Ehime Mikan: Where to Eat, Prices & Hours (Ehime)

Ehime mikan is a flavor that represents Ehime, one of Japan foremost citrus kingdoms. Especially along the coast of Yawatahama and the Uwa Sea, stone walled terraced fields spread across steep slopes facing the sea, where mandarin oranges are carefully grown. Bathed in three suns, sunlight from the sky, reflection off the sea surface, and glare from the stone walls, the fruit ripens with deep sweetness.

Growing Areas and Character

Yawatahama is one of the leading mikan growing areas in Ehime, said to account for roughly half of the whole prefecture output. The terraced fields, carved from mountains and built up with stacked stones, keep the trees from overlapping and offer good sun and drainage, so the fruit grows with a rich taste. Mandarin oranges are grouped by harvest time into extra early, early, mid, ordinary, and late, and varieties characteristic of the area such as Miyagawa Wase and Nankan No. 20 are grown.

Highlights

The very sight of the terraced fields overlooking the sea is a highlight. The scenery from autumn into winter, when orange fruit hangs densely, is stunning, and the whole growing region comes alive at harvest time.

Enjoying the Seasons

Mandarin oranges peak from autumn into winter. In Ehime, extra early fruit starts to appear from around mid September, early types in November and December, and mid, ordinary, and late types from December into mid January, with the taste shifting by period. From the crisp acidity of the first fruit to the deep sweetness of the fully ripe, one eaten under a warm kotatsu in winter is a special treat. Processed goods such as juice and jelly are also plentiful.

Practical Travel Notes

In growing areas along the Uwa Sea coast such as Yawatahama and Uwajima, you can buy mikan at farm stands, roadside stations, and city shops. From autumn into winter there are also tourist orchards where you can pick mikan, which pairs well with the terraced field scenery. Outside the peak season, processed goods and other citrus take center stage, so if you are after fresh mikan a visit during the harvest season is recommended.

A Quick Tip

Fruit with a deep skin color that feels heavy in the hand tends to be sweet. Chilling it slightly tightens the balance of sweetness and acidity.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• The strength of the growing area: According to Ehime Prefecture's official statistics, the prefecture ranked first in Japan for the harvest of satsuma mandarins in the 2023 (Reiwa 5) crop year and second in production value. Its 42 varieties of citrus under cultivation are the most in Japan.
• Public facilities where you can buy it: Agora Marche inside Roadside Station and Minato Oasis Yawatahama Minatto (1581-23 Okishinden, Yawatahama City). The farm-direct and local produce sales area is open 8:30-18:00, and there is parking for 192 ordinary cars.
• Access: 5 minutes by car from Yawatahama Station on the JR Yosan Line, a 3-minute walk from the Yawatahama Ferry Terminal, and 25 minutes by car from the Ozu IC on the Matsuyama Expressway.
• On the way: At Orange BAR on the 1st floor of Matsuyama Airport (8:00-19:15) you can enjoy juice pressed whole from seasonal citrus on the spot, as well as the famous mandarin juice tap.
• Points to note: Thanks to a year-round supply system that runs from satsuma mandarins in September on to Beni Madonna, Iyokan and Kawachi Bankan, the citrus varieties on display change with the season.

* Opening hours and prices at individual shops vary from shop to shop.

(Sources: Ehime Prefecture official Citrus Statistics; Agora Marche official website; Yawatahama Minatto official website; Matsuyama Airport official page on Orange BAR)

Information Sources

This article is compiled from tourist information for Ehime Prefecture and its growing areas together with information published by the individual shops. Prices and sales periods are subject to change, so please check the official information of each shop for details.

Sightseeing Checklist

• Budget guide: Processed products from a few hundred yen, and boxed gift sets are popular too
• Where to buy it: Farm stands and souvenir shops throughout the prefecture, and mandarin juice stands
• Recommended time of day: Fresh fruit is in season from autumn to spring (depending on the variety), while processed products are available all year round
• Avoiding the crowds: Farm stands get busy at weekends during the harvest season, so weekdays are more relaxed
• Enjoy it together with: A coastal drive past the spreading citrus groves, and a tasting comparison of mandarin juices