There are many types of citrus fruits, and many varieties are grown all over Japan. Some varieties are widely cultivated nationwide, while others are produced in large quantities in specific regions.

Among them, Ehime is known as the "Citrus Kingdom" because of its top-class production volume and quality in the country. One of the local B-class gourmet foods that Ehime is proud of is igyokan.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of iyokan.

Characteristics of Iyokan

Iyokan is the second most produced citrus fruit after mandarin oranges. It looks like a heavy mandarin orange. It is in season in winter and is ripe to eat from January to March.

The skin is thick, but can be easily peeled by hand. If it is a little hard, make a slit with a knife and then peel it. The whitish skin on the inside is also thick, so it is recommended to peel it before eating.

When you peel the glossy deep orange skin, a refreshing aroma fills the room. It is filled with large, juicy flesh. Although it may contain a few seeds, it is full of sweet and sour juice and you can enjoy its juicy taste. With an excellent balance of sweetness and sourness, this variety is perfect for those who want a traditional citrus taste.

Another reason for the popularity of iyokan is that it is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C and citric acid. It has been loved for many years as a variety that has it all: appearance, taste, and aroma.

The history of Iyokan

The history of iyokan dates back to the Meiji period.

This variety was first discovered by chance in 1886 in the garden of Masamichi Nakamura in Higashibun Village, Abu County, Yamaguchi Prefecture (present-day Hagi City).

Iyokan was once thought to have been created by chance through natural crossbreeding between mandarins and oranges, but recent genome analysis has revealed that it is actually a cross between Umibenikan and Daibenikan.

Originally, they were called "Anamon mikan" (Anato mandarin oranges) after the old name of Yamaguchi Prefecture's former province of Nagato, Anamon. However, in 1889, Yasunori Miyoshi of Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, cultivated these iyokan oranges and shipped them to the Keihin Market under the name "Iyomikan," which is when they became popular.

The "iyo" in "iyomikan" is the former name of Ehime prefecture. It was called "iyomikan" because it was widely cultivated in Ehime, but in 1930 it was renamed "iyokan" to avoid confusion with Unshu mikan.

In 1955, a branch mutation of the "Miyauchi Iyokan" was discovered in the orchard of Yoshimasa Miyauchi in Hirata-cho, Matsuyama City. The "Miyauchi Iyokan" was registered as a seedling in 1966 and is now the mainstream variety. In addition, there are other branch mutations of the Miyauchi Iyokan such as the "Otani Iyokan" and the "Katsuyama Iyokan".

Incidentally, "iyokan" is popular among locals as a lucky food, with the name playing on the meaning of "good omen."

Tourist spots in Ehime

Ehime, where you can eat iyokan, has a variety of tourist spots. This time, we will introduce three popular tourist spots in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture.

Imabari Castle

Imabari Castle was built in the early Edo period by Todo Takatora, who was known as a master of castle construction. Since 1980, the castle tower, Tetsugomon Gate and other structures have been reconstructed, restoring the castle to its former grandeur.

The castle's moat facing the Seto Inland Sea has a unique structure where seawater flows in and out, so you can see fish swimming. Also, from the top floor of the castle tower, which is a 360-degree panoramic observation deck, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Seto Inland Sea and the Shimanami Kaido. Imabari Castle is lit up at night, creating a fantastical sight, making it a popular date spot.

Towel Museum

The Towel Museum is a museum that combines towels and art. It is a tourist spot unique to Imabari, which is famous for its towel production.

The stylish, modern building will catch your eye. Inside the museum, you can enjoy artworks made with towels and see the towel manufacturing process. There is also a restaurant and cafe, so you can spend the whole day here, making it popular with families. In the spacious European garden covering approximately 33,000 square meters, you will be greeted by flowers of all seasons.

Yoshiumi Rose Park

Yoshiumi Rose Park is a park on Oshima Island in the Seto Inland Sea where you can enjoy beautiful flowers all year round. It is famous for its roses, and you can see Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms in the spring and winter cherry blossoms in the fall.

The garden is home to 400 varieties of roses collected from all over the world. There is also a cafe corner and a plaza with play equipment for children, making it a tourist spot visited by many people from all over Japan.

Ehime, an attractive place for both gourmet food and sightseeing, has a variety of ways to access it.

How to get to Ehime

Here's how to get there from Japan's three biggest cities: Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. If you're heading there from Tokyo, we recommend flying. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to get from Haneda Airport to Matsuyama Airport. From Nagoya Airport and Osaka Airport, it takes about 1 hour.

If you are heading to Imabari from Matsuyama Airport, you can take the limousine bus from the airport and arrive in front of Imabari Station in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

It takes about 4 hours from Kyoto Station to Matsuyama Station. There are express trains from Okayama Station and Takamatsu Station to Imabari Station and Matsuyama Station. It takes about 2 hours to Imabari Station and about 2 hours and 30 minutes to Matsuyama Station.

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Ehime. Find the best way to get there.

summary

The juicy, sweet and sour taste of iyokan is different from other citrus fruits. It also has a rich fragrance, allowing you to fully experience the charm of Ehime.

If you visit Ehime, be sure to try iyokan.

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