Nara Prefecture is launching the 7th installment of its social media giveaway campaign series through the official X account of its PR VTuber, Nanaka. This time, three lucky winners will receive “Golden Jack,” a new watermelon variety developed in Nara Prefecture, through a lottery draw.

What Is Golden Jack?

Golden Jack is a new watermelon variety that was registered in 2025 by a seed company based in Nara Prefecture. This seedless watermelon features a striking contrast between its jet-black rind and lemon-yellow flesh. It has a pleasant texture with minimal fiber, firm flesh, high sugar content, and consistently excellent flavor.

Nara Prefecture’s Deep Ties to Watermelon

From the Meiji era through the Taisho era, Nara Prefecture was renowned nationwide as a major producer of “Yamato Watermelon,” known for its sweet flesh and sturdy rind. Even as watermelon cultivation spread across Japan during the rapid economic growth period, the techniques and expertise in breeding and seed production continued to be passed down within the prefecture.

Today, approximately 80–90% of watermelons grown across Japan are cultivated from seeds shipped by seed companies in Nara Prefecture, making the prefecture an essential pillar supporting watermelon cultivation nationwide.

How to Enter the Campaign

The entry period runs from July 13 (Mon), 2026, at 9:00 AM to July 26 (Sun) at 11:59 PM (JST). To participate, simply follow Nanaka’s official X account (@Vtuber_nanaka) and repost the campaign post. Three winners will be selected by lottery to receive a seedless black-rind “Golden Jack” watermelon (grown in Yamagata Prefecture).

Future Plans

This campaign is part of an ongoing initiative in which Nanaka, who debuted in March 2024, promotes Nara Prefecture’s specialty products and regional resources on social media. It marks the 7th installment of the series launched in fiscal year 2025. The campaign series is expected to continue as part of efforts to promote the appeal of Nara Prefecture.

Commentary

While more local governments are adopting official VTubers for public relations, Nanaka’s campaign has now reached its 7th installment, demonstrating that the initiative has firmly taken root as an ongoing operation. Using a VTuber to communicate Nara Prefecture’s surprising strength — supplying seeds for 80–90% of Japan’s watermelons — to younger audiences is an excellent example of regional branding done right.

Source: PR TIMES