Terraced rice paddies in Japan
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Sightseeing

Also

Culture

Message from Tony Xia

Maruyama Senmaida, or "One Thousand Rice Paddies," is a historic terraced rice field in Mie Prefecture. The paddies vary in size and shape but are generally small, making them unsuitable for modern machinery. Planting and harvesting are still done manually, preserving traditional farming methods. These 1,300 terraces, created over 400 years ago, showcase the ingenuity of ancient Japanese agriculture.

The landscape changes with the seasons: lush green fields in summer, golden hues in autumn, and reflective water-filled paddies in spring. For a unique experience, visit in mid-May during the annual Rice Planting Festival or in July when the vibrant green stalks sway in the breeze. Another highlight is the reflective beauty of the fields just before planting season, when they are filled with water.

Anyone can also adopt a rice paddy for a year with a 30,000 yen donation (JP Portal Only), which includes the opportunity to participate in planting in May and harvesting in September, connecting directly with this traditional way of life.

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