through and buy a huge variety of other local goods as well, such as snacks and candy, making your melon-buying trip just that little bit more interesting than usual.

General marketplaces
What if your trip itinerary doesn't allow you time for a visit to the melon-producing regions of Hokkaido?

In that case, try the major marketplaces, like Sapporo City's Central Wholesale Market or regular fruit and vegetable stores in Nijo Market.

Many shops will also be selling melon slices, which would be the best choice for those wanting to try the melons out right away.

Going to one of these marketplaces will also open up plenty of shopping options, since you'll have access not just to melons, but other local produce like seafood and snacks as well, all of which will be great to bring home as souvenirs!

Department stores
Most department stores have a food section on the basement floors, and you'll be able to find the melons being sold there as well.

However, note that most of the melons here will be of a higher quality and price range. Still, since department stores are usually located in very convenient spots in town, the ability to quickly drop by at the start or end of the day makes it a very appealing option for visitors who may be pressed for time.

If you're in the mood to eat your fill of all the melons you can get your hands on, consider going to a melon buffet (yes, they do exist!).

Melon Terrace is one such restaurant, located on the second floor of Yubari-shi Agricultural Cooperative Signature Product Center, and one of the most attractive points of the restaurant is the fact that you can eat all the premium Yubari King melons you want here during melon season!

Other than an impressive array of ripe and fragrantly cut melons ready for consumption, you'll also find a few other items on the buffet table, all made with local ingredients.

Enjoying fresh melon slices surrounded by the scenic nature outside of the restaurant's windows will certainly enhance their flavor!

The shop on the first floor has plenty of local specialty products on sale as well, including Yubari King edible souvenirs, in case you find yourself craving for more after that feast above!

Yes and no - it depends on the country you intend to ship them to.

Because melons are considered fresh produce, they may not be able to make it past the customs of certain countries with stricter rules on food imports.

The courier service booths in department stores and airports, or one of the post offices in town should be able to help you check if your destination country allows fresh food imports.

Be sure to check first before buying any melons for shipping overseas! Note that you may also be liable for tax and duties, wherever applicable.

Some fruit and vegetable stores in Sapporo City's Central Wholesale Market offer overseas shipping services, so ask a store clerk for more information if that's your plan!

Missed melon season? Can't ship a fresh melon home? No problem! You can still get a taste of those famous Hokkaido melons through the many snacks inspired of them that are available all year round.

And don't just think, "But they're just snacks!" There's a whole lineup of products that can rival the original in both flavor and fragrance, and here are a few of our favorite picks!

You can't go wrong with HORI's "Yubari King Pure Jelly", one of the most representative Hokkaido melon-flavor snacks around.

Because it uses a generous amount of authentic Yubari King melon juice, each bite into the jelly is almost like biting into the real thing! It helps that the jelly itself has been made to emulate the texture of the melon's flesh as well. Talk about luxury!

Corn chocolate is another popular local specialty, and it now comes in Yubari King flavor. The tasty corn chocolate bars go so well with the premium melon flavor that you can't stop once you start munching!

Hokkaido's home-grown convenience store chain Seicomart has its own original spin on Hokkaido melon-flavored snacks - soft-serve ice cream!

This is a dream combination of local orange-fleshed melon juice with the rich and creamy milk produced by Hokkaido's Toyotomi town. The result is a smooth and sweet melon-flavored ice cream that is meltingly tasty and lusciously enjoyable.

As mentioned, these are just our picks. Take your time to browse through souvenir stores and convenience stores in search of other equally interesting and delicious snacks, and with so much variety available, you'll definitely find the one that suits your palate the most!

If having a taste of one of Hokkaido's internationally renowned melons fresh off the vine is something you've always wanted to do, then be sure to time your next Hokkaido trip to coincide with the melon harvest season!

Translated by Huimin Pan.

*This article was originally published in April 2021. Visit the official websites for the latest updated information.