Terraced rice fields are rice paddies built on mountainous or sloping regions, characterized by their tiered design. These terraced fields are a symbol of Japan’s rural farming culture and offer a scenery that Japan can proudly showcase to the world.
Whether it’s the rice planting season of spring, the lush green of summer, or the golden hues of autumn, each season offers a different view for you to enjoy, making every visit charming in its own way.
In this article, we introduce 10 must-see terraced rice field spots in Japan. We hope you visit these traditional Japanese landscapes, experience the harmony between nature and humanity, and create unforgettable memories.
Shikamura | Yamagata
The Shikamura terraced rice fields , located in Ōkura Village, Yamagata Prefecture, boast the largest scale in the Tohoku region, offering a magnificent scenery. Covering a vast area of approximately 120 hectares, it is home to around 1,900 terraced rice paddies.
Shikamura is especially popular for its winter scenery, where the view of large, snow-covered steps, unique to this heavy snowfall region, is truly mesmerizing. Every August, the “Hotaru-bi” (Firefly Light) concert is held, where you can enjoy an enchanting night scene crafted by the glow of 1,200 firefly lights accompanied by the sounds of piano and ocarina.
Yokoze Town, Terasaka | Saitama
The Terasaka rice terraced fields, located in Yokoze Town, Chichibu District, Saitama Prefecture, have a long history dating back to the Jomon period. Covering an area of approximately 5.2 hectares, the fields consist of around 250 paddies of various sizes.
One of the highlights is the reflection of Mount Bukō on the water-filled paddies, making it a popular spot for photography enthusiasts. Every July, the “Terasaka Firefly Torch Festival” is held, where more than 600 torches illuminate the night fields, creating a magical atmosphere.
With an easily accessible location just a 15-minute walk from Seibu Railway’s Yokoze Station, it can be visited even during breaks in a trip to Tokyo.
Oyama Senmaida | Chiba
At Oyama Senmaida, a representative site of the Boso Peninsula, 375 rice paddies are arranged in steps across steep slopes, covering an area of about 3.2 hectares. It is Japan’s only rain-fed rice terrace, relying solely on rainwater for cultivation, making it famous as an environmentally friendly terraced rice field.
From late October to early January, the “Tanada no Akari” event is held, lighting up the fields with 10,000 LED lights. The blend of the terraced fields and the illuminations offers an unparalleled experience unlike any other.
Hoshitoge | Niigata
The Hoshitōge terraced rice fields, located in Tōkamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, are a breathtaking sight, with around 200 paddies of various sizes beautifully arranged across the landscape. In the early mornings, a sea of clouds often forms, and if you’re lucky, you can witness this magical view. Due to heavy snowfall, the fields are not accessible from December to April, so plan your visit during other seasons.
Obasute | Nagano
The Obasute terraced rice fields, located in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture, are situated on slopes at an altitude of 460 to 560 meters, offering a sweeping view of the Zenkoji Plain. The nighttime scenery is its greatest charm due to the phenomenon known as “Tagoto no Tsuki” (Moon on Each Rice Field), where the full moon reflects on the water-filled paddies, creating a magical landscape that has been celebrated in poetry and paintings since ancient times.
When visiting Obasute, time your trip around the full moon to experience the enchanting “Tagoto no Tsuki”.
Maruyama Senmaida | Mie
Maruyama Senmaida terraced rice fields, located in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, is one of Japan’s largest terraced rice fields, with 1,340 small paddies stacked on each other. The vast terraced landscape, combined with the beautiful scenery of the Kii Mountain Range, creates a breathtaking scene, often regarded as the most beautiful terraced rice field in Japan.
In June, the “Mushi Okuri” event is held, where about 1,300 candles are lit, creating a magical contrast between the illuminated terraces and the night sky.
At Maruyama Senmaida, a popular “Owner System” is held annually, attracting over 100 applicants each year. Participants in this program can engage in traditional farming activities such as hand-planting rice and harvesting using age-old methods. This offers a hands-on experience of Japan’s rich agricultural heritage and a deeper appreciation for rural traditions.
