The Densuke watermelon is an exotic Japanese speciality from the Hokkaido island known to command prices in the thousands– for a single melon. But records for the Densuke watermelon were shattered Friday when a marine products dealer paid $6,100 for the delicacy.
The Densuke watermelon purchased had the watermelon’s characteristic black skin and weighed 17 pounds. The buyer of the Densuke watermelon said he wanted to support local industry.
The price is still not the highest for a melon in Japan– according to the Associated Press, a pair of Yubari canteloupes sold for $23,500 a couple months ago.
The Densuke watermelon and Yubari canteloupe sales are part of a wider national melon craze in Japan. Watermelons typically fetch around $200, and are sold shaped as hearts and squares.