Hiroshima prefecture is Japan’s no.1 area for lemon production. And within the prefecture, Ikuchijima Island produces Japan’s no.1 lemons!

On the opposite shore is Ikuchijima Island. Well then. let’s head to the island of lemons!

A drive along the sea road… Just when I was thinking about how pretty the bridges of Shimanami Kaido that connect the islands together are, I discover an interesting signboard.

Remondani (Lemon Valley)?! It sounds like a fairytale… Does it really exist……?

Without thinking, I stop the car and head on foot up the slope in the direction of the arrow.

And there it is, Lemon Valley! On the sunny slope, trees bend with the weight of lemons, lemons, and more lemons. During winter, the trees bear yellow fruit like this, but at the beginning of summer, lemon flowers bloom and you can see the green fruit.

Anyway, our destination was this shop.

Dolce is a shop that prides itself on its gelato made using local citrus fruit. The juicy fruit we just saw at lemon valley will surely make a delicious gelato! My heart beats faster with anticipation.

They all look delicious~! However, I must choose lemon after all. I decide on a double portion and order it together with the popular “Deko mandarin”.

Tadah! Under the blue sky I enjoy my gelato with “Setado lemon” (white) and “Setoda Deko mandarin”. (Setoda is the name of the citrus production area including Ikuchijima Island.)

It’s velvety, and though there is sourness, it’s mild~ According to the staff: “In comparison with imported lemons, the good thing about Setoda lemons is that they have a nice fragrance and mild flavor.”

The gelato is a simple treat made using mainly fruit juice and syrup. You can experience the fragrance and flavor of the actual fruit.

I sit down on the bench in front of the store by the sea and relax with the calm sound of the waves. The owner selected the location carefully – it’s truly a comfortable spot♪

Ikuchijima Island is filled with lemon fragrance and nature. If you visit, be careful, you might not want to go home…!

Setouchi, Island Tour / Ikuchijima Island

One of Japan’s leading areas for citrus fruit production, the Setoda area including Ikuchijima Island produces around 35% of the country’s total.

In addition, it’s an island filled with the aroma of history and culture, and is home to, for example, the Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art, Kosan-ji Temple, as well as the “Island-wide Art Museum” with sculptures dotting outdoor locations.

Remondani (Lemon Valley)
Address: Tarumi, Setoda-cho, Onomichi city, Hiroshima prefecture (At the foot of Tatara Bridge, Ikuchijima Island side)

Dolce Setoda Main Store
Address: 20-8 Hayachi, Setoda-cho, Onomichi city, Hiroshima prefecture
Open: 10.00 till sunset everyday
Tel: 0845-26-4046
HP: http://www.setoda-dolce.com/ (Japanese)
Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Izumi Furukawa

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Gourmet Gourmet Hiroshima Onomichi City

Written by

Izumi Furukawa

Izumi Furukawa Hello. My name is Izumi Furukawa and I was born in Kagawa Prefecture. Before getting married in 2012, I wrote for various magazine companies and Internet based media organizations in Tokyo. After marrying, I moved to Hiroshima and am now raising my child as well as writing stories about my fascination with this area through Setouchi Finder. Most of the articles I write are about places I visit on weekends with my family. My favorite driving course is Route 375 from Saijyo to the Miyoshi Area, and my favorite food from the Hiroshima area is Anagomeshi (from Miyajima)!!

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