A thousand paddies sustained by the sea
On a steep coastal slope of the Noto Peninsula, 1,004 individual rice paddies cascade down toward the Sea of Japan. This landscape, the Shiroyone Senmaida, is a result of agricultural engineering that relies on a delicate hydrological balance. The name "Senmaida" translates to "a thousand rice paddies," a near-accurate description of the site. The entire system is recognized by the United Nations as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), a designation it received in 2011 for its preservation of traditional farming culture and its unique relationship with the environment.
The primary challenge here is water retention. The paddies are exceptionally small; the average plot is only about 18 to 20 square meters, with some barely large enough for two stalks of rice. This small size, combined with the steep 50-meter elevation drop and constant sea breezes, creates conditions for high evaporation. The system's water is supplied almost entirely by rainfall and local streams, with no major river to feed it. An irrigation canal built around 400 years ago directs this water to the highest paddy, from which it flows down to all the others. The reason for the paddies' survival is the very sea that contributes to water loss. Frequent coastal fog rolls up the hillside, bathing the rice plants in moisture. This atmospheric water condenses on the leaves and soil, supplementing the fresh water supply and offsetting what is lost to the sun and wind.
Cultivation by hand
The unique topography makes modern mechanization impossible. All farming at Shiroyone Senmaida, from planting in May to harvesting in September, is performed manually. The small, irregular shapes of the terraces prevent the use of tractors or large equipment. Farmers and volunteers work by hand to plant seedlings, weed the fields, and eventually harvest the rice. This ancestral method of cultivation is a tradition.
This labor-intensive process is why the site a GIAHS. The farming techniques also include using little to no pesticides, as the constant sea breeze naturally helps to keep pests away. The result is a highly-prized, delicious rice cultivated through methods that have been passed down for generations. To help preserve this landscape in the face of an aging local population, an "owner system" was established in 2007. This program allows individuals and companies to sponsor a paddy, participate in the farming, and receive a share of the harvest, ensuring the fields remain productive.