Oyama Senmaida

Oyama Senmaida is in Kamogawa City of Chiba Prefecture at the foot of Mineoka Mountain near the Kamo River. It is almost in the center of the Boso Peninsula. Known as one of Japan’s 100 Best Rice Terraces, it is the closest rice terrace to Tokyo. If you’re planning a visit in October, don’t miss the colorful Light-up Festival!

Oyama Senmaida

Photo by: PIXTA/ daibass

Oyama Senmaida, surrounded by small villages and rural mountains, promises a picture-perfect Japanese landscape. This rice terrace mainly depends on rainwater for farming. It consists of almost 375 small rice paddies spread across the hillside. Each paddy is irregularly shaped, following the natural curves of the land. In spring, the terraces shine with water, reflecting the blue sky above. Summer brings lush, green rice plants that fill the fields. As autumn comes, the rice stalks turn golden, and the red spider lilies bloom. Each season offers fantastic photography opportunities, so bring your camera!

Harvest Festivals at Oyama Senmaida

Photo by: PIXTA/ とん之助

September is a special time at Oyama Senmaida because it’s the month of the Harvest Festival. Farmers and volunteers come together to cut and bundle golden rice stalks, making it a hands-on experience for everyone.

During the festival, everyone wears traditional work clothes and enjoys live music from local artists playing taiko drums and flutes. The festival not only highlights the rice harvest but also invites visitors to enjoy local dishes such as fried sweet potatoes and miso soup made with fresh vegetables.

From late October to early January, the Oyama Senmaida Rice Terraces host the Light-up event. This event features beautiful lights on the rice terraces. During this time, the rice paddies are illuminated with 10,000 LED lights, transforming the terraces into a magical landscape. The festival features beautiful illuminations in a variety of colors—orange, blue, green, and purple—that change every 15 minutes. As you wander through the illuminated fields, you’ll be mesmerized by the stunning views of the rice fields under a starry sky.

Experiences and Activities

The rice planting experience allows children to discover how rice grows, turning textbook knowledge into hands-on learning in the paddies. The farming experience introduces various crops like soybeans, cotton and indigo, making it a fun way to explore agricultural traditions. The rice terraces nature observation activity is perfect for curious youngsters, as they can see interesting creatures, especially the fascinating frogs that live in the area. The indigo dyeing experience offers a creative touch as you dye unique handkerchiefs using indigo leaves from the terraces, creating a one-of-a-kind souvenir.