The Tangerine Village

On the way to Motobu Town from Nago City, there is a small hamlet where groups of tangerine trees are scattered about. Welcome to Izumi, known as the tangerine hamlet. It is one of the sightseeing spots on okinawa during the fall season. Many people families, groups of young people, students on field trips visit the hamlet and enjoy picking the ripe fruit.

There are about fifty farmers who have picking orchards. They have organized an association of producers that open their orchards to the public during the harvest season from October to December. Visitors pay an admission fee which enables them to pick as many tangerines as they can. The picked fruit are then sold to these weekend farmers at wholesale prices.

Some of the species of tangerines in Izumi grow only on okinawa. They may not always be good to look at, but they have a tart, sweet taste. The kabuchi and unshu types ripen in October, the oto in November, and the tankan is available in December.

Izumi is also known as the first place where pineapples were planted on okinawa. Visitors can see these short plants on the slopes of the hills surrounding Izumi.

Mr. Morimasa Inoha also works in the hamlet. He makes indigo dye, which is important in the production of traditional Ryukyu woven goods. He is now the only craftsman who has maintained the techniques of making the dye, and is recognized by the national government as a master technician.

There is a splendid natural stone garden in Izumi that has been well kept by the Tokeji family. The garden is laid out in an arrangement of coral stones and tropical plants covering 3,300 square meters.

Izumi hamlet is a place one can visit to see the quiet, wonderful atmosphere of the northern okinawa lifestyle.