Just off the coast of Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture, the small island of Hatsushima is gaining attention as Japan's "lemon island." With bright yellow photo spots scattered across the island against a backdrop of blue sky and sea, it offers visitors a way to discover a lesser-known chapter of Japan's citrus history.
Atami is widely considered the birthplace of lemon cultivation in Japan. One popular story traces the fruit's introduction back to 1873, when a foreign visitor traveled to Atami for its therapeutic hot springs. According to the tale, he planted lemon seeds from a meal in his garden, marking the beginning of lemon growing in the region.
Today, that legacy is celebrated on Hatsushima. At PICA Hatsushima, an outdoor resort complex offering accommodation, glamping facilities, and nature-based activities, visitors can see a rare lemon tree believed to be more than 60 years old. Originally planted at a villa in Atami shortly after World War II, the tree was later donated by its owner and transplanted to PICA Hatsushima in November 2023, creating a living link to the area's lemon-growing heritage.
To mark the tree's relocation and highlight Atami's citrus history, a series of vivid lemon-themed photo spots have appeared across the island. Around 300 meters from Hatsushima Port, visitors can snap a picture at the "I caught a lemon!" installation near the PICA Hatsushima sign. Over at Asian Garden R-Asia, bright displays such as the "Lemon!" installation add to the island's colorful atmosphere.
Other attractions include the "Big Lemon Meteorite," the "Sky, Sea and Swing," and the "Lemon Gate Leading to the Sky," each designed to pop vividly against the coastal scenery. A retro yellow postbox and a Hatsushima Station sign add further charm, created in collaboration with students from Shizuoka Prefectural Atami High School as part of a project promoting Atami as Japan's birthplace of lemon cultivation.