Another seasonal highlight of this area is the “Kumanozakura” soft pink cherry blossoms, which bloom from mid-March to early April. This unique natural spectacle allows visitors to experience the arrival of spring in a breathtaking rural landscape.
Oidani | Shimane
Ōidani terraced rice fields, located in Yoshika Town, Kanoashi District, Shimane Prefecture, is a historical terraced rice field. It is said to have been built approximately 600 years ago, from the late Muromachi period to the Edo period, and its historical value is highly regarded.
From the observation deck, you can take in a panoramic view of the expansive terraced fields, which are so vast they cannot fit entirely into a single photograph. In the winter, a lighting event with 2,800 LED lights is held, allowing you to enjoy illuminations in the crisp, clear air.
Yōne | Kōchi
Yōne terraced rice fields, located in Ōtoyo Town, Kōchi Prefecture, is home to historical terraced rice fields that date back to the Edo period. Situated at an altitude of around 500 meters, these terraces are built with steep stone walls that extend down towards the valley, creating an impressive sight.
The most distinctive feature of Yōne’s terraced fields is the small shrine that sits in the middle of the uppermost paddy. Inside the shrine, the deity Hachiman-sama is enshrined, leaving a deep impression on visitors with its precious and unique fusion between Japan’s agricultural landscape and religious culture.
Tsuzura Tanada | Fukuoka
Tsuzura Tanada, located in Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is a beautiful terraced rice field with a history of about 400 years. The changing scenery across the seasons is one of its main attractions, particularly the striking contrast between the radiant golden rice stalks and the bright red spider lilies in autumn that captivates many visitors.
Every September, the “Higanbana Meguri & Basara Festival” is held, bringing in large crowds of tourists. This festival also features local dishes such as salt-grilled yamame trout and game meat for you to enjoy, so be sure to take the opportunity to visit.
Onigi Tanada | Nagasaki
Onigi Tanada, located in Hasami Town, Higashisonogi District, Nagasaki Prefecture, is a historical terraced rice field that dates back to the mid-Edo period. The terraced rice fields, built with stone ridges, cascade down the horseshoe-shaped slopes of the base of the Kokūzō Volcano, creating a popular and inviting sight.
Nearby, at the Onigi Processing Center, you can purchase rice grown in the terraces as well as locally made miso. This offers a valuable opportunity to experience Japan’s food culture through the region’s specialty products.
Summary
In this article, we introduced 10 prominent terraced rice field spots across Japan that you should visit during your trip:
- Shikamura, Yamagata Prefecture: Offers breathtaking winter scenery, unique to heavy snowfall areas.
- Terasaka, Yokose Town, Saitama Prefecture: Easily accessible during breaks in a trip to Tokyo.
- Oyama Senmaida, Chiba Prefecture: Famous for its winter illuminations.
- Hoshitōge, Niigata Prefecture: A magical collaboration between the sea of clouds and terraced fields.
- Obasute, Nagano Prefecture: Enchanting sight of the moon reflecting on the terraced fields.
- Maruyama Senmaida, Mie Prefecture: Terraces gorgeously lit by candles at night..
- Ōidani, Shimane Prefecture: Panoramic view of the terraced fields from the observation deck is truly majestic.
- Yōne, Kōchi Prefecture: Experience the fusion of agriculture and religion.
- Tsuzura Tanada, Fukuoka Prefecture: Famous for the contrast of radiant golden rice stalks and red spider lilies.
- Onigi Tanada, Nagasaki Prefecture: Discover Japan’s food culture through local specialties.
Each of these terraced rice fields has its own unique charm, whether it’s the beautiful seasonal landscapes, distinctive terrain, or local traditional events. Visiting these terraced fields will allow you to immerse yourself in Japan’s traditional landscapes and fully experience its rural life and food culture. We hope you get to experience the beauty and depth of Japanese culture by visiting the terraced rice fields introduced here, making your trip to Japan a truly special memory.
