Nakayama Senmaida on Shodoshima Island

We stayed on Shodoshima Island (Kagawa Prefecture) for four days during a historical typhoon in July.  Nonetheless, we managed to see these beautiful terrace rice paddies between heavy rain.  The area is called Nakayama Senmaida located in the middle of the island.  “Senmaida” literally means a thousand rice paddies.  The area indeed has almost 800 rice paddies.  You can imagine how difficult for farmers to take care of crops due to tight and steep land.

Its curve lines look amazing when sunlight or breezes hit.

We were lucky to participate in their traditional farming event called “Mushi Okuri.” It means driving off crop eating insects.  The villagers get together before twilight and children walk along paddies with bamboo torches.  Fire was supposed to kill those insects in olden days when chemicals were available.  The torchlight reflects on the water of rice fields, which is tranquil and idyllic.