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Terraced Rice Fields of Four Villages

Original Japanese landscape to be passed on to generations.

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Ohkura Village is the collective name of four villages (Toyomaki, Takinosawa, Numanodai and Hirabayashi). Their rice paddies are famous for the largest scale in Tohoku Region, 120 hectares in all, which is selected into one of 100 most beautiful terraced rice fields in Japan.

The fields are filled with water in spring, the green rice stalks grow under the summer sun, and fall brings golden ears of rice. Okura Village is one of the most snowy areas in Japan. Terraced rice fields will be all silvery in winter. Each season brings its own beauty here.

On the 1st Saturday of August, there is an annual event, Four Village Terraced Rice Field Firefly Concert. Nearly 1,200 “fireflies” are lit on the terraced fields and a concert is held in the dreamy landscape.

About a 15-minute drive from the four villages, Hijiori Onsen resort is still keeping its 1,200-year history. The name came from an elderly monk (Jizo Gongen) who was suffering from a broken elbow and got healed immediately when he soaked in the hot spring here. The morning market is famous where local vegetables are spread under the inns’ eaves. The local women and tourists’ conversations sound like heart-warming background music there.

Highlights

  • Enjoy different scenery of rice terraces in different seasons.
  • Silvery landscape in winter.
  • Hijiori Onsen resort is a prominent therapeutic hot spring in Japan.

Photos

  • Terraced rice fields full of life force

    Terraced rice fields full of life force

  • The fields are filled with water during the planting season

    The fields are filled with water during the planting season

  • Terraced rice fields lit with ”fireflies”

    Terraced rice fields lit with ”fireflies”

  • The hot spring resort bright in fall foliage

    The hot spring resort bright in fall foliage

  • Hijiori Morning Market with local products

    Hijiori Morning Market with local products

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Details

Name in Japanese
四ヶ村の棚田
Postal Code
996-0301
Address
Minamiyama, Okuramura, Mogamigun, Yamagata
Telephone
0233-75-2111 (Ohkura Village Office)
Hours
Free visit
Directions
1) From JR Shinjo Station, drive 45 min.
2) From Tohoku Chuo Expressway, Funagata Interchange, drive 30 min.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)