Sakamoto Rice Terraces

One of Japan's 100 prettiest rice paddies

Por Mandy Bartok

Community writer

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A view of the Sakamoto rice terraces from the viewing platform

You can wander freely amidst the terraces on the paved or dirt paths

It's an impressive sight to see the newly planted rice in perfect rows

Local farmers can often be found working in their individual paddies

The area is lovely in summer but would also be attractive with the red spider lilies of autumn or a dusting of snow in winter

The terraces are reached via a winding lane, but a bus actually makes the journey and drops off right at the bottom of the fields

A small sign just before Miyazaki's Sakatani Roadside Station is all that indicates the existence of one of Japan's 100 best rice terraces. Follow the narrow lane up into the hills and you'll come across the Sakamoto Rice Terraces. Dirt paths and paved lanes run between the paddies and visitors are welcome to explore the area, so long as they stick to the marked walkways. The area is beautiful in any season but all visitors should head for the outlook on the opposite side of the hill for a global view of the terraces.