The Tsukawa Rice Terraces spread across Asahi Town in Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains, these remarkable terraced rice fields combine traditional agricultural landscapes with the beauty of the natural environment.
The terraces are particularly striking for their layers of carefully constructed stone walls. Rising along the steep mountain slopes, the walls can resemble the remains of an ancient mountain fortress. The landscape has been selected as one of the 100 Best Rice Terraces in Japan, a national selection by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The most distinctive feature of the Tsukawa Rice Terraces is the extensive network of stone walls. Because the area is mountainous and has very little flat land, local residents created rice fields by carefully shaping the slopes into a series of stepped terraces.
The stone walls were built not only to create farmland but also to help prevent soil erosion and landslides. Over generations, these practical structures became an integral part of the area’s beautiful rural landscape.
From the prefectural road, visitors can see the terraces rising in orderly layers against a backdrop of dense mountain forests. The quiet scenery has a timeless atmosphere, offering a striking contrast to the busy urban environments found elsewhere.
The appearance of the rice terraces changes dramatically with the seasons. In spring, newly flooded fields reflect the sky like mirrors. During summer, the terraces become covered with vibrant green rice plants, while autumn brings golden ears of rice that glow across the mountain slopes.
These seasonal changes make the area especially appealing to photographers and travelers who enjoy experiencing traditional Japanese countryside scenery.
The terraces are believed to have been developed approximately 200 years ago during the Edo period. At that time, samurai who had come from Tottori Castle are said to have settled in the area and engaged in tatara ironmaking, a traditional Japanese method of producing iron.
According to local history, they worked in iron production during the summer and used the agricultural off-season in winter to construct the terraced fields. Over many years, their efforts transformed the steep mountain slopes into the impressive stone-walled landscape seen today.
The name Tsukawa is said to have originated approximately 800 years ago. According to local tradition, people who moved here from Kyoto compared the river flowing through the area with Kyoto’s Kamo River.
The surrounding mountains were also thought to resemble the scenery around Kyoto, leading to the use of the name “Tsukawa,” incorporating the character for “capital” or “metropolis.” This story reflects the long connection between the landscape and the people who have made their home here.
Maintaining rice terraces on steep, irregular terrain requires considerable effort. Despite these challenges, local farmers continue to care for the fields through steady, everyday work.
Their efforts help preserve both the farmland and the traditional landscape while also reducing the risk of disasters such as landslides and erosion. The terraces remain a living example of how agriculture and the natural environment can coexist.
The Tsukawa Rice Terraces consist of approximately 200 individual rice fields covering about 6.7 hectares. They are maintained by only 11 farming households.
At an elevation of approximately 500 meters, the area has a relatively cool climate. The difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures, together with the area’s clear water, contributes to the quality of the rice grown here.
The Tsukawa district was once crossed by the Old Hiroshima Highway, a historic route used during the sankin-kotai system, when feudal lords traveled between their domains and Edo, present-day Tokyo.
Walking around the area provides opportunities to encounter traces of this history while enjoying the surrounding mountain scenery.
Trekking routes have also been developed around the rice terraces. Walking along the mountain landscape allows visitors to appreciate the stone walls at close range while enjoying the sounds and scenery of the countryside.
The experience is particularly rewarding for travelers who want to explore rural Japan at a slower pace rather than simply viewing the landscape from a vehicle.
Traditional events remain an important part of life in the Tsukawa district. During the Hassaku Festival in summer and autumn festivals, performances of Iwami Kagura are presented throughout the night.
Iwami Kagura is a traditional sacred performing art from the Iwami region of Shimane, characterized by dramatic dances, elaborate costumes, and powerful music. Experiencing it in a rural community offers visitors an opportunity to encounter a living tradition that is closely connected to local beliefs and seasonal festivals.
Every May, the area hosts a health walking event and community Kagura performances, attracting both local residents and visitors.
These events provide a chance to explore the scenery while experiencing the warm atmosphere of the local community.
From May through November, on the first and third Sundays of each month, visitors can enjoy a traditional Japanese-style tea break at an old farmhouse.
Known as “Engawa Café,” the experience allows guests to sit on the traditional wooden veranda, look out over the rice terraces, and enjoy tea at a leisurely pace.
Rather than simply observing a beautiful landscape, visitors can immerse themselves in the sounds of the countryside—the breeze through the trees, flowing water, and birdsong. It is an ideal setting for slowing down and experiencing the peaceful rhythm of rural Japan.
The Tsukawa Rice Terraces are approximately 20 minutes by car from the Asahi Interchange on the Hamada Expressway.
Located in a quiet mountain area, the journey itself offers an opportunity to enjoy the scenery of rural Shimane. Visitors are encouraged to allow plenty of time and make the drive part of the experience.
The Tsukawa Rice Terraces are more than a scenic viewpoint. They are a living rural landscape shaped by approximately two centuries of farming, traditional craftsmanship, and the continuing efforts of local residents.
The impressive stone walls, seasonal rice fields, historic roads, traditional festivals, and Iwami Kagura together reveal a distinctive side of Shimane that cannot be experienced in major cities.
For travelers seeking peaceful scenery and a deeper connection with traditional Japanese rural life, Tsukawa offers a memorable opportunity to experience the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Iwami region.