This monorail extending toward the towering mountain is exclusively for harvesting mikan.

Unshu mandarin oranges, commonly known as mikan in Japan, originated in the Edo Period at the time of Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu. Cultivation and research continues here to this day.

From the end of the Taisho Era to the early Showa Era, migrant workers from Tohoku came to support the farmers harvesting mikan every fall.

Traditionally, harvested mikan were carried down the mountain on the backs of the workers. It wasn’t until about forty years ago that cableways were built and used, followed by farm roads, and eventually the monorails you see today.

This made it much easier for workers to transport their harvest up and down steep slopes.
Thanks to the Tohoku migrants and the monorail, this area has become one of the largest mikan producers in the country.

Before we move on, take a moment to recall the road we took to get here. Did you see all of the honey shop signs?

Actually, honey is closely connected to these mikan orchards.

The locals of Izumigaya have preserved the area’s natural beauty of various trees and flowers. Thanks to the bees pollinating all the flowers, Izumigaya has become a producer of high-quality honey, a local specialty.