JAPAN'S yearly shipment of square watermelons started on Wednesday in the western Kagawa prefecture.
The shipment of the square watermelons from Zentsuji on the island of Shikoku is expected to continue until late July, with each fruit priced at around 10,000 yen (US$90), reports Kyodo News.
Square watermelons, which are harvested while still unripe, are not edible and are generally purchased as ornaments to be placed in department stores and fruit shops.
The watermelons are shaped into about 18cm cubes by being grown in transparent plastic containers with iron frames that allow for sufficient sunlight.
The development of such watermelons started about 50 years ago, with the aim of creating a fruit that is easy to store in a refrigerator.
However, the number of square watermelon growers have been declining due to fewer people going into the business and there are only seven farmers left in this specialised field.
Low temperatures since April this year also saw the fruit, which weighs about 6kg each, being harvested a week later than usual.
"I hope people will enjoy looking at these watermelons and blow away the summer heat," said Toshiyuki Yamashita, 73, who was involved in the development of square watermelons with his father.
It is estimated that about 80 per cent of the total watermelons grown turn into an ideal shape for sale.