A Journey of Discovery for Todolí Citrus Fundació
The fascination of Vicente Todolí, founder and president of Todolí Citrus Fundació, with Japanese culture is well known. Over the last decade, he has visited Japan at least once a year, combining his work as an art curator with his passion for Japanese arts and gastronomy.
These trips have allowed him to explore the country’s rich citrus-growing tradition in depth. Japan is a global benchmark in the treatment and respect for citrus fruits, which has helped preserve many ancient varieties despite the pressures of the global market. The combination of a favorable climate and a deep appreciation for quality has made Japan an agricultural paradise, where citrus fruits are cultivated with great care and their diversity and preservation are promoted as an essential part of Japanese culture.
Exploration in the Prefectures of Ehime and Kochi, in the Shikoku Region
Vicente Todolí’s most recent trip to Japan took place in April and focused on two of the country’s most important citrus-growing areas: the prefectures of Ehime and Kochi, in the south of the country, along the Seto Inland Sea.
Accompanied by his friends Rosario Nadal, art advisor, and Amanda Sharp, co-founder of the Frieze art fair and co-owner of the Toklas restaurant in London, Vicente visited several destinations in the region, known for its mild winters and fertile alluvial lands, ideal for growing a wide variety of fruits — especially citrus.
One of the most remarkable stops was the visit to Megumu Kodama’s farm in Uwajima. Mr. Kodama, president of the Blood Orange Producers Committee, has promoted local production of this Sicilian-origin variety, overcoming initial prejudices due to its unusual appearance. Today, more than 300 farmers grow blood oranges, compared to just six twenty years ago.
The Tosa Buntan Pummelo and the Shiraki Orchard Tradition
From Uwajima, the group traveled to Tosa, a town famous for its production of Tosa Buntan Pummelo, a variety unique to Japan. Along the Shimanto River, considered the cleanest in the country, local growers encourage each other to refine their cultivation techniques, always striving for the highest quality.
In Tosa, Todolí and his companions visited Shiraki Orchard, owned by Mr. Shiraki, a family-run estate with over 100 years of history. Today, this farm is one of the main producers and distributors of Tosa Buntan Pummelo in Japan and also houses a collection of over 100 citrus varieties, with a special focus on pummelos.
New Japanese Varieties for the Todolí Citrus Fundació Collection
This journey has provided valuable insights that will enrich the work of Todolí Citrus Fundació — not only in agricultural practices but also in expanding the collection with new Japanese citrus varieties.
As a result of research carried out over numerous trips to different citrus-growing areas of Japan, six traditional Japanese varieties will soon be incorporated: Hyuganatsu and Ogonkan oranges, Anseikan pummelo, the acidic Hebesu mandarin, Amanatsu, and Jabara. These additions have been made possible thanks to collaboration with IVIA (Valencian Institute of Agricultural Research).
With these incorporations, the Foundation strengthens its commitment to citrus preservation and biodiversity, granting Japanese varieties a prominent role.
Acknowledgements for the Organization of the Trip
This journey was made possible thanks to the meticulous planning and selection of destinations by Mr. Junichi Nishida, owner of Nishida Orchard, who generously shared his invaluable guidance and knowledge throughout the trip. Special thanks also go to Yuri Tada, who, from London, coordinated and supported the group every step of the way, ensuring the experience was enriching for all.
