🎎 Orange Picking Experience (Yorii Town, Saitama Prefecture)

Located in Yoshimi Town, Saitama Prefecture, the Kazafu and Kobayashi areas attract a large number of tourists each year, as they are renowned for producing Wenzhou mandarins. The Kazafu area has 12 farms, while the Kobayashi area has 8 farms concentrated here. The cultivation of mandarins originated around 400 years ago during the Tenshō era (1573-1593). At that time, the Hōjō clan, which ruled this area, brought back seeds of mandarins from the present-day Odawara region in Kanagawa Prefecture. Later, in the 4th year of the Ansei era (1821), Tajima Yahachi, a native of the Kazafu area, brought back seeds of Ehime mandarins from the present-day Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku for cultivation. During this time, which was marked by post-war food shortages, many urban residents came to this area specifically to purchase mandarins. The Kazafu and Kobayashi areas are surrounded by mountains and are located in a warm basin, with both regions traversed by the Kazafu River, which originates from Mount Kamafuke. Local residents grow Wenzhou mandarins on the slopes. In the past, the mandarins were known for their sweet and sour flavor, but it is said that due to the effects of global warming, their sweetness has been increasing year by year. Today, in addition to participating in mandarin picking experiences at the orchards, visitors can purchase locally produced vegetables, handmade konjac, and miso oden. During the mandarin picking experience, participants can enjoy picking mandarins while admiring the autumn foliage in the mountains and experiencing the refreshing nature of the season.

The history of cultivating honey oranges dates back over 400 years. You can enjoy the autumn leaves while picking oranges and experience nature. You can also taste the local delicacy, handmade konjac miso oden.