Kakui Island, Island destination in Bizen, Japan
Kakui Island is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea, part of the Hinase Islands group in Okayama Prefecture, lying close to Kashira Island and Ko Island. Much of the land is given over to mikan mandarin orange orchards, which cover the hillsides in rows of low trees.
Kakui Island took shape over many decades as citrus farming gradually became the main activity on the land. That agricultural focus never shifted, and the orchards visible today reflect a long continuity of the same practice.
The mandarin groves on Kakui are not just an attraction but a working orchard that visitors can step into during harvest season. Picking fruit straight from the trees is the main way people engage with the island, continuing a tradition that locals have kept for generations.
The island is reached by boat from Hinase Port, which is within walking distance of JR Hinase Station. Coming between October and December gives you the best chance of seeing the orchards in full harvest.
The mikan grown here are cultivated using organic fertilizers, which gives the fruit a flavor that differs noticeably from what is grown by conventional methods. Most visitors enjoy the fruit without knowing that this natural approach to farming is what drives the difference.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
