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Shinshiro-City Thousand Rice Paddies of Yotsuya
Humans and nature coexisting in a fairy tale come to life
Mt. Kurakake in Aichi Prefecture's eastern Shinshiro City is home to the Yotsuya mountain village and its terraced rice paddies carved out of the slope some 400 years ago. Rocks were carried up an elevation of 220 to 420 meters above sea level to create the walls of the paddy terraces which are currently cultivated by 20 farmers. At present, approximately 420 fields are farmed, but 1,296 were once in full use. While the rice paddies are not used to the degree they once were, locals have pulled together with a mission to not let this incredible heritage created by the blood, sweat, and tears of their ancestors go to waste.
A natural spring of water at the mountain's midsection gushes out clear H2O which creates a see-through water base for the rice plants to grow in. Even after heavy rain, the water remains transparent and serene.
These terraced paddies weave a beautiful tapestry of water and greenery in which a variety of wildlife makes a home and illustrate a scene you might find right out of a Japanese fairytale. The spot truly epitomizes the miraculous beauty that can be achieved when mankind and nature work together.
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