Ito Noen
Arida citrus, straight. Pure juice and agar jelly to taste — Ito Noen.
Ito Noen is a citrus specialist based in Arida, Wakayama Prefecture — growing citrus and crafting it into juices and sweets. The signature is "100% Pure Juice." By removing both outer and inner peel and pressing only the fruit pulp, the method keeps peel-derived harshness and bitterness out — that's the characteristic. Another popular item is "Pure Fruit Agar Jelly." Based on juice, set with agar and raw sugar — described as using no gelatin or pectin. Centered on satsuma mandarins, the citrus range is broad too — hassaku, ponkan, iyokan, yuzu. From standard assortments to gifts, a lineup that properly leaves the joy of choosing.
Why We Love It
For your first pick, start with the satsuma mandarin "100% Pure Juice." Because of the peel-free pressing method, the citrus-like aroma comes out honestly. Next, mix in citrus with slightly different expressions — like hassaku and iyokan — for a "tasting comparison." Gift boxes also have guidance allowing free selection of contents — so it's nice to assemble matching preferences. For a snack lean, the "Pure Fruit Agar Jelly." With light mouth-touch from juice × agar, chilling makes hands reach for it. Since table-side items like ponzu and citrus pepper also line up, packaging together with juice creates cohesion.
PROFILE About the Company / Workshop
Arida in Wakayama is land known as a famous mikan producing region. Ito Noen grows citrus here and connects it into forms where you can taste the fruit's appeal as-is. From field to processing and sales — the closeness of distance is the foundation of product making.
What's cherished on the cultivation side is carefully growing while putting in hands. The initiative of keeping pesticide use to half or less of conventional farming and growing only with organic fertilizer is also introduced as connecting to "Special Agricultural Product" certification. The honesty of materials also connects to the juice and jelly flavor.
The signature "100% Pure Juice" is characterized by removing outer and inner peel and pressing only the pulp. To avoid peel harshness and bitterness, the yield is said to be about 30%. Using more fruit than common pressing methods, the citrus-like aroma and outline come out easily — a bottle where you can see such intent.
Citrus variations are also fun. Centered on satsuma mandarins, multiple citrus line up — ponkan, kiyomi, iyokan, hassaku, yuzu. Gift boxes also have guidance allowing free selection of contents — happy that you can assemble by preference and season. A lineup where tasting comparison naturally becomes possible.
The snack-side representative is "Pure Fruit Agar Jelly." Based on Ito Noen's juice, solidified with agar and raw sugar — said to use no gelatin or pectin. You can enjoy the juice aroma with a smooth, light mouth-touch. Chilled, it accompanies post-meal dessert too.
Beyond juice and jelly, "citrus for the table" — mikan/yuzu ponzu, citrus pepper, mikan shichimi — are also prepared. With expansions into drinks too — mikan ale, cider. A lineup from standards to slightly unexpected items that increases ways to enjoy citrus.
And a stop-by spot worth remembering is the direct shop "Mikan no Ki." Additive-free juice, processed goods, and seasonal fresh citrus line up — business hours 9:00-17:30, open daily (excluding Obon and New Year). Together with online, it's also a place suited for "mikan resupply" mid-journey.
"100% Pure Juice" — pressed with outer and inner peel removed
Ito Noen's juice has a method that removes outer and inner peel, pressing only the fruit pulp. By keeping peel-derived components from entering, the brand aims for a flavor that suppresses harshness and bitterness. The juice yield is said to be about 30% — using fruit lavishly compared to common pressing methods is also a characteristic.
"Pure Fruit Agar Jelly" — solidifying juice with agar
The jelly is in a style of solidifying with agar and raw sugar, based on Ito Noen's juice. Described as using no gelatin or pectin. With one mouthful, the citrus aroma rises — and the aftertaste fades cleanly light. A type you're happy to have in the refrigerator.
Founded in 1897, with Arida citrus making as background
Founded in 1897 (Meiji 30). With history of walking together with citrus in the Arida mikan producing region. On cultivation, the initiative of keeping pesticide use to half or less of conventional farming and growing only with organic fertilizer is also introduced as connecting to the "Special Agricultural Product" certification.
Direct shop "Mikan no Ki" and gift options
At the direct shop "Mikan no Ki," seasonal fresh citrus is also lined up in addition to juice and jelly. Online, gift assortments and gifts are also abundant. Options that add feelings — like custom-made tags for celebration returns and gift cards (message-supported) matched to use — are also prepared.