What did you think? Would you buy a Square Watermelon to display - or try to eat one? Should this be the symbol of the Zentsuji city, on their manhole covers? Thanks for watching 🍉😊 next video release, Oct 8th! Don’t forget to subscribe ^_^ John
It's a fun thing, but a gimmick. I don't see how people can jusity paying up to hundreds for a fruit that wont taste good and will just rot at some point. Waste of money imo. Just buy a normal watermelon and have something good to eat.
Before watching your video, I would have said no way, but seeing the enormous effort that goes into growing one, has definitely shifted my feelings about it. Perhaps it would make an exceptional gift for that person who seems to have everything.
I was always curious as to how those were grown, had some suspicions, now confirmed. I think the square watermelon is interesting, but I don't know if I'd ever buy one, except for maybe as a gift for someone. I did not know that they weren't exactly edible, but it makes sense, a ripe, or nearly ripe, melon would not make for a good decorative piece. Thanks again for sharing such interesting things like this about a country I so dearly hope to visit some day. =^.^=
Thanks! I’m glad YOU ARE back :) reminder to everyone, this is a new channel, make sure you’re subscribed. New video drop this Tuesday, Asahikawa in Hokkaido! youtube.com/@onlyinjapan ^_^
I like the subtle touch of using the same clothes in Shibuya as in Shikoku. It's as if you just arrived from the farm and started walking around the city.
I wear this everyday in summer 😂 like Beavis & Butthead. Haha, but yes, I wanted to give that feeling to the viewer and actually, this is the morning after I brought the watermelon back, after the harvest. That means the shop in Shibuya displaying it in the window somehow got it the next day!!! None went out before mine 😳 PS: 3 months later, my square watermelon is doing just fine :) amazing!
Excellent! Love the time-lapsed video of the watermelon growing in the box. It’s great that the tradition continues as younger people stepped up! Great job! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
John's choice of topics and the depth he delves into them is admirable. I also like that he takes this seriously and doesn't just see it as content. One can feel the deep respect he has for the topics he covers and the people he brings forth in his work. While not putting down the work of many other great content creators covering Japan, I have to say John's OIJ is the gem on the crown.
John you are really one of my favorit youtuber all over youtube!!and i watch many youtuber's!!! you are one of the best of all of them, so much passion and good quality. Thank you very much im going to show your Content even to my kids
John, you absolutely nailed it with this video! It was not only super informative but also entertaining from start to finish. Your storytelling, visuals, and attention to detail really brought the whole process to life! I learned so much about this fascinating part of Japanese culture, and the way you presented it made it feel like I was right there with you. Keep up the fantastic work.
I am always perplexed at how (relatively) low your subscribers are, despite how great your content is: the quality of the video, the commentary, etc. I appreciate your work man! :)
@@Glenn-Glenn it happened 4 years ago. the company that co owned the channel wanted to go in a different direction with his channel they disagreed and he left so that he could start this channel. honestly the sub to view count is better then the last channel so hes off to a great start. just sucks that he had to start over.
@@Glenn-Glenn I signed a contract in Japanese, it had stuff in it I didn’t know about, my fault - I messed up, that’s life, I own the OiJ trademark so could “restart” but they tried to keep making content. When life hands you lemons, make lemonade! 🍋 😂🥤 still a bit broken from a year of legal stuff, but just scars that give me a better understanding of life and “business” in Japan.
@@Glenn-Glenn PS: many don’t know they’re not subscribed to the new channel > youtube.com/@onlyinjapan so I’ll have to do a reminder push as I release the next episode from Asahikawa, Hokkaido on Tuesday.
I finally found the time to rewatch this video uninterrupted. This is such a marvelous story. And it’s interesting that you not only covered this unique piece of Japan with the world but you are also a part of the story. 😊
It’s entirely possible that John’s original video could have inspired (in part or in whole) some of the young farmers to start farming square watermelons. John is part of the effort to keep this amazing tradition alive, and that’s why we love his channel.
Keep inspiring! When I look at my 4 month old square watermelon (it lives!) on my desk, the feeling is mutual. I’m glad the art, the practice and tradition will continue for another 50 years in Zentsuji ^_^
Thank you @redredredtail I’m so grateful for it ^_^ when it felt like I lost everything, starting over, the reality was I was never alone here and it makes me appreciate things so much more!
Absolutely amazes me that The Japanese can make something so cool, other countries would never do this, it just shows the uniqueness of Japan in one video! Another great video.
I watched your live stream in Tokyo holding this square watermelon with Peter !! Another amazing great video that you introduced How they put a lot of work and their heart to grow this amazing watermelon Hope it will continue for a long long time & spread the word to the world ❤
I really want to visit Japan someday and now I have another place I want to visit 🤩 Thank you for sharing their story and giving us a look at the square watermelons. One question that I may have missed, do the watermelons grow old after they are shipped to stores or homes? How long would they last for?
