The modern city of Etajima was established on November 1, 2004, from the merger of the town of Etajima (from Aki District) absorbing three towns from Saeki District: Nōmi, Ōgaki, and Okimi.

It is held every year in October, at the beginning of the orange season.

Each participant is rewarded for their efforts with a bag of locally grown oranges.

The 23rd Annual Orange Marathon in 2008 had over 2000 participants for 1K, 3K, 5K, and 10K runs, and a half-marathon.

On March 14, 2013, a man went on a stabbing rampage in Etajima, killing two co-workers and wounding six others.