Ai Kobo was founded in Tachima, Yoshida-cho, Uwajima City, a citrus village with a long history of mandarin oranges.

Ai Kobo is a company that took over the processing department from the former Uwa Fruit and Vegetable Agricultural Cooperative, which had a history of over 90 years, and started out as Japan’s first business model of privatizing a former agricultural cooperative.

The southwestern part of Ehime Prefecture is also called the Orange Belt, centered on the coastal areas of Yawatahama City and Uwajima City. The area has a warm climate, a rugged terrain, and is sunlit. Mandarin oranges grow on sloping land with moderate rainfall, and are grown in the sea breeze from the Uwa Sea. Citrus cultivation is active throughout the year.
The “Akabako Mandarin Oranges,” which are highly acclaimed for their good taste, are produced here.
During the mandarin orange flower season, the mountains are white and the sweet scent of citrus fills the air. In autumn, the harvest season, the mountains are ablaze with orange leaves, making it the most lively season.