Japan Introduces Square Watermelons

June 15 -- From the land that gave the world Godzilla, sushi and Pokémon comes what farmers hope will become the newest fad: square watermelons.

It may sound strange, but think about it. Watermelons are a tasty treat, but they're not exactly easy to fit in a refrigerator already crowded with summer snacks.

So, about 20 years ago, a farmer on the island of Shikoku in southwestern Japan came up with the idea of making a cube-shaped watermelon that can easily fit in the fridge.

How do you get a naturally oblong melon to grow as a square? Farmers grew the fruit in glass boxes. The fruit then naturally assumed the same shape.

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On Thursday, about 400 cuboid watermelons were shipped to Tokyo and Osaka. The growers are hoping big-city residents will develop a yen for the peculiarly shaped produce.

If city dwellers do have an appetite for the square melon, they'll have to pay. The melons are expected to be sold for around 10,000 yen apiece — equivalent to $83 U.S.