Regenerative Experience
From now on, I will embark on a journey that enriches both myself and nature
Regenerative Experience
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of rice terraces where people and nature coexist in harmony.
Yamato Town in Kumamoto Prefecture is located in the center of Kyushu and is a beautiful area surrounded by mountains.
The Tsujun Bridge, a national treasure, has been treasured by local people for over 100 years as an important bridge that still supplies water to the rice terraces. We have scenery and culture that we want to preserve for the next 100 years. The beautiful rice terraces and satoyama that change with the seasons, the traditional culture and the lives of the local people. We believe that all of these things have beauty and are worthy of being passed down.
Your time here may have a new impact on your values.
Tsujun Bridge: Nourishing people and the land
This stone arch aqueduct, built in 1854 by Yabevillage headman Yasunosuke Nuda to supply water to the Shiraito Plateau, which was suffering from a water shortage, is one of the largest in modern times and the only stone arch bridge that can "release water." The total length of the aqueduct is about 119.0m, the length of the bridge is about 78.0m, the width is 6.6m, the height is about 21.3m, and the radius of the arch is about 28.1m. It draws water from the upstream of the Sasahara River, about 6km away, and the total length of the aqueduct is about 30km, with an irrigation area of about 100ha. It supplies 15,000 cubic meters of water a day, and has the power to irrigate rice fields, and still irrigates the rice terraces of the Shiraito Plateau today. It was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 1960, and will be recognized as a National Treasure in 2023.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of terraced rice fields spreading across the plateau
Rice terraces are an important symbol of Japanese culture. They play an essential role in the local community not only as a place for rice cultivation, but also as a means of flood control, water purification, and as an ecosystem that is home to a diverse range of living creatures.
Yamato Town in Kumamoto Prefecture is known as a spot for rice terraces, and the beautiful rice terraces spread across the area and attract many visitors. The rice terraces on the plateau, which benefit from the Tsujun Bridge, can be said to be a symbol of the efforts of our ancestors.
There are things you can only see by walking with a local guide.
Satoyama is a place where nature, plants and animals, and people's lives intersect. A local guide will teach you about the symbiosis with nature that comes from living in the area. During the tour, you will have a chance to observe wild boar and deer footprints and a variety of plants. Also, pay attention to the unique ecosystem and the activities of the people involved in it. You may even have the opportunity to talk to local people who work in the fields.
The fascinating landscapes of rice terraces and satoyama have been created and protected by the hands of local people. However, maintaining them requires a huge amount of ongoing effort, and with the aging of the population in satoyama communities, sustainability is facing difficult times.
The changing seasonal scenery - when the rice terraces are filled with water and "water mirrors" form, when the scenery is lush and green, and when the rice stalks shine golden - attracts many visitors, but in reality there are mixed emotions among the villagers and the people who cultivate the rice terraces.
It is my hope that this tour will give you some insight into the various challenges you face and encourage you to think about them.
*The participation fee for this tour includes a donation to help protect the Satoyama landscape, including the rice terraces that we will visit.
Rice terrace trekking
Choose from three plans to enjoy
02
Walk through the Mine Rice Terraces to reach the terraced rice terraces where you can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the seasons.
03
Travel like a local with farm stays and rice terrace trekking
(2 days, 1 night)
