Maruyama Senmaida

Maruyama Senmaida (丸山千枚田) is one of Japan’s most picturesque terraced rice fields, located in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture. The name “Senmaida” translates to “a thousand rice paddies,” and this area indeed boasts over 1,300 small, carefully maintained rice paddies carved into the hillside.

Maruyama Senmaida is believed to be date back to the 1600’s. The terraces are built into the steep slopes of the Maruyama mountains, creating an impressive visual spectacle, especially when viewed from above.

The construction was a laborious effort, as the terraces are made out of stone and mud. Originally, there were well over 2,000 paddies, but erosion and time wore them down, and it became increasingly difficult to maintain.

Maruyama Senmaida is one of the few hillside terraced rice paddies remaining in Japan, due to the method of rice farming becoming obsolete with advancements in farming technology. Many rice paddies today are mostly found in flat fields rather than the hillside. However Maruyama Senmaida still maintains a this style of rice terraces, and they certainly are beautiful, especially when the locals host an illumination festival.

Due to the remote nature of the Maruyama Senmaida rice terraces, it is often overlooked by most tourists. For those who can manage to make it out, they are rewarded by this stunning slice of Japan’s rice history. It is best enjoyed in spring as the rice terraces are filled with water and rice is planted, which creates spectacular reflections and views.