“Aragi-jima and the Rural Landscapes of Mita and Shimizu” is a beautiful agricultural and mountain village landscape spread across Aridagawa Town in Wakayama Prefecture. On October 17, 2013, the area was selected as an Important Cultural Landscape of Japan, recognizing its outstanding value as a traditional rural environment shaped by generations of interaction between people and nature.
It was the first Important Cultural Landscape designated in Wakayama Prefecture. Unlike untouched natural scenery, a cultural landscape is a place that has been shaped over a long period through the activities of people living and working in harmony with their natural surroundings.
In this sense, the landscape of Mita and Shimizu can be viewed as a shared creation of people and nature. The rice fields, waterways, forests, settlements, religious sites, and traditional industries all tell the story of how local communities have adapted to the environment over many generations.
The upper reaches of the Arida River are characterized by a geological feature known as incised meanders. Over time, the river has cut deeply into the surrounding land, creating developed river terraces and distinctive mountain landscapes.
Among the most remarkable features is Aragi-jima, also known as Rantō-jima. The name refers to a tongue-shaped terrace created on the inside of a large bend in the river. On this unusual landform, 54 rice paddies of various sizes are arranged in a fan-shaped pattern.
The graceful curves of the rice terraces follow the natural contours of the land. The combination of the river, mountains, and carefully cultivated fields creates a landscape that is both highly distinctive and visually beautiful.
Aragi-jima is particularly impressive because it demonstrates how agricultural communities have made effective use of difficult mountainous terrain. Instead of reshaping the land completely, farmers developed rice fields that fit naturally into the existing landscape.
The result is a scenery that many visitors associate with the traditional Japanese countryside: green mountains, winding rivers, terraced rice fields, and small rural communities closely connected with the land.
The area around Aragi-jima is located in a mountainous region, yet it contains relatively broad river terraces. Such a combination of mountainous terrain and usable agricultural land is relatively rare in Japan.
Farmers have created rice terraces along the natural contours of the land, while forests, streams, waterways, and fields continue to support a diverse ecosystem.
The region is home to a variety of wildlife, including wrinkled frogs, black-spotted pond frogs, and Japanese fire-bellied newts. The Japanese fire-bellied newt is classified as a near-threatened species in some regional conservation assessments.
These living creatures are an important part of the cultural landscape. The continued presence of such wildlife demonstrates that agriculture and traditional land management have coexisted with the natural environment for generations.
The history of the area extends far into the past and is believed to date back as far as the Late Jomon period. By the Heian period, the development of rice paddies had progressed, and during the Kamakura period the area flourished as a shoen, or medieval landed estate, known as Atekawa-no-Sho.
One of the most important developments in the history of the landscape took place during the early Edo period.
In 1655, during the early Edo period, the local village headman Kasamatsu Sadafu played a central role in developing an irrigation canal known as the Kamiyu Irrigation Canal. Water was brought from the Yukawa River to support agricultural development.
The construction of this waterway made it possible to expand rice cultivation and helped establish the foundation of the terraced rice-field landscape that can still be seen today.
Remarkably, the irrigation system continues to be used. It is maintained collectively by members of the local community, demonstrating how a traditional water-management system has been passed down through generations.
This continuity is one of the important reasons why the area is valued as a cultural landscape. The scenery is not simply a preserved historical display; it remains part of the living agricultural environment of the community.
Because flat agricultural land is limited in this mountainous region, local residents have traditionally relied on a variety of occupations in addition to farming. Forestry, traditional papermaking, and charcoal production have all played important roles in supporting rural life.
One particularly notable local craft is Yasuda Washi, a traditional type of Japanese handmade paper. The abundant water resources and favorable climate of the region provided suitable conditions for papermaking.
Yasuda Washi was traditionally used for products such as wagasa, or Japanese umbrellas. The craft represents the close relationship between local resources and traditional industries.
Plants such as paper mulberry, windmill palms, and Japanese pepper have also been cultivated along rice-field banks and at the edges of the mountains.
