Danbata in Yusumizugaura, Cultural landscape in Uwajima, Japan.
The Danbata terraced fields in Yusumizugaura are agricultural plots carved into a steep mountain slope, rising 80 meters above sea level and built with stacked stone walls. The inclines exceed 30 degrees and face the Uwa Sea, with each tier supported by carefully constructed stonework.
The terraces were built over time by farmers who developed techniques to transform steep coastal hillsides into working farmland in Ehime Prefecture. These innovations allowed the region to cultivate crops in an area where flat land was scarce and mountain farming required careful planning.
These terraced fields have shaped local life for generations and remain an active part of the community. The daily work of farming here keeps alive both the landscape and the knowledge of how to work with such steep terrain.
Visit on days with clear weather as the narrow terrace paths can be slippery and steep. A local shop on site sells regional products and offers a good starting point for understanding what farmers grow and how they work here.
The stone walls of the terraces absorb heat during the day and release it at night, creating a natural advantage for growing certain plants in this cool coastal area. This thermal effect is easy to miss unless you spend time walking among the fields and notice how the stones feel warm underfoot.
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