What Are the Maruyama Senmaida Rice Terraces? A Terraced Landscape in the Kumano Mountains
Maruyama Senmaida Rice Terraces (Maruyama Senmaida) spread across the slope of the Maruyama district in Kiwa-chō, Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, with curving paddies layered along the mountain terrain.
With as many as 1,340 paddies of varying sizes lined up on a single slope, the scale earns it the title of "Japan's finest rice terraces."
Being aware that this is land still cared for as a place of rice farming—not merely a sight to view—deepens how the scenery appears.
The Rhythm of Terraces Following the Mountain Slope
Each paddy is small and irregular in shape, so when viewed from above, the water surfaces and ridges (aze) connect like a fine pattern.
Unlike orderly, straight-lined farmland, the traces of people continuing to build paddies in tune with the terrain have themselves become the character of the landscape.
A Rural Landscape Selected Among Japan's 100 Best Rice Terraces
Maruyama Senmaida is among the rice terraces selected for "Japan's 100 Best Rice Terraces" chosen by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Records show 2,240 paddies existed in 1601 (Keichō 6), but due to cedar afforestation and depopulation from the mid-1960s onward, the number dropped to 530 by the early Heisei period.
Through subsequent restoration efforts, about 1,340 paddies are now maintained and preserved, reviving the landscape of times past.
A Way of Seeing That Goes Beyond Just Photos
For international travelers, rice terraces are a place that easily catches the eye as "quintessentially Japanese scenery."
But at Maruyama Senmaida, the landscape is supported by the overlapping of stone walls, ridges, water, rice plants, and human labor, so the more you walk while observing the details, the more your understanding broadens.
How to Enjoy Maruyama Senmaida by Season
Maruyama Senmaida changes in impression across the period when water enters the paddies, when the rice grows, when the harvest arrives, and the winter preparation period.
Even in the same place, the color, light, water surface, and appearance of the stone walls change by season, so changing your way of seeing to match the purpose of your trip makes it easier to enjoy.
Here is how each season looks, narrowed down to viewpoints travelers can easily focus on at the site.
| Season | How It Looks | Travel Viewpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Reflective water surfaces | Reflection of light |
| Summer | Green rice plants | Movement of the wind |
| Autumn | Colors of the harvest | Lines of the ridges |
| Winter | Stone walls stand out | Observe the structure |
In Spring, See the Water Surfaces and Sunset Scenery
Spring is the period from April to May when water is filled into the paddies, making it easier for the colors of the sky and mountains to reflect on the water surface.
Since the impression of the water surface changes with the angle of the sunlight, it is good to gaze at the curves of the whole terraced landscape while slightly shifting where you stand.
In Summer, Feel the Green of the Rice and the Hint of Farm Work
In summer, the green of the rice deepens, and the terraces appear as a soft expanse of green.
On the first Saturday of June each year, the traditional event “Mushi-okuri,” a traditional insect-chasing ritual, is held, setting up 1,340 candles—matching the number of paddies—and wrapping the terraces in a fantastical light.
It is also the season when work to preserve the landscape, such as mowing and water management, continues, so it is a time to value the sense of distance from the farmland by not getting too close to the paddies.
In Autumn, Note the Shift in Color Toward Harvest
In autumn, from September to October, the color of the rice turns golden, making the lines and steps of the terraces easier to see.
Around the equinox (late September), red spider lilies sometimes bloom on the ridges, and you can enjoy the calm color palette created by the rice, the ridges, and the surrounding mountains.
In Winter, the Shapes of the Stone Walls and Terrain Are Easy to See
In winter, with less of the rice's green, the stone walls, the shapes of the paddies, and the structure of the slope become easier to see.
Rather than seeking flashy colors, turning your attention to the civil engineering and farming techniques that support the terraces conveys a charm unique to the quiet season.
The History and Conservation Background Worth Knowing at Maruyama Senmaida
The scenery of Maruyama Senmaida was not formed naturally; over a long span of time, people cultivated the slope, stacked stones, and protected it as paddies.
Visiting after learning about the region's preservation activities makes each paddy in front of you seem not merely like scenery, but like part of an agricultural culture handed down through generations.
A Terraced Landscape Protected Through Paddy Restoration
Maruyama Senmaida once saw its number of paddies drop to 530 due to abandonment of cultivation and other factors.
In 1993 (Heisei 5), the "Maruyama Senmaida Preservation Society," made up of all the district's residents, was formed, and restoration and conservation activities began, recovering the landscape to today's roughly 1,340 paddies.
Those visiting for sightseeing are encouraged to look not only at the completed landscape but also at the community's efforts to restore and maintain paddies that were nearly lost.
The Rice Terrace Owner System and Its Connection to Farm Work
At Maruyama Senmaida, a rice terrace owner system is operated to encourage exchange with urban residents and support conservation.
Through tasks such as the ridge-plastering experience in April and the rice-harvesting gathering in September, there is a mechanism connecting those who view the terraces with those who protect them through rice planting and harvesting.
In addition, there is the "Society to Protect Maruyama Senmaida," which supports conservation through an annual membership fee, and such initiatives form an important background for understanding this place.
