Shizuoka's food cultureKnow

 Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is known as one of the prefecture's leading tea producing areas. However, in recent years, some tea fields have fallen into disrepair. Amidst this, a new trend is gaining popularity: "Surfing Lemons." Why is lemon cultivation gaining attention in Makinohara City? We visited Makinohara, where sour happiness abounds, and spoke with members of the Surfing Lemons Committee.

 Makinohara, located in central Shizuoka Prefecture, is a town facing the hills along the Tokaido and Suruga Bay. Beyond the hills covered with tea fields lies the crystal clear sea.

Shizunami Beach, with its particularly good wave quality, is a surfing mecca where surfers from all over the country gather from spring to autumn. The beach is also home to a unique Statue of Liberty standing on a surfboard, which warms the hearts of visitors.

What Makinohara, a town famous for its surfing, is of course its tea.

Since the Edo period, tea plantations have expanded, and at its peak it became known as the number one tea producing region in Japan.

However, in recent years, the number of poorly maintained tea fields has increased, and how to make use of these neglected tea fields has become a major issue in Makinohara.

Members of the Lemon Division (Nijiya Horiuchi, Naohiro Oishi, Kazuyoshi Kinoshita, Haruka Takagaki)

To change this situation,2023Years8The Surfing Lemon Club was established in May 2016. They began cultivating lemons as a way to transform the tea fields into a wasteland.
The brand "Surfing Lemon" is based on Makinohara's surf culture.

The number of members in the committee continues to grow year by year,2025Years11As of the month,66The average age is40Relatively young, in their late 20s, they are not only cultivating lemons, but also working under the motto of "Sour Happiness!"PRWe are also actively involved in activities.

Furthermore, in order to make lemons more familiar to people, the sight of people wearing unique "lemon hats" at events has become a hot topic in the local area. "Lemon Man," Nijiya Horiuchi, who wears this hat and is on the front lines of public relations, is a popular figure at local events andSocial MediaIt is extremely popular and the number of "Surfing Lemon" fans is steadily increasing.

The strength of "Naminori Lemon" is its ease of cultivation, allowing it to be cultivated even on steep slopes and in small plots. Horiuchi says, "It's a great help in reviving the abandoned tea fields."

Among the members of the Surfing Lemon Club, about50The name is Tea Farmers. Many members grow lemons in addition to tea. The harvest season is10From the moon2Since it doesn't overlap with the busy tea season, they can continue cultivating the tea without straining themselves.

When you think of lemons, you might imagine a bright yellow fruit. However, "Naminori Lemon" comes in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. The "Naminori Lemon" brand brings together a wide variety of lemon varieties, including Lisbon, Eureka, Meyer, Sweet, and Rinoka.

Kazuyoshi Kinoshita is one of the people who grows these unique lemons.

Kinoshita, who originally grew mandarin oranges, decided to try his hand at lemons when he saw the establishment of the Surfing Lemon Club. He says he sympathized with the club's passion for branded lemons and decided to join.

In Kinoshita's field, Lisbon and Meyer2We cultivate a variety of grapes, taking advantage of their individual characteristics and continuing to carefully care for them to suit the local climate and soil.

Kinoshita smiles and says, "Every time the lemons ripen, it feels like the whole town becomes more lively."

"I'm also looking forward to the upcoming use of biochar. Turning the tea trees into charcoal and returning it to the soil will not only improve the soil but also reduce carbon dioxide emissions. I'm excited at the thought of being able to experience sustainable agriculture for myself," he says.

We also spoke with Naohiro Oishi, a member of the Surfing Lemons Club.

Oishi started growing lemons before the committee was even established. He says it all started when a city official approached him at a New Year's get-together and asked him, "We're starting to brand lemons in Makinohara, why don't you give it a try?"

"I had no experience in farming, so I thought it would be a chance to try something new," says Oishi with a sparkle in his eyes. He originally worked at a local agricultural cooperative, where he learned how to grow citrus fruits from a close senior colleague who was in charge of the work.

Oishi focuses on cultivating Lisbon grapes, which are cold-resistant and easy to grow. Although this is his first attempt, he says he is confident in the results.

"Harvesting is really fun. Setouchi lemons are representative of the west, but as a major producer in the east,"Surfing Lemon""I would be happy if I could help promote the area," says Oishi.

Kinoshita smiles and says, "I use it in cooking and add it to alcohol. When I'm working in the summer, I take a break and drink my homemade lemon water to replenish my energy. There's nothing happier than seeing my own lemons on the dinner table."

 "Naminori Lemon" can be purchased at roadside stations in Makinohara City and Aeon stores in Shizuoka Prefecture. The price is2~3Approximately 100 pieces per set460It costs about 100 yen. It's easy to get hold of, so try adding it to a variety of dishes and drinks at home.

We asked Horiuchi about his recommended way to eat "Surfing Lemon."

"The easiest thing to make is homemade lemon syrup. To make it, simply slice lemons and place them alternately in a jar with sugar. Leave it for a few days and then enjoy it mixed with cider or hot water. Surfing Lemon does not use any mold inhibitors or wax. Another great thing is that you can use the peel as well."

Furthermore, processed products using "Naminori Lemon" have also appeared as a new specialty of Makinohara.

"Lemon Green Tea," a collaboration with the brand tea "Nozomi," is an exquisite match of refreshing acidity and the flavor of the tea. "Shizuoka Lemon Tea," made with tea leaves grown in the city, has a stylish package that will lift your spirits just by picking it up.

Both can be purchased at places like Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport in Makinohara City. They make the perfect souvenir for your trip or a special tea time treat.

"Surfing Lemon" is a local lemon packed with the passion and freshness of farmers. Why not try this fresh happiness like riding a wave in Makinohara?