Around 800 rice paddies cascade down the mountainside of Shodoshima at Nakayama Senmaida, one of Japan's 100 Best Rice Terraces.

Fed by the renowned spring water of Yubune, the terraces spread across a steep slope. Enjoy a timeless rural landscape that changes with the seasons—from mirror-like flooded paddies in spring and lush greenery in summer to golden rice in autumn.

Three highlights of Nakayama Senmaida

1. 1. Rice-terrace scenery that changes with the seasonsEach visit brings a different view: water-filled paddies in spring, vibrant green fields in summer, and golden rice in autumn.
2. 2. Stone-walled terraces cultivated for some 700 yearsFed by Yubune's spring water, paddies of many sizes climb the steep mountainside, creating a landscape shaped by both nature and generations of farming.
3. 3. The magical torchlight of the traditional Mushi-okuri festivalUsually held in summer, this traditional event sees torchlight winding through the terraces. Please check official information for the latest schedule and whether the event will be held.

Official information and directions

Check the Shodoshima Tourism websiteGet directions on Google Maps

Quick access guide

* The terraces are working farmland within a residential community. Please do not enter private property or interfere with farm work, and follow all signs on site.

Nearby attractions

• ・Enjoy the terraced scenery and local flavorsAround the rice terraces, visitors can discover satoyama scenery shaped by spring water as well as a rural kabuki stage. After your walk, try dishes made with Shodoshima somen noodles, olives, and soy sauce, and experience the local life and food culture that sustain this landscape.
• ・Marukin Soy Sauce Memorial MuseumLearn about the history and production process of soy sauce on Shodoshima through exhibits housed in a former factory. Visiting after seeing the water and agricultural scenery that nourish the terraces offers a deeper appreciation of the island’s food culture shaped by its natural environment.
• ・Explore Shodoshima’s natural sceneryContinue to Kankakei Gorge or viewpoints along the coast to discover mountain and seaside landscapes different from the rice terraces. Check the season, weather, and travel times around the island, and allow plenty of time to journey from the satoyama countryside to the coast.