Learn the Words That Support the Terraces
Knowing a little about the names of what you can see on-site makes it easier to observe the landscape in detail.
| Word | Meaning | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Tanada (terraces) | Stepped paddies | Shape of the slope |
| Aze (ridge) | Boundary of the paddy | Thin curves |
| Ishigaki (stone wall) | Wall supporting the paddy | Way it is stacked |
| Tensui (rainwater) | Water from rain | Flow of the water |
| Fukuden (paddy restoration) | Restoring a paddy | Traces of conservation |
Etiquette and Prohibited Acts to Observe Before Photographing Maruyama Senmaida
Maruyama Senmaida offers photogenic scenery, but the paddies themselves are a place of farm work and a cultural asset protected by local people.
Even for photography, not crossing into off-limits areas or beyond the boundaries of the farmland is the basic consideration expected of travelers.
Do Not Enter the Anti-Pest Electric Fences or the Ridges
Entering the anti-pest electric fences is announced as a prohibited act.
The area inside the electric fences is an extremely dangerous place that can lead to electric shock, and stepping off the footpaths or removing the electric fence wires to take photos is dangerous and also burdens the farmland.
Refrain From Aerial Photography by Drone
Aerial photography by drone within the terraces is basically prohibited.
Even if you want to photograph from the sky, prioritize the local rules and find creative ways to enjoy the scenery visible from the ground.
Consider Photography Etiquette by Situation
When choosing a photography spot, it is reassuring to check not only for a good composition but also whether you might obstruct farm work or the movement of other visitors.
| Situation | Viewpoint | Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Viewpoint | The overall curves | Share the space |
| Farm road | Closeness of the ridges | Give priority to passage |
| Sunset | Reflection of light | Don't linger too long |
| During events | Movement of people | Check the guidance |
Value the Sense of Distance From Farmland
The terraces are not a place to enter freely like a park flower bed.
Watching out for the small steps and waterways underfoot, and quietly gazing from designated viewing areas, helps preserve the landscape for future seasons.
How to Get Around Maruyama Senmaida and Access for First-Time Visitors
Maruyama Senmaida is less a tourist site where you follow a set route through a facility, and more a spot where you savor the scenery within a village and its farmland.
Confirming your access method, destination setting, how to walk on-site, and points to note when going in a group before you visit lets you spend a relaxed time.
Access by Car and Estimated Travel Times
If heading by car, the time from the Kumano-Ōdomari Interchange on the Kumano-Owase Road to Maruyama Senmaida is about 40 minutes.
By public transport, Kumanoshi Station on the JR Kisei Main Line is the gateway, and from Kumanoshi Station to Maruyama Senmaida is about 30 minutes by car, while by route bus you need to get off at the “Senmaida Tori-toge Iriguchi” bus stop and continue on foot.
Confirm Your Destination in Advance
There is no special facility at the location of Maruyama Senmaida, and it is announced that you cannot set the destination by phone-number search on a car navigation system.
If using a car navigation system or map app, enter the address “255-6 Maruyama, Kiwa-chō, Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, Senmaida-sō,” or confirm the destination guidance before departure.
For Large Buses, Advance Consultation Is Advisable
It is announced that large buses cannot pass through to Maruyama Senmaida.
If visiting in a group, transferring to the small bus (paid) of the Iruka Onsen Hotel Seiryūsō is recommended, so consulting in advance with counters such as the Kumano City Furusato Promotion Corporation is reassuring.
Walk in Line With the Footing and the Weather
The area around the terraces is mountainous terrain, with a different walking feel than the paved sidewalks of urban areas.
The footing can feel slippery after rain, so choose comfortable walking shoes and be mindful of enjoying the scenery in places that don't get in the way of farm work.
How to Pair Maruyama Senmaida With the Surrounding Kumano Area
Because Maruyama Senmaida is in the mountains of Kumano, combining it with the surrounding nature, hot springs, and historical spots makes the trip more satisfying.
However, since travel times and business hours may change, it is reassuring to confirm each facility's information before building a concrete plan.
Gently Connect the Nature and History of Kiwa-chō
Among the sights of Kiwa-chō, the Akagi Castle ruins built by Tōdō Takatora, Nunobiki Falls selected among Japan's 100 best waterfalls, and the Iruka Onsen Hotel Seiryūsō are well known.
Centering on Maruyama Senmaida and naturally combining the mountain scenery, castle ruins, waterfall, and hot spring makes it easier to feel the expanse of the Kumano region.
If Combining With the Kumano Kodō Direction, Allow Plenty of Time
The Kumano area has many mountain and valley roads, so even places that look close on a map require ample travel time.
Rather than packing in many places in a short time, international travelers will find it easier to savor the local atmosphere by planning to leave time to gaze at the scenery at Maruyama Senmaida.
Confirm Meal and Rest Options in Advance
The area around Maruyama Senmaida is not a place where restaurants cluster densely like in an urban area.
For lunch or a break, the Iruka Onsen Hotel Seiryūsō, where you can savor Kumano jidori (local chicken) and the citrus "Niihime," is one option.
For meals, breaks, and restrooms, confirming options through tourist information or guidance for nearby facilities before you set out is reassuring.
Summary: Savoring the Landscape and the Work of Farming at Maruyama Senmaida
Maruyama Senmaida is a spot where, in the mountains of Kumano, you can simultaneously feel the curves of about 1,340 terraced paddies, the colors of the seasons, and the work of farming.
Before visiting, confirm your destination and the rules, and on-site it is important not to enter the farmland, to refrain from drone photography, and to enjoy the scenery from where you are allowed to view.
With water surfaces shining in spring, green spreading in summer, the harvest of autumn, and stone walls easy to see in winter, each season has a different expression, so it suits a trip where you walk while learning the land's background rather than just hurriedly taking photos.
