Discover Setoda
Setoda, in the city of Onomichi, Hiroshima. Ikuchijima and Kōnejima, two islands near the centre of the Seto Inland Sea, are home to the Setoda lemon.
Where
Western Honshu, on the Seto Inland Sea.
Japan's largest lemon-growing prefecture by volume.
Starting point of the Shimanami Kaidō, the chain of bridges linking Honshu and Shikoku.
Midway along the Shimanami Kaidō, at the foot of the Tatara Bridge.
Terroir
JA Hiroshima's material describes Ikuchijima and Kōnejima as mild and relatively dry, with soils that are mostly well-drained granite. Half of the land is steep slope. Citrus grows on terraced plots that catch the light reflected off the sea.
The story
Lemons are said to have been grown in Setoda since the Meiji era. A concerted effort to build a growing area began in 1927. The Tarumi district came to be known as “Lemon Valley”, and by 1963 Setoda was producing about 900 tonnes, the most of any area in Japan at the time.16
In 1964, lemon imports were liberalised. Japanese lemons were hit hard; growers cut down their trees and most of the orchards disappeared.17
In time, the value of home-grown lemons was recognised again. Led by the agricultural cooperative, the whole island joined a campaign in which every household planted one are (100 m²) of lemons. The orchards came back, and growers today continue to aim for a lemon that can be eaten peel and all.17
Based on JA Hiroshima's booklet “Setoda Citrus, 2026”.
Commercial lemon growing begins.16
The “Lemon Valley” growing area takes shape.16
Production reaches about 900 tonnes.16
Lemon imports are liberalised; the growing area is hit hard.17
An optical-sensor grading line is installed.20
Award of Excellence at the 8th Environmentally Friendly Agriculture Promotion Contest.20
Certified by Hiroshima Prefecture as specially cultivated produce.2
The optical-sensor grading line is renewed.20
The Setoda Eco Lemon Group receives the Emperor's Cup at the 62nd Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Festival.19
Two names
On this site, the name for lemons grown in Setoda (Ikuchijima and Kōnejima) and shipped through JA Hiroshima's Setoda packing house.
Within that, lemons certified under Hiroshima Prefecture's special cultivation scheme. The name is a registered trademark of JA Hiroshima. “Eco” here does not mean certified organic.12
Which grades and categories we can supply varies with the season; we will advise when you get in touch.
Growing
In Japan, “specially cultivated” produce is grown with both the number of synthetic pesticide applications and the nitrogen from chemical fertiliser reduced to half or less of the usual practice in that region. Setoda Eco Lemon® has been certified by Hiroshima Prefecture since 2008. It does not mean pesticide-free, and it is a different scheme from Japan's organic (JAS) certification.2
JA Hiroshima's leaflet states that Setoda Eco Lemon® is not treated with fungicide or wax. For cooks who grate, preserve or simmer the peel, that is a useful thing to know.1
GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) is a way of managing farms that keeps both the produce and the people working there safe. Setoda's growers manage their orchards along these lines.5
| All lemons | 374 |
|---|---|
| Setoda Eco Lemon® (specially cultivated) | 122 |
| Hiroshima Lemon (standard) | 288 |
| Greenhouse lemons | 6 |
A household may ship in more than one category, so the breakdown does not sum to the total. The figures of 120 (fiscal 2026) and 122 (2025 crop) refer to different years.4
Recognition
At the 62nd Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Festival (fiscal 2023), the Setoda Eco Lemon Group, an association of growers, received the Emperor's Cup in the horticulture category. The festival is a national programme, organised with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, that honours outstanding work in farming, forestry and fisheries; the Emperor's Cup is the top award in each category. The group was recognised for its sustained special cultivation and its work on distribution and product development.19
The award was made to the growers' group. It is not a product endorsement by the Imperial Household.
We deliver our lemons across Japan with confidence and pride, as a leading name in Japanese-grown lemons in both reputation and substance.
Shapes & products
Heart Lemon® and Star Lemon® are grown inside moulds fitted while the fruit is still small. Slice one, and a heart or a star appears: on the rim of a glass, on a dessert plate, at a celebration. The growers have also developed a wide range of products made with Eco Lemon.
SETODA LEMON
Cooking, drinks, pastry or processing: tell us what you have in mind and when, and we will connect you with the growers' cooperative.
Hiroyoshi Numazaki
J-Catalyst / Higashi Nippon Broadcasting (khb)
Weekdays 10:00–17:00, Japan Standard Time
