This year's Bon Festival, I went to "Takenaka Shoten" where fruits and vegetables, including Yubari melons, are cheap. I buy offerings for my late uncle and aunt who were very kind to me every year from here. They are only open during this time of year, so I only visit once a year. Some customers even said, "I'm here again this year." Yubari Melon (Kyosen): This year, Yubari melons are expensive due to a poor harvest, but I splurged and bought the "Kyosen" recommended by the agricultural cooperative. Yubari Watermelon: They have various types of Yubari watermelons, including the "black-skinned watermelon." It's the same variety as the famous "Densuke watermelon" from Asahikawa, Hokkaido. They are big and cheap here, starting from just over 1,000 yen. Tomatoes: You can get 28 small tomatoes for 500 yen. The staff said, "It's cheap, right? Our tomatoes." Even if the price goes up a bit, I will still buy them. I will visit again next year.

Today, August 13, is the start of the Bon Festival. How are you all spending your Bon Festival? Every year at this time, I bring offerings for my late uncle and aunt to my cousin's house. I always buy these offerings from Taketanaka Shoten in Yubari City. They sell local products like Yubari melons, local vegetables, and fruits at their direct sales store. Among the many direct sales stores, this one seems to be the most affordable, so I always use it. Yubari Melon (selected individually) - 2 for 1,000 yen. These melons are cheaper than the ones recommended by the agricultural cooperative. The store owner suggested the individually selected melons, saying they are very sweet and a good deal. I hope my uncle and aunt are okay with the cheaper melons. Yubari Sun Watermelon - 980 yen. This watermelon has a yellow skin, which is rare. I bought it out of curiosity. The flesh inside is red. I wonder how it tastes. Tomatoes (24 pieces, size M) - 700 yen. The price of tomatoes varies, but these are very cheap. Offerings are about the thought, not the price, right? Now that I have paid my respects to my uncle and aunt, it's time to get back to work. There's no rest for the poor, right?

I went to the annual Yubari melon direct sales store "Takenaka Shoten" to buy offerings for the Bon festival. Most of the products are more expensive than last year, but it can't be helped as the farmers' costs have also increased. However, the melon farmers mentioned that this year's Yubari melons are of exceptional quality, surpassing their price in terms of deliciousness. This year, instead of the "Kyosan" approved by the agricultural cooperative, I recommend the slightly less visually appealing but cheaper "Kosen". The melons are perfectly ripe today, with the skin turning orange. I also bought a Yubari watermelon for 1,500 yen, which is the same variety as the one I bought last year. It is a specialty of Kitami Town, Hokkaido, similar to the "Densuke watermelon". I also received some vegetables as a service. Thank you! See you again next year for the Bon festival.