Otoshi Rice Terraces

Overview

Otoshi Rice Terraces in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture, captivate with their magnificent landscape of approximately 2,000 rice paddies. Located at an elevation of 460m to 560m, they offer stunning views of the Zenkoji Plain below and the Northern Alps in the distance. Long known as a famous spot for "Ta-matoi no Tsuki" (Moon over the Rice Paddies), this location has inspired poems from renowned poets Matsuo Basho and Kobayashi Issa. The breathtaking "Ta-matoi no Tsuki" spectacle at dusk, where the moon is reflected in the rice paddies, is a truly enchanting sight. This phrase evokes the scene of the moon shifting across the numerous rice paddies of varying sizes and shapes, presenting a mystical beauty different from the daytime scenery. Designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government in 1999 and selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Rice Terraces, the terraces showcase beautiful seasonal views – vibrant green in spring, lush green rice stalks in summer, golden rice ears in autumn, and a tranquil snowy landscape in winter. Otoshi Rice Terraces are easily accessible, a 10-minute walk from JR Otoshi Station, offering stunning views from the train window as well. Otoshi Station is famous as one of the "JR Three Great Train Views," renowned for its exceptional scenery. Uniquely, the waiting benches on the station platform face away from the tracks. Furthermore, Otoshi Rice Terraces offer a rice paddy ownership program, providing opportunities to experience rice farming firsthand. Learn about Japanese agriculture and nature through hands-on participation in planting, weeding, and harvesting. Otoshi Rice Terraces offer a harmonious blend of nature and culture, representing a quintessential Japanese landscape. Visit and experience the beauty for yourself.