John, your videos are truly inspiring to me on many levels. Your topics are diverse and interesting, and the respect you show on a human level to what these topics mean is outstanding. You are my source for Japan, and if I get that chance to finally visit, you are the reason.
I love that video- one of your best IMO- funny but informative and just the right amount of narrative and “live “ keep up yiur great work! Greetings from Austria 🇦🇹
I've seen some youtube videos of people growing shaped veggies. So I guess it has started moving around the world this idea of shaping them. pretty cool.
@@Some0ne001 there is a good feeling seeing that, it fits so perfectly, like Tetris. Yeah, it’s beautiful. I almost made that my thumbnail for this episode.
I will say you do such a wonderful job representing Japanese culture and agriculture you always amaze me with you attention to detail and your ability to connect with the people of Japan though you videos this was fascinating informative and interesting to here about an industry we in the west here so little about glad you get to make these amazing videos and stories .😊
@@danfalvey6292 thank you for that kind comment ^_^ it’s fun and important to me to do as best a job on these stories as I can because it’s not about me but about them, their story, their watermelons, their town. It’s an honor they trust me with their story ❤️
Really enjoyed this video - the square watermelon is so uniquely Japan. Please do a video on another special Japanese fruit - the yuzu. This fruit is only available in the Japanese supermarkets in Singapore from late November to December. But it's worth the wait.
Done ✅ ua-cam.com/video/fEfAmeDaoa8/v-deo.htmlsi=bOyF_JtRrALmLMYQ don’t forget to subscribe to this (kind of) new channel ٩(^‿^)۶ there are a few other Japanese fruit episodes here too youtube.com/@onlyinjapan
Aloha my brother! I've been looking forward to seeing this video. I would have to give it some thought if I'd buy one just to display as a cool talking piece but I love watermelon but I would definitely think about what it tasted like so I would probably end up cutting into it. Lol. Awesome video my brother! 🤙😁
I agree with the younger farmer. If they had a good marketing and social media department they could really hype up these unique fruits. Maybe even get themselves a square melon mascot. Got to change with the times.
I told the mayor this, square watermelon mascot, merch and manhole covers, fun stuff - bakery items in share watermelon shape etc. I’m cheering for Zentsuji!
Really enjoyed this video. So interesting to learn more about the square watermelon. All this time I thought the purpose was for easy storage in the fridge and people bought them to eat. It would be cool to get one but i woudn't be able to take it back to Hawaii with me. Would be cool if they made miniture ones! Mahalo for taking us with you;
This is such an interesting video! I’ve been eagerly anticipating it! I’d love to know how the already perfect looking square watermelons get graded!😂 What a cool job to be enrolled into a square watermelon program!! I’d love to visit the countryside of Japan, it looks beautiful! Thank you for sharing this
I love this, great spirit! I’m sure so many traditions will need us outsiders coming in to help. A lot of younger Japanese aren’t in tune with traditional culture like their parents. I see more internationals perfecting Japanese arts, culture - it’s so nice and a little odd in a good way that see sometimes. Western Japanese swordsmiths. American Ukiyoe Artists. The artists who made the anime opening to my channel series, they’re American living in Tokyo! And they do TV and cinema with Japanese companies, so great to see so I don’t doubt that you could be farming square watermelons here one day soon!
@@onlyinjapan There's a Canadian man (David Bull) that has been living in Japan since the mid 1980s who livestreams on Twitch (japaneseprintmaking) and makes Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints!
It was surprising that only 200-400 of the square watermelons are produced each year--their reputation/notoriety seems stronger than those numbers indicate. Well done and informative video, John!
When I first went, it was 200 harvested and they’ve had years with under 100 depending on the weather. 400 is a good year! You’re right, they’re definitely well known! I hope the credit goes to the farmers and city that makes them though. That gets lost in the western media. Hard working people in Zentsuji. They deserve a lot of credit for not giving up on this. I am rooting for them!
I can’t believe that no one there has tried to create a recipe for those watermelons. I’m sure with such creative culinary experts in Japan, they could come up some truly delicious dishes be it pickled, compressed, stir fried, etc. That way it would create added value to your purchase. Display and than dine! They also should use the Minecraft connection for their marketing to attract the younger generation. Anyways, another terrific video John! Loved it!
Interesting, like a square watermelon curry 🍛 the flavor isn’t any different with normal unripe watermelons 🍉 so it’s hard to do it with flavor, but square watermelon bakery cubes with watermelon cream or something like that would be fascinating! I think the shape is the winner, not the taste 🤢
Not sure if it was intentional, but the closing comment about how Only in Japan ..."will be taking [us] to every single CORNER of this amazing country" was such a fitting finish to a most impressive feature on the four CORNERED watermelon. I loved the focus paid to the challenges of passing the art of growing and marketing square watermelons on to future generations and how those challenges are being met. (I couldn't help but reflect back on the first time, as a child, I saw a watermelon in Alaska. My Uncle had placed one in a moss covered hole at his cabin which kept it cool from the permafrost below. When I saw it as he lifted the layer of moss I thought that was how watermelons grew. Now if he had just made that hole square......)
