🗺️ Hoshitoge Rice Terraces星峠の棚田

The terraced fields in the Matsunoyama and Matsushiro areas of Tokamachi City, selected as one of the "100 Best Rice Terraces in Japan," are a breathtaking sight with over 200 fields spread across the slopes. They can be considered a symbolic landscape of "Rice Country Niigata." The opening scenes of the NHK historical drama "Tenchijin" are likely etched in the memories of many. Autumn is the best season for viewing. After the rice harvest, water is introduced into the fields, creating "water mirrors." If you're lucky in the morning, you might even see a sea of clouds. Besides autumn, you can enjoy the beautiful fresh greens of spring, the lush rice paddies of summer, and the snow-covered scenery of winter, each offering a different seasonal view. This area is agricultural land rather than a tourist spot. Since this is private land owned by farmers, please do not enter the fields without permission, and be sure to observe proper etiquette when visiting. Additionally, during winter, heavy snowfall covers the area, and the roads are not cleared of snow, making it inaccessible for visits.

Selected as one of the "One Hundred Scenic Spots of Japan." The best views are during late autumn (late October to November) and spring (April to June) when the fields are irrigated. Please do not enter the fields, and take your trash with you. Kindly observe etiquette while visiting.