A single pair of premium Yubari melons fetched a record 3 million yen at the season's first auction in Sapporo on Thursday.

The winning bid was placed by the buyer for a supermarket in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, Fuji TV reported. The price was double last year's.

High prices are the norm for the opening auction of the season and reflect buyers' desire for prestige. Yubari melons are considered a status symbol in Japan with many being bought as a gift for friends and colleagues.

The best-quality Yubari melons are perfect spheres with a smooth, evenly patterned rind. A T-shaped stalk is left on the fruit, which is usually sold in an ornate box.

© Japan Today/AFP