Kashihara no Tanada, Rice terraces in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan.
Kashihara no Tanada is a rice terrace landscape in Tokushima Prefecture consisting of multiple tiers cut into hillsides that form a structured pattern across the terrain. The site comprises many stacked paddies linked together by waterways that control the flow from one level to the next.
These terraces developed over many centuries as farmers actively reshaped mountainous terrain into productive farmland. The development reflects how people in this region persistently adapted the landscape to meet their agricultural needs.
The terraces reflect farming methods passed down through generations, adapted to transform steep hillsides into working agricultural land. Water channels connecting the different levels form a visible part of the daily landscape and remain central to how the place functions.
The best seasons to visit are spring during planting and autumn during harvest, when the terraces show peak activity. Exploring the site on foot is straightforward, though sturdy footwear and care on the narrow paths are recommended.
Each terrace level operates as an independent water management system with its own channels and control points. This decentralized approach allows farmers to adjust irrigation at each level separately without affecting the operation of other tiers.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
