Aug. 30, 2011
“Tanada” rice terraces, forests provide healing therapy to urbanites
A steeply slanting area with vast “tanada” rice terraces and deep forests in the southern part of Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, receives many urbanites hoping to have a time to heal and refresh themselves in the natural environment.
The Tsuzura district in Ukiha City, designated as a “forest therapy area” in a publicly financed project in 2008, extends on both sides of the valley along Tsuzura River, which waters the beautiful tanada rice fields. The district has about 300 tanada rice terraces built with stone walls in an area of about six hectares around 500 meters high. Tsuzura was selected as one of Japan’s 100 most beautiful tanada areas by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1999.
A landscape with tanada rice terraces spread beneath a mountain or on a hill is said to be one of the classic natural views which are original to Japan. The Tsuzura area, which has a history of about 400 years, used to be cultivated by some 100 farmers, but the number has declined to about 15. This is why Ukiha City has taken various measures to preserve the rice terraces and the district.
Guided tours are available mainly on weekends from spring to autumn, with volunteers chosen by the city from among local people ready to show visitors around while telling them not only about natural features such as the names of trees and wild flowers but also efforts by farmers to maintain the tanada fields over generations. Guided by them on “therapy roads” of 1.8 kilometers and 3 kilometers, visitors can have a close look at Japanese cedars and Japanese cypresses, and pure mountain streams while following trails in the woods in fresh air which contains minus ions. Lucky visitors may also have a chance to see sunbeams streaming through the leaves of trees or morning dews on the tip of leaves glitter on the sunlight like diamonds with rainbow colors. Trails at some places are said to be filled with the so-called 1/f noise fluctuations which have an effect of healing the man’s heart.
Water which irrigates the tanada fields comes via bamboo gutters from streams high up the valley. The streams are so pure that people come from distant places to dip up water for drinking at their home, a guide said. The water temperature is unchanged throughout the year and “this is why delicious rice can be produced here,” said the guide proudly.
The so-called “owner system,” introduced by the city, provides people with opportunities to join rice planting and reaping for a donation of at least 30,000 yen. The "owners" have a part of the harvest from the fields sent to them. The system not only contributes to preserving the tanada fields but also gives urban people chances to be friendly with the nature and remind themselves of its preciousness.
The series of efforts by Ukiha City to demonstrate its beautiful natural environment and activate the local community is expected to be more successful at a time when agri-tourism is gradually becoming popular among health-conscious Japanese people.
“Tanada” rice terraces, forests provide healing therapy to urbanites
A steeply slanting area with vast “tanada” rice terraces and deep forests in the southern part of Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, receives many urbanites hoping to have a time to heal and refresh themselves in the natural environment.
The Tsuzura district in Ukiha City, designated as a “forest therapy area” in a publicly financed project in 2008, extends on both sides of the valley along Tsuzura River, which waters the beautiful tanada rice fields. The district has about 300 tanada rice terraces built with stone walls in an area of about six hectares around 500 meters high. Tsuzura was selected as one of Japan’s 100 most beautiful tanada areas by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1999.
A landscape with tanada rice terraces spread beneath a mountain or on a hill is said to be one of the classic natural views which are original to Japan. The Tsuzura area, which has a history of about 400 years, used to be cultivated by some 100 farmers, but the number has declined to about 15. This is why Ukiha City has taken various measures to preserve the rice terraces and the district.
Guided tours are available mainly on weekends from spring to autumn, with volunteers chosen by the city from among local people ready to show visitors around while telling them not only about natural features such as the names of trees and wild flowers but also efforts by farmers to maintain the tanada fields over generations. Guided by them on “therapy roads” of 1.8 kilometers and 3 kilometers, visitors can have a close look at Japanese cedars and Japanese cypresses, and pure mountain streams while following trails in the woods in fresh air which contains minus ions. Lucky visitors may also have a chance to see sunbeams streaming through the leaves of trees or morning dews on the tip of leaves glitter on the sunlight like diamonds with rainbow colors. Trails at some places are said to be filled with the so-called 1/f noise fluctuations which have an effect of healing the man’s heart.
Water which irrigates the tanada fields comes via bamboo gutters from streams high up the valley. The streams are so pure that people come from distant places to dip up water for drinking at their home, a guide said. The water temperature is unchanged throughout the year and “this is why delicious rice can be produced here,” said the guide proudly.
The so-called “owner system,” introduced by the city, provides people with opportunities to join rice planting and reaping for a donation of at least 30,000 yen. The "owners" have a part of the harvest from the fields sent to them. The system not only contributes to preserving the tanada fields but also gives urban people chances to be friendly with the nature and remind themselves of its preciousness.
The series of efforts by Ukiha City to demonstrate its beautiful natural environment and activate the local community is expected to be more successful at a time when agri-tourism is gradually becoming popular among health-conscious Japanese people.
