The 'thousand' in the name is a traditional Japanese term for 'many,' as the actual count of paddies fluctuates based on seasonal maintenance.
Paddies are manually maintained because the small, irregular shapes prevent the use of large modern agricultural machinery.
The preservation project allows outside individuals to become 'owners' of a plot for a season, participating in planting and harvesting.
Local farmers use a traditional weeding method that involves raising 'Aigamo' ducks in the paddies to consume pests and weeds naturally.
The site hosts an annual lantern festival in early autumn, where thousands of torches are lit along the ridges of the terraces.
Maruyama Senmaida consists of approximately 1,340 small, irregularly shaped rice paddies carved into a steep mountain slope in Kumano, Mie Prefecture. Known as the 'thousand paddies,' it is one of Japan's most famous terraced rice fields and is recognized as a Prefectural Place of Scenic Beauty. The site relies on traditional irrigation techniques, utilizing natural mountain springs to feed the gravity-based water system. These terraces are maintained by the local Maruyama Senmaida Preservation Society, which relies on a 'tenant farmer' system to keep the land cultivated. The vertical drop of the slope ranges from 160 to 400 meters above sea level. This landscape is a core component of the cultural heritage found along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes.
The designated roadside observation area situated at a higher elevation provides the best panoramic view of the entire valley.
Bring stable footwear, as paths between the terraces are narrow, steep, and can be muddy.
Respect the signage indicating private farmland; stay on the designated walking paths and roads.
Pack water and snacks, as there are no shops or vending machines within the immediate terrace area.
Attempting to drive large vehicles on the narrow, winding mountain access roads which are prone to congestion.
Stay on marked paths, do not step into the flooded paddies, and do not pick crops or flowers.
