` MaruyamaSenmaida'' is a spectacular view that retains the original scenery of Japan. Why not go out with your camera?

MaruyamaSenmaida (Maruyama Senmaida) is located on the southwest slope of Mt. Shirakura in the Maruyama district KumanoCity.
It is located in such a remote area that you may wonder, ``Why are there such magnificent terraced rice fields deep in the mountains?'' It is said that in the past, fallen samurai warriors ran away and hid, and gradually began to cultivate the land. .

Therefore, although it is a man-made object, you can enjoy the original Japanese landscape in harmony with the surrounding nature in various seasons and times.

Records show that about 400 years ago, there were 2,240 fields in MaruyamaSenmaida. The slope is a stone masonry mainly made of nozurazumi, which is often seen in western Japan.
It is an amazing sight when you consider that it was all piled up by human hands.

In the early Heisei era, due to a lack of successors, the number MaruyamaSenmaida Preservation Society and decided that this valuable cultural heritage should not be lost. We are conducting conservation activities.

There is also a `` MaruyamaSenmaida Owner System'' that uses restored rice fields.
As an owner, you can participate in events such as traditional rice planting and harvesting by hand. Additionally, even if you are unable to attend the event, you can still send us the rice you harvested after harvesting.
Why not become an owner to protect this wonderful landscape?

For more information on the owner system, please contact KumanoCity Furusato Promotion Corporation.​

Now, we will introduce you to the seasonal beauty of MaruyamaSenmaida has been selected as one of Japan's top 100 terraced rice fields, while playing with the Pillow Book!

Rice planting occurs from mid-April to late May. Rice fields that are too small to accommodate machines are still planted by hand. Since there are 1,340 rice paddies, it takes a considerable amount of time and effort to finish planting rice in all the rice fields.

At this time of year, you can also observe various insects such as tadpoles, snails, dragonflies, and newts in the water-filled rice fields.

(Photo: © KumanoCity Tourism Association)

Summer is in the sun. A carpet of lush rice ears sways in the breeze. A dark night is a dark night, and it's still wonderful.

In the summer, the ears of rice gradually grow, transforming the terraced rice fields, which were like mirrors of water, into a completely different appearance, allowing you to enjoy the nostalgic scenery of a rural village.

There are almost no artificial lights, and on nights with a new moon, you can even see the Milky Way in a starry sky.
It's really dark, so be careful where you step.

You can also enjoy nature unique to this time of year, such as seasonal flowers such as hydrangeas and fireflies, which are rare these days.

Senmaida's big event "Mushi Okuri".

It began in the days when there were no pesticides, and people would receive amulets from temples and parade through the Senmaida rice fields with torches, drums, and bells to drive away pests with fire and sound. It was discontinued for a while, but it was revived after Kumano Kodo was registered as a World Heritage Site. Many people come from all over the country on this day.

Along with 1,340 lights, the lights of a procession of insects holding torches and lanterns float in the dark night, and the fantastic sight will take your breath away.
*The 2023 “Mushi Okuri” has not yet been determined. Please check KumanoCity 's official website for details.

(Photo: © KumanoCity Tourism Association)

Autumn is dawn. The morning sun shines through the richly ripened rice ears, creating a spectacular view of the rice terraces shining golden yellow.

Also, if you are lucky, you can see the mystical scenery of rice terraces and a sea of clouds from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. on a cold day after the rain after mid-October, when the weather gets colder.
There are people who stay for several nights trying to take photos of this rare phenomenon called ``Fuden Oroshi,'' where a sea of clouds overflows from the mountains of rice terraces.

Take care of yourself in winter. The sight of them quietly waiting for spring under the freezing sky in the middle of winter is also very atmospheric.

Although it is rare, you may be able to see pure white rice terraces covered with snow.

In December, there will be a Kumano Kodo Trail Running Race, which will take place one after another, including Kumano Kodo, MaruyamaSenmaida, Akagi Castle ruins, the Doro-kyoGorge of clouds at Tsuenomine, and Nunobiki Falls. There is a marathon event where you can run while enjoying the spectacular scenery that appears, and there are many people who participate while enjoying taking pictures with their cameras in hand.

*Please check the official website to see if the event will be held.

In February, the rice fields are ridged, so you can clearly see the outline of each rice field, and you can take photos of the rice terraces that everyone remembers.

MaruyamaSenmaida where you can enjoy a variety of scenery like this. Are you starting to want to go there soon?
It's quite difficult to access, so here's how to get there.

The expressway has been connected and the time has been shortened considerably. Approximately 3 hours from Nagoya via Higashi-Meihan Expressway, Ise Expressway, and Kise Expressway.
Get off at the Owasekita IC, the last stop on the Kisei Expressway, turn right at Kuranotani (intersection) onto National Route 42, turn right at the Owase Minami IC entrance (intersection) and enter Kumano-Owase Road until the end. move on.

(Photo:KumanoCity Furusato Promotion Corporation)

Turn left at the Kumano Odomari IC at the end of the Kumano-Owase Road and continue along National Route 42, where you will find a place that has been designated as one of Japan's 100 Scenic Spots, a national scenic spot, a natural monument, and a World Heritage Site. You will see a signboard for the registered kachiji `` Onigajo''.

This is also a photogenic spot with a spectacular view, so why not take a detour along the way?

About 10 minutes by car from Onigajo on National Route 42, you will see a Taiwanese restaurant with a yellow sign and Cosmo Oil on your right.

From there, turn right at the second traffic light (Tateishi Minami intersection) and enter National Route 311.

Continue along National Route 311, surrounded by trees, towards Kiwa.

After running for a while, a scarecrow greets you.

After passing through several tunnels and spotting a signboard for the hometown of Kishu dogs on my right, I continued on for about 15 minutes, wondering if it was still there.

After passing through the Fuden tunnel, I found a signboard for MaruyamaSenmaida. Turn right onto Prefectural Route 40.
From here, you can head to the top of MaruyamaSenmaida.
It's okay if you happen to pass by. There is still a road ahead that climbs up from the bottom of MaruyamaSenmaida.

After climbing the mountain road for a while, you will see a sign for MaruyamaSenmaida and a parking space for 2 to 3 cars around a curve.
You might feel like passing by for a moment, but there are often cars stopped, so I think you'll be fine as long as you drive slowly.

From here you can see the entire rice terrace.

2-3 more minutes of running.
There is an information board on the left. If you go a little further from here, you can descend into the rice terraces.

There is also a signpost for MaruyamaSenmaida on the right.

(Photo: KumanoCity Furusato Promotion Corporation)

Arbor on the way down. This is one of the photo spots.

There are also parking spaces for 3 to 4 cars.

An arbor located halfway up the terraced rice fields. There are also clean toilets available.
4-5 parking spaces.
You can park here and take a walk through the rice terraces.
Beautiful rice terraces that the locals continue to care for and protect with great care. In order to continue to protect this landscape, we ask for your cooperation in maintaining the landscape, such as by taking your trash home with you.
Another recommended way to spend time MaruyamaSenmaida is to listen to the sounds of nature, such as the wind and insects, and spend time in peace and quiet. Please be careful about noise.

MaruyamaSenmaida where you can enjoy various beauties as the seasons change.

It is truly a place worthy of being called the good old rice terraces that Japan is proud of.
A variety of events are held throughout the year, so please come and experience the wonders firsthand.