Giant watermelon in Iwate!

Spotted while driving to Akita Prefecture - a giant watermelon in Takizawa Village in Iwate! This giant watermelon is on the grounds of the Morioka Gas Company's Takizawa Plant. It is in fact a gas holder (gasometer).  You can see gas holders in several towns and cities around Japan. Most of them are an eye sore. But this one, that is painted to look like a giant watermelon, is a fun landmark to watch out for while driving through Takizawa on the Tohoku expressway!

Moreover, it has become a photo spot due to the unusualness of it and the fact that there is little else of interest in the immediate area! I read online that it looks particularly cool in winter when its surrounded by snow. But I've also seen photos that were taken from the west that makes it look like its actually growing out of the ground!