Indeed! When I visited Angkor Wat in Cambodia 🇰🇭 I remember seeing how nature truly took over many of the manmade building! Like Indiana Jones! It reminds us all that we’re here today, gone tomorrow, nature will inevitably beat us all. Good to be humbled like that. I bet that watermelon could bust through the box given time!! Good experiment?
New episode!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉 i miss watching the live stream too bad I've been busy these past few months i can't even watch the playback. Also my father passed away this oct 3 just few days ago i sometimes invite my dad to watch oij, when there's new episode. I miss my dad😢
this episode made me feel nostalgic because of the episode you made similar to this i remember watching it way back 2019 when i discover the old oij then pandemic hit i watch the live stream since 2020 then stop watching early 2024😢 gonna watch the past live stream soon.
I’m sorry to hear about your father’s passing Michael. It makes me so happy your guys could share these adventures in Japan from time to time together. I’ll keep on making them and keep those memories alive ^_^
@@d3n0tz_ I went here in 2016 but a lot has changed, this was endangered of going extinct. This is a new story with a few old clips but you can see, we’re older too 😂
@@d3n0tz_ awesome! It’s such a beautiful place, love the peaceful countryside and people there. This episode definitely needed more love and an update, much of Japan’s culture is outside Tokyo and Kyoto ❤️
I like to think that the father started it from an intrusive thought of putting random fruits in boxes as gags, only to see people wanting an "organic cube" for themselves so much that he rolled with it.
@@jerrylim6722 that would be so funny! I have to ask when I go back next year 😂 the people there are so nice, like a family, need to visit. Genius ideas came from gags I’m sure! One thing leads to another … doing something different inspired different thought which is refreshing.
I really love this kind of content and can't wait to go to Japan again. Great country, great people and your way of presenting it all is special and unique. 🍉
Great vid as always John! Still don’t really get why they would throw out the imperfect ones when frankly from what i’ve observed walking around the fruit stalls in tokyo,people don’t go to the watermelons with a magnifying glass 😅
I agree - there could be a use including gimmicky Square Watermelon curry or something … so many ideas! But the “fertilizer” does help just kind of a “too bad” moment. You’re right, but I think it’s also part of Japan to get it right, perfect - a reputation of flawless work :) something I love about Japan (most of the time).
Definitely a cool novelty but if it doesn't taste that good I can't imagine it's worth the price even after the wait. Does the knocking trick work with them to determine ripeness?
Very nice video and production as usual. I don't get to see the livestreams very often but I always make it a point to see the main channel videos. I vaguely remember a livestream when the watermelon was cut up. Is that how long it takes to make a main channel video?
I follow your channel for over 10 years (I think), almost since I visited Japan for the first time. There are many channels here about Japan but I like yours because you always give an interesting view point about Japan. I remember the episode about those lovely strange watermelons. I also remember you tried to eat one and it wasn't that good. Since the watermelons are harvested unripe, it there a way to make them ripe and eat them? Looks like a bit of a waste not to eat such supreme quality fruit.
First, THANK YOU for finding my new channel here and watching my content for so long. It means a lot to me. At the 6:00 mark in the video, Yamashita-san explains why, ripe watermelons have high sugar content, it decays the watermelon very quickly once cut and harvested.any will go bad before being sold so stores have to sell them so fast. However, perhaps with online orders, they can be sent directly to customers? There are a lot of things they can do to do this better for the future and this year, 2024 - it’s a big pivotal year for them as the move from one generation to another with a more thinking on that future. Square Watermelons were really in danger of going extinct. It’s not a big money maker for farmers. It’s more for passion and local pride, local identity. I’ll go back next year if I can because they’re my friends and I’m rooting for them and will help as much as I can.
@@onlyinjapan Thank you for the explanation. My father used to tell me that when he was a child/teenager, his father sometimes in the summer would buy 4-5-6 watermelons and keep them under the bed for a couple of weeks until they ate them all :-) In my family we sometimes eat watermelon with Greek cheese (very salty). The flavor combination is wonderful.
The situation has changed a lot, square watermelons are / were endangered and going extinct until 2022. No young people wanted to grow them or they weren’t being let in. Now it’s thriving, but in a different way. Def not the same as before, just same topic. Like doing an episode on ramen or apartments in Shibuya, it can be done in a new way each time.
Actually those are cubed not squared. This 🎁 was the only thing - aside from a die - that I could find in emojis for the shape. 😮 The Japanese have a different relationship with fruit then any others I’ve seen. The astronomical amount that they will pay for a singular piece of fruit, because it looks absolutely perfect & pristine so they can give it to somebody as a present… That’s not my bag. Of course they have a real fascination/obsession with butts…that could be the real reason for their fascination with Sumo…😄…of course I like Sumo John, it’s really good to see you. You’ve been on my mind a bit lately, wondering how you were doing. You look well - that’s great. Look forward to more vids 👍🏻 ~ Kevin
You’re right, they’re going by simple shape. A square watermelon is a cube but still called “Square Watermelon” 🍉😉 so there’s the technical name for the 3D product and the name name of it.
