The banpeiyu (晩白柚 - pomelo, or it’s much more evocative Latin names, Citrus maxima or Citrus grandis) is the largest of all citrus fruit when including the rind, though the flesh (yup, that’s what they call it) itself is not much larger than the grapefruit. If you end up with one, toss the rind into your bath for silky-smooth skin.
One of the oldest citrus types in existence, it is intensively cultivated in the hills of Yatsushiro. Kumanichi reports that the region has begun banpeiyu exports to Hong Kong, trending with increased agricultural exports from Kumamoto to nearby countries due to improvements to Yatsushiro’s port facilities. The photo shows the Yatsushiro mayor passing a box of banpeiyu to a truck driver; presumably, a more efficient conveyance system will be introduced. Meantime, meeting a Hongkonger with silky-smooth skin, you’ll know why. - William
