Kyukamura Irago, a resort hotel near the tip of Aichi Prefecture's Atsumi Peninsula (Address: 1 Omatsuue, Nakayama-cho, Tahara City; Manager: Tetsuya Shimada), is launching a stay plan combining all-you-can-eat musk melon, a local specialty of the Atsumi Peninsula, with a melon harvesting experience, starting Wednesday, July 15. Thanks to the peninsula's long hours of sunshine, its melons are prized for their rich sweetness and fragrant aroma. Together with a range of discounted campaigns marking Kyukamura Irago's 60th anniversary, the resort invites guests to enjoy a rewarding summer getaway at a great value.
Atsumi Peninsula, a Leading Melon-Growing Region
The Atsumi Peninsula (Tahara City), which stretches east to west without any major mountains, gets long hours of sunshine and mild winters thanks to the Kuroshio Current, with many clear days -- ideal conditions for agriculture. Since the Toyogawa irrigation canal began supplying water in 1968, the area has grown into one of Japan's leading agricultural regions, ranking second nationwide in agricultural output by municipality in fiscal 2023.
Melon shipments from the peninsula are among the highest in Japan. Varieties ranging from open-field to greenhouse-grown are cultivated here, producing high-quality, richly fragrant, sweet melons shipped nationwide.
Atsumi Peninsula's Signature Melon Varieties
Yellow King
Mostly available from May through mid-July. Its flesh is white, with a smooth texture and a light, refreshing sweetness. It rarely appears outside the growing region, making it a rare find.
Takami Melon
Mostly shipped from late June through early August. Known for its fine netted rind, it has firm, green flesh. With a sugar content of around 16 degrees Brix, it's very sweet and richly fragrant.
Earl's Melon (Musk Melon)
Mostly shipped from around July through September. Its rich aroma, likened to musk, is the origin of the name "musk melon," and it offers an especially concentrated flavor and fragrance.
All-You-Can-Eat Melon and Harvest Plan (Limited to 10 Groups a Day)
This 1-night, 2-meal plan combines all-you-can-eat ripe musk melon at the partner farm "Seaside Farm Irago," about a 20-minute drive away, with a hands-on harvest of one melon to take home as a souvenir -- a dream tasting experience for any melon lover, and a special summer treat.
This popular annual plan lets guests enjoy the Atsumi Peninsula's seasonal flavors. For those arriving by public transportation, a shuttle to the melon farm departs from Kyukamura Irago at 10:00 AM.
Period: July 15 (Wed) to August 18 (Tue), 2026
Price: 1 night with 2 meals, from ¥18,600 (tax included) -- price per adult when two people share a Japanese-style room on a weekday
Seaside Farm Irago (Melon Farm)
Address: 155 Shimo-Omichi, Waji-cho, Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture
Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (melon-picking reception closes at 3:30 PM)
Phone: 0531-38-0031
A Lighter Option: Half Melon and Harvest Plan (Limited to 10 Groups a Day)
For guests who want an easier way to enjoy melon picking, this stay plan lets them savor half a ripe musk melon at the farm's garden seating, then harvest and take home a whole melon from the greenhouse as a souvenir.
Period: July 1 (Wed) to August 18 (Tue), 2026
Price: 1 night with 2 meals, from ¥17,500 (tax included) -- price per person when two people share a Japanese-style room on a weekday
More Melon Farms Across the Atsumi Peninsula
For a full guide and map of melon farms across the peninsula, see the Atsumi Peninsula Tourism Bureau's musk melon picking guide and map page: https://www.taharakankou.gr.jp/special/melon/
Summer Dinner Buffet: "Local Pride, Summer Feast"
Kyukamura Irago's summer dinner buffet makes generous use of the bounty of the Atsumi Peninsula and surrounding area, including seafood delivered directly from the Atsumi fish market, local vegetables, and branded meats such as "Aichi Mikawa Beef" and Toyohashi's "Shurei Pork." Summer tomatoes and herbs give the Italian-style spread an appetizing lift even in the heat. Both melon-picking stay plans introduced above include this dinner buffet.
Dishes include a pizza topped with Shinojima whitebait and summer vegetables, herb-crumbed Shurei pork, and local fish and octopus in a tomato-based preparation.
Melon for Breakfast Too: "Melon Every Morning" Campaign
For guests staying in July and August, the "Irago Morning Buffet" breakfast features one seasonal local melon variety each day, rotating among Yellow King, Kissmee, Takami Melon, and Earl's Melon. Enjoy the region's delicious melons to the fullest, starting first thing in the morning.
Period: July 2 (Thu) morning to September 1 (Tue) morning, 2026
Note: the melon variety served depends on availability.
About Kyukamura Irago
Kyukamura Irago sits near the tip of the Atsumi Peninsula within Mikawa Bay Quasi-National Park. The resort's spacious grounds include a hotel, cottages, and a campground, along with tennis courts, a ground golf course, walking trails, and a dog run. 2026 marks the resort's 60th anniversary since it opened in December 1966, and it is marking the milestone with a range of special campaigns and events.
Address: 1 Omatsuue, Nakayama-cho, Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture 441-3615
Manager: Tetsuya Shimada
Website: https://www.qkamura.or.jp/irago/