I remember first seeing and hearing about square watermelons from a science journal we were given at school (the print quality wasn't that great though so the photo wasn't the best) and I thought it was pretty cool. It's fun to see how the watermelon gets it's shape in this video although not gonna lie, I was kind of disappointed to know after all these years that they're not made for eating lol. I love eating watermelons so I thought it'd be enjoyable to eat them with that shape but I do get why they can't be ripened and all. I wonder though if there's any recipe out there that could use a bitter, unripe watermelon haha. It was mentioned in the video that you've covered this story before and I'm guessing the video is on the old channel. I'm gonna have to watch it later cause I don't think I've seen it yet.
I wonder if they made them a little bit bigger if they would ripen up because I know they’re or ornamental. But also, I think it would be fun to eat a square watermelon. Maybe the new generations can invent a bigger box. 🍉
Maybe there’s a market for it now that wasn’t there 40-50 years ago. Still, what he said about the time to get it to the store, if it doesn’t sell, it goes bad fast.
What are the profit margins like for this? I can't image the farmers themselves making that much considering all the labour and people involved. But they still continue the tradition, which I like. I wanna buy one of these when I visit to support them. I wonder if they ever keep a few ripe ones to try out.
They produce 200-400 square watermelons a year depending on weather and other circumstances, 80 one year when it was bad. It’s not a bit market, the retail for ¥12,000 each in 2024. I don’t think they’re charging enough for it 😂 esp with the number of failures, I can’t imagine they do this just for profit.
we have square foods grown as well here bc one can stack up to 4x more than just leaving it to grow in open. means more money if one can grow a ton more in same space. money 101
What did you think? Would you buy a Square Watermelon to display - or try to eat one? Should this be the symbol of the Zentsuji city, on their manhole covers? Thanks for watching 🍉😊 next video release, Oct 8th! Don’t forget to subscribe ^_^ John
it Looks amazing wow i have never seen one. wish they had some in the states .
結論としては、日本の中小企業は、潰れるべき？
It's a fun thing, but a gimmick. I don't see how people can jusity paying up to hundreds for a fruit that wont taste good and will just rot at some point. Waste of money imo. Just buy a normal watermelon and have something good to eat.
Before watching your video, I would have said no way, but seeing the enormous effort that goes into growing one, has definitely shifted my feelings about it. Perhaps it would make an exceptional gift for that person who seems to have everything.
I was always curious as to how those were grown, had some suspicions, now confirmed. I think the square watermelon is interesting, but I don't know if I'd ever buy one, except for maybe as a gift for someone. I did not know that they weren't exactly edible, but it makes sense, a ripe, or nearly ripe, melon would not make for a good decorative piece. Thanks again for sharing such interesting things like this about a country I so dearly hope to visit some day. =^.^=
Great update to the video you made 8 years back! Its great there are people stepping up to preserve this.
Whohoo! Welcome back! Awesome production quality as always. You're the main reason why I'm visiting Japan next year :)
Thanks! I’m glad YOU ARE back :) reminder to everyone, this is a new channel, make sure you’re subscribed. New video drop this Tuesday, Asahikawa in Hokkaido! youtube.com/@onlyinjapan ^_^
I like the subtle touch of using the same clothes in Shibuya as in Shikoku. It's as if you just arrived from the farm and started walking around the city.
I wear this everyday in summer 😂 like Beavis & Butthead. Haha, but yes, I wanted to give that feeling to the viewer and actually, this is the morning after I brought the watermelon back, after the harvest. That means the shop in Shibuya displaying it in the window somehow got it the next day!!! None went out before mine 😳 PS: 3 months later, my square watermelon is doing just fine :) amazing!
@@onlyinjapanoh WOW! That’s amazing that it is holding up three months later! 🤯
@@onlyinjapan Whoa! That's kewl. heh heh heh
Excellent! Love the time-lapsed video of the watermelon growing in the box. It’s great that the tradition continues as younger people stepped up! Great job! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
John's choice of topics and the depth he delves into them is admirable. I also like that he takes this seriously and doesn't just see it as content. One can feel the deep respect he has for the topics he covers and the people he brings forth in his work. While not putting down the work of many other great content creators covering Japan, I have to say John's OIJ is the gem on the crown.
There he is again, John and his square watermelons! I love it when you feature square water melon yearly or so.
John you are really one of my favorit youtuber all over youtube!!and i watch many youtuber's!!! you are one of the best of all of them, so much passion and good quality. Thank you very much im going to show your Content even to my kids
The greatest compliment any creator could receive ^_^ ♥️ thank you!
