An aerial photo of Ohaganishi-no-Tanada rice terrace from a drone at sunset. The water was reflecting the color of the sky. (in Misaki Town, Okayama Prefecture)
An aerial photo of the tanada rice terrace from a drone in the daytime. It’s located in the mountain area approximately 30 kilometers away from the center of Okayama City.
Ohaganishi-no-Tanada in Misaki Town, Okayama Prefecture, is one of the four rice terraces in Okayama Prefecture that were selected for inclusion in the top 100 most beautiful tanada (rice terraces) in Japan. The terraced rice field is now offering a wonderful view with water filled up to prepare for a new crop and reflections of the sun on the water that constantly change as time passes.
Ohaganishi-no-Tanada is the mortar-shaped rice field in the mountain area with approximately 850 pieces in 85 meters. The edges of the rice terraces are as beautiful as contour lines, and when the sun is setting, the water shines, reflecting colors of the sunset. A viewing point at altitudes of approximately 400 meters is always crowded with tourists who come to enjoy the sunset view.
The rice paddy of approximately 42 hectors is the fourth largest tanada among Japan’s top 100 terraced rice paddies. Rice planting here starts in late April and ends in mid-June. Approximately 30 rice farmers grow mainly Koshihikari and Kinuhikari varieties of rice.
The beautiful landscape was selected as one of Japan’s top 100 tanada (rice terraces) in 1999. Since then, local farmers have been trying to vitalize the region by making use of this scenic beauty. In 2003, a council to maintain the stepped paddy was launched and the first “Tanada Kinchai Matsuri (Come-and-Visit-Rice- Terraces Festival)” was held in June. In 2015, a local farmer’s restaurant opened and thanks to all these efforts, it now is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Misaki Town.