>>52744133They’re using it as a flotation device. Japanese pumpkins are a bit different from the Halloween Jack’O’Lantern pumpkins most Americans are familiar with. The harder outer shell and the more spongey flesh texture inside makes it natural for a buoyancy aid, especially for children. It was also part of a Japanese tradition to not only prepare it for being used in a hot-pot dish, but it was also believed that the healing properties of the naturally occurring hot springs would amplify the nutritional value of the pumpkin itself. This was proven to be partially true when scientists analyzed the pH of the hot springs and how it allowed the body to more easily digest the proteins of the pumpkin. They even found an “interesting” effect on fertility as a result:
I made it all up. I don’t know what I’m talking about. Get rused idiots! 