That shout out was heart touching! Omedetto Gozaimasu John San
John, you absolutely nailed it with this video! It was not only super informative but also entertaining from start to finish. Your storytelling, visuals, and attention to detail really brought the whole process to life! I learned so much about this fascinating part of Japanese culture, and the way you presented it made it feel like I was right there with you. Keep up the fantastic work.
I am always perplexed at how (relatively) low your subscribers are, despite how great your content is: the quality of the video, the commentary, etc. I appreciate your work man! :)
he had an over a million subscriber channel. the company he worked with took it over and he had to start a new.
@@Dank-Kun what really? I missed this. What happened?
@@Glenn-Glenn it happened 4 years ago. the company that co owned the channel wanted to go in a different direction with his channel they disagreed and he left so that he could start this channel. honestly the sub to view count is better then the last channel so hes off to a great start. just sucks that he had to start over.
@@Glenn-Glenn I signed a contract in Japanese, it had stuff in it I didn’t know about, my fault - I messed up, that’s life, I own the OiJ trademark so could “restart” but they tried to keep making content. When life hands you lemons, make lemonade! 🍋 😂🥤 still a bit broken from a year of legal stuff, but just scars that give me a better understanding of life and “business” in Japan.
@@Glenn-Glenn PS: many don’t know they’re not subscribed to the new channel > youtube.com/@onlyinjapan so I’ll have to do a reminder push as I release the next episode from Asahikawa, Hokkaido on Tuesday.
2:22 Are you freaking kidding me?!?!! This episode is amazing.
Ya, the Oldtimey Newsreel music is great, right?….!…..
Yes! You’re back at it! I miss this a lot!
Thank you! Welcome ^_^ next episode on this new OiJ channel on Tuesday youtube.com/@onlyinjapan
@@onlyinjapan I made that leap with you when you started it. 👍🏻
I finally found the time to rewatch this video uninterrupted. This is such a marvelous story. And it’s interesting that you not only covered this unique piece of Japan with the world but you are also a part of the story. 😊
It’s entirely possible that John’s original video could have inspired (in part or in whole) some of the young farmers to start farming square watermelons. John is part of the effort to keep this amazing tradition alive, and that’s why we love his channel.
Keep inspiring! When I look at my 4 month old square watermelon (it lives!) on my desk, the feeling is mutual. I’m glad the art, the practice and tradition will continue for another 50 years in Zentsuji ^_^
Square watermelons are like edible art-so fascinating to watch the process of them growing into perfect squares! 🎨🍉
Amazing video as always, John!
love these content! been watching since forever and the change in channels too, also your livestreams helped a lot during the pandemic! ganba John!
Thank you @redredredtail I’m so grateful for it ^_^ when it felt like I lost everything, starting over, the reality was I was never alone here and it makes me appreciate things so much more!
Absolutely amazes me that The Japanese can make something so cool, other countries would never do this, it just shows the uniqueness of Japan in one video! Another great video.
I watched your live stream in Tokyo holding this square watermelon with Peter !!
Another amazing great video that you introduced
How they put a lot of work and their heart to grow this amazing watermelon Hope it will continue for a long long time & spread the word to the world ❤
Awesome job John drop a like for you
Aight time to grow square watermelons in my garden 😎
Totally try it out! I wish I HAD a garden 😂
I love the part where you share this abomination of a watermelon with people, their reactions always make me laugh! 🤣
That lady when she walked by … haha! She was so much fun and nice to chat with. People inspired by it showed me it’s less food, much more art.
Yay, Johns back on the grind for the main channel. Hoping for more content!
On the way! ^_^
Thanks once again John! Very informative!
Great great story. Thank you John! Greetings from Aruba.
I really want to visit Japan someday and now I have another place I want to visit 🤩 Thank you for sharing their story and giving us a look at the square watermelons. One question that I may have missed, do the watermelons grow old after they are shipped to stores or homes? How long would they last for?
Nice filming of them growing into the cube.
The squareness really makes them give a human x nature vibe and its really nice
Finally! Really love these, thanks for the awesome content, John. Greetings from Germany.
Nice video John, thanks 😉
Thank you for watching ^_^
i see john daub, i click, this man brings me so much joy to watch
Thank you as always for the great work
John, your videos are truly inspiring to me on many levels. Your topics are diverse and interesting, and the respect you show on a human level to what these topics mean is outstanding. You are my source for Japan, and if I get that chance to finally visit, you are the reason.
Thanks again John always enjoy learning about this big special watermelon from you and the Japan people 🙌🙌🙌
I love that video- one of your best IMO- funny but informative and just the right amount of narrative and “live “ keep up yiur great work! Greetings from Austria 🇦🇹
I've seen some youtube videos of people growing shaped veggies. So I guess it has started moving around the world this idea of shaping them. pretty cool.
It all started here, as a “thing” Zentsuji ⛩️
Another super video, so interesting. I look forward for more.
the way the watermelons fit so nicely in the truck satisfies OCD brain.
