Mandarin Orange

みかん

Japan's iconic winter fruit, with eating mandarins around the kotatsu (heated table) being a beloved seasonal tradition. Wakayama Prefecture ranks first nationally, followed by Shizuoka and Ehime. Seedless and easy to peel by hand, enjoyed by all ages

Taste & Texture

Well-balanced sweetness and moderate acidity with a refreshing citrus aroma. Early varieties are more tart; late varieties are sweeter

Season

MONTHLY AVAILABILITY

Jan - Dec

PEAK

※ Season is based on domestic field-grown availability

How to Choose

  • Choose mandarins with thin, taut skin that feel heavy for their size.

  • Vibrant orange color and a thin, dry stem indicate quality.

How to Store

  • Store at room temperature in a cool, well-ventilated place.

  • Store stem-side down without stacking to prevent bruising.

  • Can also be refrigerated in the vegetable compartment.

Shelf life 2-3 weeks at room temperature, 1 month refrigerated

Nutrition Facts

Wholesale Market Data

MARKET INSIGHTS

CHEAPEST Oct ¥275/kg
BUSIEST Dec 78,916t
Volume (t)
In season
Price (yen/kg)

Source: MAFF Wholesale Market Survey for Fresh Produce (2023)

Retail Price

Price Trend

Cheapest Nov ¥735/1kg
Most Expensive Mar ¥997/1kg

Annual Average

¥853/1kg

Source: Statistics Bureau Retail Price Survey (2026)

Production Ranking

Wakayama21.3%
Ehime16.4%
Shizuoka14.8%
Kumamoto11.9%
Nagasaki6.5%
Others29.1%
10%+
5%+
2%+
0.1%+
None

Map data: National Land Numerical Information (MLIT Japan)

#
Prefecture
Harvest (t)
Share
1
143,900
21.3%
2
111,100
16.4%
3
99,800
14.8%
4
80,600
11.9%
5
43,600
6.5%

Source: MAFF Crop Statistics / Agricultural Census (2021)

Top 5 Prefecture Harvest Trends (2018-2023)

Wakayama
Ehime
Shizuoka
Kumamoto
Nagasaki

Consumption Ranking

National Average (annual spending per household)

¥4,551 /year
#
City
Annual Spending
1
Wakayama Wakayama
¥7,780
2
Shizuoka Shizuoka
¥6,336
3
Niigata Niigata
¥5,482
4
Nara Nara
¥5,381
5
Utsunomiya Tochigi
¥5,286

Source: Statistics Bureau Family Income and Expenditure Survey (2024, two-or-more-person households, prefectural capital cities)