Japanese citrus facts for kids

A yuzu fruit

A Shonan Gold fruit

Japan is famous for many things, and one of them is its amazing citrus fruits! These juicy fruits are a big part of Japanese food and culture. Many of these special fruits originally came from China, but over time, they have been grown and changed in Japan to create unique types you can only find there. Think of them like super cool cousins of the oranges and lemons you know!

Meet the Japanese Citrus Fruits!

There are many different kinds of citrus fruits grown in Japan. Each one has its own special taste, smell, and look. Some are sweet, some are sour, and some are used for cooking or drinks. Here is a list of some of the most interesting Japanese citrus fruits:

Common name(s)	Image	What it is	Fun Facts
Amanatsu		Citrus x natsudaidai	This fruit is yellowish-orange and about the size of a grapefruit. It has a slightly flattened shape and contains about 12 sections.
Banpeiyu (pomelo cultivar)		Citrus maxima	The Banpeiyu is a type of pomelo, which is the largest citrus fruit. It's known for its thick rind and sweet, juicy flesh.
Bushukan (Buddha's hand)		Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis	This fruit looks like a hand with many "fingers"! It's mostly rind and doesn't have much juice or pulp. It's often used for its strong, sweet smell.
Daidai		Citrus × daidai	The Daidai is a bitter orange. It's often used in traditional Japanese New Year decorations and in cooking.
Dekopon		Citrus unshiu x sinensis x C. poonensis	The Dekopon is famous for its bumpy top, like a small hat! It's very sweet and easy to peel, making it a popular snack.
Haruka		Citrus tamurana x natsudaidai	Haruka means "spring scent" in Japanese. This fruit has a mild, sweet taste and a lovely fragrance.
Hassaku orange		Citrus x hassaku	The Hassaku orange is known for its slightly bitter taste and firm texture. It's often eaten fresh.
Hyuganatsu		Citrus tamurana	This fruit has a bright yellow rind and a unique sweet-sour flavor. People often eat it with a sprinkle of sugar.
Iyokan		Citrus x iyo	The Iyokan is a popular citrus fruit in Japan. It's known for its rich, sweet taste and strong aroma.
Jabara		Citrus x jabara	The Jabara is a rare citrus fruit. It's known for having special compounds that might help with allergies.
Kabosu		Citrus sphaerocarpa	Kabosu is a sour green citrus, similar to a lime. It's often used to add a tangy flavor to Japanese dishes, especially fish.
Karatachi (Japanese bitter orange)		Citrus trifoliata	This is a very sour and bitter orange. It's mostly used as a rootstock for grafting other citrus trees.
Kanpei		Citrus x natsudaidai	The Kanpei is a newer type of citrus. It's known for being very juicy and having a sweet, refreshing taste.
Kawachi Bankan (Mishokan)		Citrus kawachiensis	This fruit is sometimes called the "Japanese grapefruit" because of its size and slightly bitter taste.
Kinkan (Kumquat)		Citrus japonica	Kumquats are small, oval citrus fruits that you can eat whole, including the peel! The peel is sweet, and the inside is tart.
Kinkoji unshiu		Citrus obovoidea x unshiu	This is a hybrid citrus, meaning it's a mix of two different types.
Kishu		Citrus kinokuni	Kishu mandarins are tiny and very sweet. They are often called "seedless mandarins" and are easy to peel.
Kiyomi		Citrus unshiu x sinensis	Kiyomi is a cross between a Mikan and an orange. It's known for being very sweet and juicy.
Kobayashi mikan		Citrus natsudaidai x unshiu	Another hybrid citrus, combining traits from two different fruits.
Koji orange		Citrus leiocarpa	The Koji orange is a small, sweet mandarin-like fruit. It's often used in traditional Japanese sweets.
Kuchinotsu No.37		Kiyomi x encore	This is a newer hybrid fruit, developed for its good taste and easy peeling.
Mikan		Citrus unshiu	Mikan is one of the most popular citrus fruits in Japan. It's a type of mandarin orange, known for being sweet, seedless, and easy to peel.
Ōgonkan		Citrus flaviculpus	Ōgonkan means "golden fruit." It's a small, very sweet citrus with a bright yellow color.
Ponkan (Tangerine)		Citrus poonensis	The Ponkan is a type of tangerine. It's sweet, juicy, and has a loose peel, making it easy to enjoy.
Reikou			This is a newer, very sweet and fragrant citrus fruit.
Sakurajima komikan (mandarin orange cultivar)		Citrus x sinensis	This is one of the smallest mandarins in the world! It grows near the Sakurajima volcano and is very sweet.
Sanbokan		Citrus sulcata	The Sanbokan is a unique citrus with a distinctive shape. It has a good balance of sweet and sour flavors.
Shonan gold		Citrus flaviculpus x Citrus unshiu	Shonan Gold is a bright yellow citrus. It's known for its refreshing taste and pleasant aroma.
Shikuwasa (Shiikwaasaa, Shequasar, Hirami lemon)		Citrus x depressa	Shikuwasa is a small, green, very sour citrus. It's often used like a lime or lemon in drinks and cooking.
Sudachi		Citrus sudachi	Sudachi is another small, green, sour citrus, similar to Kabosu. It's a popular seasoning in Japanese cuisine.
Tachibana		Citrus tachibana or Citrus reticulata var. tachibana	The Tachibana is a very old and traditional Japanese citrus. It's often seen as a symbol of Japan.
Tankan		Citrus poonensis × Citrus sinensis	Tankan is a sweet and juicy citrus, a mix between a Ponkan and an orange.
Yukou		Citrus yuko	The Yukou is a rare citrus fruit. It has a unique aroma and is used in some special dishes.
Yuzu		Citrus junos	Yuzu is a very fragrant and sour citrus. It's widely used in Japanese cooking, from sauces to desserts, and even in hot baths!