Mikan in Japan

Mikan is one of my favorite fruits in Japan. Commonly grown in autumn and winter, Mikan, which is known as Citrus unshiu, is a seedless and easy pealing citrus mutant of Chinese origin. In Japan, it is known as Unshu Mikan. It is also often known as “seedless mandarin”. Its fruit is sweet and usually seedless, about the size of other mandarin oranges, smaller than other orange. The Mikan originates from Wenzhou, a city in Zhenjiang province in China. It was introduce to Japan by the Buddhist monk, Chie.

You would find a Mikan tree in most of old Japanese gardens. When they are full in fruits, it gives a beautiful site with orange colored Mikan hanging among green leaves.