Maruyama Senmaida, Mie Prefecture‼︎ The most beautiful terraced rice fields in Japan where the original scenery remains‼︎

Maruyama Senmaida is a valuable presence that conveys Japan’s original landscape to this day.
Once upon a time, the number of rice terraces decreased significantly due to depopulation and aging.
However, the Maruyama Senmaida was successfully restored due to the passionate desire of local residents to preserve Japanese agricultural culture for future generations.
Currently, there are about 1,340 rice fields, and they have been revived as terraced rice fields, with more than 100 owners registering each year from not only the local area but also from all over the country.
This time, we will introduce in detail Maruyama Senmaida, Mie Prefecture, Japan’s most beautiful rice terrace with its original scenery.

①About Japan’s largest rice terrace “Maruyama Senmaida”

Maruyama Senmaida is a rice terrace located in the southern part of Mie Prefecture.
Rice terraces are rice paddies built in steps like steps on the slopes of mountains.
The smallest paddy field is about 0.5 m2, and many small paddy fields with an average size of about 10 tsubo are built in layers.
There are approximately 100 terraced rice fields with a height difference of 160 m at an altitude of 90 to 250 m.

▲Spectacular views from the Maruyama Senmaida viewing spot! ! You can take photos from along the road.

▲There is a parking lot, restrooms, and vending machines in the middle of the rice terraces, so you can take your time and enjoy the view of the rice terraces.

▲A large rock with a strong presence in the middle of rice terraces! !

▲With the mountains in the background and the beautiful terraced rice fields, you can truly enjoy the original scenery of Japan.

➂History of how Maruyama Senmaida was created.

Maruyama Senmaida is said to have been created around 900 years ago, at the end of the Heian period.
The people who first cultivated Maruyama Senmaida were Yorikane Fujiwara, a member of the Fujiwara family, and his 13 main retainers and their families.
Fujiwara Yorikane considers the highest mountain to be his family’s mountain.
He then distributed it to his family and servants and encouraged them to cultivate the land.

④Changes in the number of rice fields in Maruyama Senmaida.

1.Around 1128, the development of Maruyama Senmaida began.
2. The Taiko land survey was conducted in 1601, and the number of rice terraces was 2,240.
3. Even in the early Edo period, there were 2,240 rice terraces.
4. 2483 pieces in 1898 (the period with the highest number)
5. After the 1960s, the number decreased to 530.
6. Approximately 530 continued until the early Heisei era.
7. In 1993, the Maruyama Senmaida Preservation  Society was established.
8. In 1994, the number was restored to 550.
9. In 1995, it increased to 840 pieces.
10. Increased to 1050 pieces in 1996.
11. Increased to 1340 pieces in 1997.
12. Currently, 1340 images have been restored.

⑤Access information to Maruyama Senmaida.

The address of Maruyama Senmaida is Kumano City, Mie Prefecture.

❶For those coming by car from the Osaka area.

Nishi-Meihan Expressway ⇒ Seki JCT ⇒ Ise Expressway ⇒ Seiwataki JCT ⇒ Kisei Expressway Ohdomari IC ⇒ To National Route 42

❷For those coming by car from the Nagoya area.

Higashi-Meihan Expressway ⇒ Ise Expressway ⇒ Sewataki JCT ⇒ Kisei Expressway Kii-Nagashima IC ⇒ To National Route 42

❸About National Route 42 and beyond

National Route 42 ⇒ National Route 311 ⇒ Fuden Tunnel Exit ⇒ Turn right ⇒ Prefectural Route 40 ⇒ Kitayama bound car (It takes about 10 minutes to get there from National Route 42.)

⑦What is the ownership system of Maruyama Senmaida?？

The Maruyama Senmaida ownership system is a supporter landowner system for Maruyama Senmaida provided by the Kumano City Furusato Promotion Corporation.
The target audience is people living in urban areas.
The purpose is to work together with local people to protect Maruyama Senmaida.
Currently, approximately 1.6 ha of the 7.2 ha of Maruyama Senmaida is utilized for the ownership system.
Every year, more than 100 owners visit the local area to work at Maruyama Senmaida and participate in events.

⑧Owner system overview.

The outline of the owner system is as follows.
・Annual membership fee: 30‚000 yen
・Agricultural work you can experience: rice planting, rice harvesting, etc.
・Bonus: 10kg of new rice from Maruyama Senmaida, local specialties, etc.

Summary

This time, we introduced Maruyama Senmaida in Mie Prefecture, one of Japan’s most beautiful rice terraces with its original scenery.
Maruyama Senmaida in Mie Prefecture is a terraced rice field that was once an abandoned farmland.
However, the passionate desire of many people, mainly local people, to preserve ″Japan’s most beautiful terraced rice fields with their original scenery” succeeded in reviving Maruyama Senmaida.
Maruyama Senmaida in Mie Prefecture is a spot where you can immerse yourself in the original scenery of Japan. When you visit Mie Prefecture, we highly recommend that you stop by Maruyama Senmaida.

▲Maruyama Senmaida

Watch this place in the video! !