@@Some0ne001 there is a good feeling seeing that, it fits so perfectly, like Tetris. Yeah, it’s beautiful. I almost made that my thumbnail for this episode.
I would buy one just to support the farmers 🥰 and they look cool 😍
Brilliant production!!!
Thanks you John.
very interesting, and this truly is an episode worthy of the channels name! :)
I will say you do such a wonderful job representing Japanese culture and agriculture you always amaze me with you attention to detail and your ability to connect with the people of Japan though you videos this was fascinating informative and interesting to here about an industry we in the west here so little about glad you get to make these amazing videos and stories .😊
@@danfalvey6292 thank you for that kind comment ^_^ it’s fun and important to me to do as best a job on these stories as I can because it’s not about me but about them, their story, their watermelons, their town. It’s an honor they trust me with their story ❤️
amazing video wow The watermelon Looks so cool and i would love to try it .
Now this is a unique unBoxing!
I remember the first time seeing about the square watermelons in Japan, I was totally surprise at you can possibly turn them into squares.
great vid!
Really enjoyed this video - the square watermelon is so uniquely Japan.
Please do a video on another special Japanese fruit - the yuzu.
This fruit is only available in the Japanese supermarkets in Singapore from late November to December. But it's worth the wait.
Done ✅ ua-cam.com/video/fEfAmeDaoa8/v-deo.htmlsi=bOyF_JtRrALmLMYQ don’t forget to subscribe to this (kind of) new channel ٩(^‿^)۶ there are a few other Japanese fruit episodes here too youtube.com/@onlyinjapan
Bro please post next time more of miyazaki mango and ruby roman grapes
Aloha my brother! I've been looking forward to seeing this video. I would have to give it some thought if I'd buy one just to display as a cool talking piece but I love watermelon but I would definitely think about what it tasted like so I would probably end up cutting into it. Lol. Awesome video my brother! 🤙😁
Wonderful work. ✌️
I agree with the younger farmer. If they had a good marketing and social media department they could really hype up these unique fruits. Maybe even get themselves a square melon mascot. Got to change with the times.
I told the mayor this, square watermelon mascot, merch and manhole covers, fun stuff - bakery items in share watermelon shape etc. I’m cheering for Zentsuji!
Really enjoyed this video. So interesting to learn more about the square watermelon. All this time I thought the purpose was for easy storage in the fridge and people bought them to eat. It would be cool to get one but i woudn't be able to take it back to Hawaii with me. Would be cool if they made miniture ones! Mahalo for taking us with you;
This is such an interesting video! I’ve been eagerly anticipating it! I’d love to know how the already perfect looking square watermelons get graded!😂 What a cool job to be enrolled into a square watermelon program!! I’d love to visit the countryside of Japan, it looks beautiful! Thank you for sharing this
Im in the mood to relocate to Japan, Grow square watermelons and keep the tradition going ! !
I love this, great spirit! I’m sure so many traditions will need us outsiders coming in to help. A lot of younger Japanese aren’t in tune with traditional culture like their parents. I see more internationals perfecting Japanese arts, culture - it’s so nice and a little odd in a good way that see sometimes. Western Japanese swordsmiths. American Ukiyoe Artists. The artists who made the anime opening to my channel series, they’re American living in Tokyo! And they do TV and cinema with Japanese companies, so great to see so I don’t doubt that you could be farming square watermelons here one day soon!
@@onlyinjapan There's a Canadian man (David Bull) that has been living in Japan since the mid 1980s who livestreams on Twitch (japaneseprintmaking) and makes Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints!
It was surprising that only 200-400 of the square watermelons are produced each year--their reputation/notoriety seems stronger than those numbers indicate. Well done and informative video, John!
When I first went, it was 200 harvested and they’ve had years with under 100 depending on the weather. 400 is a good year! You’re right, they’re definitely well known! I hope the credit goes to the farmers and city that makes them though. That gets lost in the western media. Hard working people in Zentsuji. They deserve a lot of credit for not giving up on this. I am rooting for them!
Very interesting. I love the work ethic and very cool idea.
I’ve heard of pickling watermelon I wonder if that could be an additional use for them?
Hmm, I think that’s hard, not sure which ones are failures, maybe like a 50/50 chance of getting a bad one!
You're alive!
youtube.com/@onlyinjapango come say hi live sometime.
@@onlyinjapan I know, I know. I just don't have the time. ♥
Pineapples used to be ornamental for rich folks, so its interesting to see Watermelons in the same boat.
That's quite awesome
We grow ornamental squash for the fall in the states. So I can see the reasoning for this.
Interesting! Maybe that’s where the idea came from … I remember a lot of that as decoration for autumn and Thanksgiving.
A man and his Melon. Bruh... you showed that Melon more love than my Mom did me.
Oh my 😂 without love, it won’t grow well. Mom can learn from this video ^_^
@@onlyinjapan Well that was a long time ago... but thanks for the video it was as always welldone!