These plants were useful in everyday life, but they also became part of the visual character of the countryside. In this way, practical knowledge and traditional lifestyles have helped create and maintain the beautiful landscape seen today.
The most famous feature of this cultural landscape is undoubtedly Aragi-jima. From the observation point on the opposite side of the river, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the distinctive fan-shaped rice terraces.
The appearance of the fields changes throughout the year, offering a different experience in every season.
In spring, the rice paddies are filled with water before rice planting. The calm water reflects the sky and surrounding mountains, creating a beautiful “water mirror” effect.
During summer, the growing rice plants turn the terraces into a vivid green landscape. The contrast between the green fields, blue sky, and surrounding mountains creates a refreshing rural scene.
In autumn, the rice plants mature and the fields turn golden. The warm colors of the rice terraces create one of the most picturesque views of the year.
When snow covers the fields in winter, Aragi-jima takes on a completely different appearance. The quiet white landscape offers a sense of tranquility and allows visitors to appreciate the underlying shapes of the terraces.
These seasonal changes make Aragi-jima an excellent destination for photography and for travelers who want to experience the beauty of Japan’s traditional rural landscapes.
The rice terraces are still actively used as agricultural land. Visitors should therefore view Aragi-jima from the designated observation area across the river rather than entering the fields.
Respecting the fields and avoiding disruption to farming activities is an important part of visiting this living cultural landscape. By following local rules and viewing the scenery from appropriate locations, travelers can help protect Aragi-jima for future generations.
The cultural value of the area extends beyond its rice terraces. Throughout the surrounding countryside are historic buildings, religious sites, and other features that reveal how people have lived here over the centuries.
The former cow shed at Aragi-jima is one example of a historic structure that survived the major flood disaster of the Showa period. It provides a glimpse into the agricultural life of earlier generations.
Such structures are valuable not only because of their age but also because they preserve evidence of the everyday activities that once supported the local farming community.
Religious sites such as Zaō Gongen Shrine, Kasuga Shrine, and Kannon-do Hall are also scattered throughout the area.
These sites reflect the spiritual traditions of the local communities. They should not be viewed simply as individual historic buildings; they are part of a broader cultural landscape deeply connected with the lives, beliefs, and customs of the people who have lived here.
Today, the landscape is carefully maintained by local conservation groups and farming families. One particularly remarkable feature is that very few rice fields have been abandoned, with the paddies continuing to be cultivated.
This ongoing agricultural activity is essential to preserving the character of the cultural landscape. If the fields were no longer cultivated, the scenery and ecosystem that have developed around them would gradually change.
New activities have also introduced modern elements into the traditional landscape. During winter, for example, LED illumination events may add a contemporary touch to the countryside.
These efforts demonstrate that preserving cultural heritage does not necessarily mean keeping a place frozen in the past. Instead, the community can continue to use, maintain, and share the landscape while finding new ways to connect it with modern visitors.
Aragi-jima and the Rural Landscapes of Mita and Shimizu are much more than scenic tourist destinations. They are a precious cultural heritage created through the long relationship between people and the natural environment.
The rice terraces, irrigation canals, forests, rivers, traditional industries, religious sites, and rural homes all form parts of a single landscape. Together, they tell the story of generations of people who learned how to live sustainably within a mountainous environment.
For international visitors, this area offers an opportunity to experience a side of Japan that is very different from its major cities and famous urban attractions. Here, the beauty of the countryside is closely connected with agriculture, history, traditional knowledge, and everyday life.
When visiting Aridagawa Town, take time to look beyond the famous scenery of Aragi-jima and consider the history and human effort behind it. The landscape is a living legacy that continues to be cared for by the local community.
Aragi-jima and the surrounding rural landscape preserve a beautiful image of Japan’s countryside for future generations. A visit here is not only a chance to enjoy spectacular scenery, but also an opportunity to discover the traditions, wisdom, and relationship with nature that have shaped rural Japan for centuries.