The signature product of Yubari, Hokkaido, Yubari melons are considered Japan’s leading luxury-brand melon and are frequently given as a summer gift.

Every May, the first melons of the season are sold at auction in the Sapporo market. In recent years, a pair of Yubari melons will command a price of 1 million yen or more, and in 2026, a pair was sold for a record-setting 5.8 million yen!

Hokkaido Yubari melons are graded according to their taste and appearance, with prices changing accordingly. For reference, one melon typically sells for about 4,000 to 6,000 yen in markets. That’s certainly more affordable than the auctioned melons, but still more expensive than a standard melon.

Yubari melons are popular and highly valued for their flavor. Not only their high sugar content but also their melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet aroma are unique to Yubari melons.

Yubari melons are only sold in Japan for several reasons.

It’s a common misconception any melons with orange flesh are Yubari melons, but in actuality “Yubari melons” are only those produced by growers in Yubari City.

The number of days from harvest to ripeness is very short, making the melons unsuitable for long-distance transport. Add to that the severely limited production area and a low number of producers and the result is a rare melon that can only be consumed domestically.

The melon vines produce fruit from late May to early August and after only one harvest, growers rest their fields until the next season to maintain the soil. It may seem inefficient, but it’s part of the reason why local Hokkaido melon farmers been able to continue producing high-quality Yubari melons for many years.

Yubari melons are a “special taste of Japan” that can only be eaten in summer, and a taste many travelers hope to experience during summer trips to Hokkaido.

In Yubari, all-you-can-eat melons are readily available during the harvest season, offering the rare chance to enjoy premium Yubari melons at a great price.

Yubari Melon Resthouse Natsuzora, on the second floor of the Yubari City Agricultural Cooperative Signature Products Center, offers a limited-time melon buffet from June 15 to August 9.

Prices are 3,500 yen for adults and junior high school students and older, 1,800 yen for elementary school students, and free for preschoolers under 6.

The buffet is offered in 30-minute blocks starting from 10 AM, with the final block beginning at 3 PM. In the past, walk-ins often meant lining up early for numbered tickets, but reservations can now be made in advance online and are highly recommended.

Reservations for the 2026 summer season opened on May 20 and are available via the official website.

It takes about 90 minutes to get there by car from downtown Sapporo.

The Center’s entrance humorously bears the ferocious image of the “Melonkuma” character and visitors enter and exit through its open mouth. From there, they head upstairs to the buffet reception area. Seats are available both in the restaurant and on the terrace, and if the weather is nice, the terrace seating is highly recommended.

On the buffet table, eye-catching slices of Yubari melon are served on large trays. People accustomed to eating un-chilled fruit may be a bit surprised, but cold melons eaten on a hot day are truly exceptional.

Not surprisingly, diners head straight to the fresh melons and make many repeat trips from their seats to the buffet table and back. However, there’s no need to rush or disturb the relaxed pace of the experience; the staff will replenish the melons regularly, so you can take your time enjoying them.

As you scoop out a bite of melon with a spoon and bring it to your mouth, you’ll be awash in the mellow aroma before enjoying the sensation of the juicy fruit melting on your tongue!

After your meal, be sure to visit the gift shop on the 1st floor. There you can buy Yubari melons, and, depending on the day, there may be special melons for sale. There are even chilled melons available at the back of the store.

Melonkuma (Melon Bear) products make popular souvenirs and there’s a wide variety from T-shirts to tote bags. Some versions of Melonkuma look more realistic and scary, while others are much cuter.

There are also sweets, juices, and ice cream to eat while driving across Hokkaido or back at your hotel. Keep in mind that you cannot take Yubari melons themselves out of Japan, but if you bring back sweets or juice made from Yubari melons you’ll still be able to share the taste with your family and friends.

If you’re thinking about taking a summer trip, why not add all-you-can-eat Yubari melons to your itinerary? Visit Yubari Melon Resthouse Natsuzora for a delicious lunch and all the Yubari melon you can eat!

Yubari Melon Resthouse Natsuzora closes in early to mid-August each year, so for more details about this year's schedule, see the official website here.

(Photos in this article are from coverage in August 2020)