I can’t believe that no one there has tried to create a recipe for those watermelons. I’m sure with such creative culinary experts in Japan, they could come up some truly delicious dishes be it pickled, compressed, stir fried, etc. That way it would create added value to your purchase. Display and than dine! They also should use the Minecraft connection for their marketing to attract the younger generation. Anyways, another terrific video John! Loved it!
Interesting, like a square watermelon curry 🍛 the flavor isn’t any different with normal unripe watermelons 🍉 so it’s hard to do it with flavor, but square watermelon bakery cubes with watermelon cream or something like that would be fascinating! I think the shape is the winner, not the taste 🤢
Not sure if it was intentional, but the closing comment about how Only in Japan ..."will be taking [us] to every single CORNER of this amazing country" was such a fitting finish to a most impressive feature on the four CORNERED watermelon. I loved the focus paid to the challenges of passing the art of growing and marketing square watermelons on to future generations and how those challenges are being met. (I couldn't help but reflect back on the first time, as a child, I saw a watermelon in Alaska. My Uncle had placed one in a moss covered hole at his cabin which kept it cool from the permafrost below. When I saw it as he lifted the layer of moss I thought that was how watermelons grew. Now if he had just made that hole square......)
It's really interesting seeing how they shape the watermelons. For some reason, I imagined they shaped them after harvesting, not while it's grows. 😮
The square cases have to be bolted tightly, didn't realize the pressure the melon exerts as it grows. So it's hip to be square 🎶😎! Thanks John! 🍉🟩👍
Indeed! When I visited Angkor Wat in Cambodia 🇰🇭 I remember seeing how nature truly took over many of the manmade building! Like Indiana Jones! It reminds us all that we’re here today, gone tomorrow, nature will inevitably beat us all. Good to be humbled like that. I bet that watermelon could bust through the box given time!! Good experiment?
@@onlyinjapan I'd watch that experiment 👍
New episode!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉
i miss watching the live stream too bad I've been busy these past few months i can't even watch the playback. Also
my father passed away this oct 3 just few days ago i sometimes invite my dad to watch oij, when there's new episode. I miss my dad😢
this episode made me feel nostalgic because of the episode you made similar to this i remember watching it way back 2019 when i discover the old oij then pandemic hit i watch the live stream since 2020 then stop watching early 2024😢 gonna watch the past live stream soon.
I’m sorry to hear about your father’s passing Michael. It makes me so happy your guys could share these adventures in Japan from time to time together. I’ll keep on making them and keep those memories alive ^_^
That's quite interesting 🤩
those look nice
Watermelon: What's happening to me ? I'm out of shape. 🤣
I want one ! 😊
I like how elderly people still work hard ❤
Good habits never end.
Wait... John has published this video before... Ooooohhhhh!!!! 😊😊👍👍
@@d3n0tz_ I went here in 2016 but a lot has changed, this was endangered of going extinct. This is a new story with a few old clips but you can see, we’re older too 😂
@@onlyinjapan I was there 8 years ago John! Great to see everyone still working hard!
@@d3n0tz_ awesome! It’s such a beautiful place, love the peaceful countryside and people there. This episode definitely needed more love and an update, much of Japan’s culture is outside Tokyo and Kyoto ❤️
I like to think that the father started it from an intrusive thought of putting random fruits in boxes as gags, only to see people wanting an "organic cube" for themselves so much that he rolled with it.
@@jerrylim6722 that would be so funny! I have to ask when I go back next year 😂 the people there are so nice, like a family, need to visit. Genius ideas came from gags I’m sure! One thing leads to another … doing something different inspired different thought which is refreshing.
I had square melon, also mixing juice with greentea from oishi~☆😊❤
I thought the scenery around the watermelon fields looked familiar, but it was right near my relative's house.
I didn't know they grew them there.
I think the Square melon needs in many product form^^good mythical water melon~☆maybe square melon sake, or with tea freeze dried form😊❤
Another great video.
The idea of a square watermelon is very interesting. Kinda curious if Japan is growing square pumpkins.
Perhaps a partnership with Minecraft would help public notice?
I showed him the Minecraft square watermelons! Maybe this will happen!
That's genius lol and minecraft is pretty big in japan
I really love this kind of content and can't wait to go to Japan again. Great country, great people and your way of presenting it all is special and unique. 🍉
John I'd love to see a video by you about the tsushima island
Great vid as always John! Still don’t really get why they would throw out the imperfect ones when frankly from what i’ve observed walking around the fruit stalls in tokyo,people don’t go to the watermelons with a magnifying glass 😅
I agree - there could be a use including gimmicky Square Watermelon curry or something … so many ideas! But the “fertilizer” does help just kind of a “too bad” moment. You’re right, but I think it’s also part of Japan to get it right, perfect - a reputation of flawless work :) something I love about Japan (most of the time).
Definitely a cool novelty but if it doesn't taste that good I can't imagine it's worth the price even after the wait. Does the knocking trick work with them to determine ripeness?
great japan
Very nice video and production as usual. I don't get to see the livestreams very often but I always make it a point to see the main channel videos. I vaguely remember a livestream when the watermelon was cut up. Is that how long it takes to make a main channel video?
Depends, the Asahikawa video I filmed 2 weeks ago is ready for release on Tuesday.
Those cases are thick Lexan with steel re-enforcement. That's some serious pressure.
I follow your channel for over 10 years (I think), almost since I visited Japan for the first time. There are many channels here about Japan but I like yours because you always give an interesting view point about Japan.
I remember the episode about those lovely strange watermelons. I also remember you tried to eat one and it wasn't that good. Since the watermelons are harvested unripe, it there a way to make them ripe and eat them? Looks like a bit of a waste not to eat such supreme quality fruit.
First, THANK YOU for finding my new channel here and watching my content for so long. It means a lot to me. At the 6:00 mark in the video, Yamashita-san explains why, ripe watermelons have high sugar content, it decays the watermelon very quickly once cut and harvested.any will go bad before being sold so stores have to sell them so fast. However, perhaps with online orders, they can be sent directly to customers? There are a lot of things they can do to do this better for the future and this year, 2024 - it’s a big pivotal year for them as the move from one generation to another with a more thinking on that future. Square Watermelons were really in danger of going extinct. It’s not a big money maker for farmers. It’s more for passion and local pride, local identity. I’ll go back next year if I can because they’re my friends and I’m rooting for them and will help as much as I can.
@@onlyinjapan
Thank you for the explanation. My father used to tell me that when he was a child/teenager, his father sometimes in the summer would buy 4-5-6 watermelons and keep them under the bed for a couple of weeks until they ate them all :-) In my family we sometimes eat watermelon with Greek cheese (very salty). The flavor combination is wonderful.
Reupload?
No
Is this a reupload video from your old channel?
The situation has changed a lot, square watermelons are / were endangered and going extinct until 2022. No young people wanted to grow them or they weren’t being let in. Now it’s thriving, but in a different way. Def not the same as before, just same topic. Like doing an episode on ramen or apartments in Shibuya, it can be done in a new way each time.
Nah that Truck it's so handsome and clean
Could the square watermelon ripen over time to eat? How long before they turn red?
This is as close as I'm getting to a minecraft watermelon IRL 😅
If only I can invent a round box to ship a round watermelon in . . .
Actually those are cubed not squared. This 🎁 was the only thing - aside from a die - that I could find in emojis for the shape. 😮
The Japanese have a different relationship with fruit then any others I’ve seen.
The astronomical amount that they will pay for a singular piece of fruit, because it looks absolutely perfect & pristine so they can give it to somebody as a present…
That’s not my bag.
Of course they have a real fascination/obsession with butts…that could be the real reason for their fascination with Sumo…😄…of course I like Sumo
John, it’s really good to see you. You’ve been on my mind a bit lately, wondering how you were doing. You look well - that’s great.
Look forward to more vids 👍🏻
~ Kevin
You’re right, they’re going by simple shape. A square watermelon is a cube but still called “Square Watermelon” 🍉😉 so there’s the technical name for the 3D product and the name name of it.
I remember first seeing and hearing about square watermelons from a science journal we were given at school (the print quality wasn't that great though so the photo wasn't the best) and I thought it was pretty cool. It's fun to see how the watermelon gets it's shape in this video although not gonna lie, I was kind of disappointed to know after all these years that they're not made for eating lol. I love eating watermelons so I thought it'd be enjoyable to eat them with that shape but I do get why they can't be ripened and all. I wonder though if there's any recipe out there that could use a bitter, unripe watermelon haha.
It was mentioned in the video that you've covered this story before and I'm guessing the video is on the old channel. I'm gonna have to watch it later cause I don't think I've seen it yet.
I wonder if they made them a little bit bigger if they would ripen up because I know they’re or ornamental. But also, I think it would be fun to eat a square watermelon. Maybe the new generations can invent a bigger box. 🍉
Maybe there’s a market for it now that wasn’t there 40-50 years ago. Still, what he said about the time to get it to the store, if it doesn’t sell, it goes bad fast.
What are the profit margins like for this? I can't image the farmers themselves making that much considering all the labour and people involved. But they still continue the tradition, which I like. I wanna buy one of these when I visit to support them. I wonder if they ever keep a few ripe ones to try out.
They produce 200-400 square watermelons a year depending on weather and other circumstances, 80 one year when it was bad. It’s not a bit market, the retail for ¥12,000 each in 2024. I don’t think they’re charging enough for it 😂 esp with the number of failures, I can’t imagine they do this just for profit.
we have square foods grown as well here bc one can stack up to 4x more than just leaving it to grow in open. means more money if one can grow a ton more in same space. money 101