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YUJournal

On this page, we will post everything interesting, beautiful, cool, exciting, yummy and fun we found around Lake Biwa!



Terraced rice fields in Ogi

The memorial first post is about terraced rice fields around Ogi!

Ogi is a farming village nestled on the eastern skirts of Mt. Hiei. Around the small residential area, numerous terraces of rice paddies spread across hills and valleys which look over Lake Biwa far below.

Terraced rice paddies waiting for planting

While these paddies are basically properties for local farmers’ livelihood, the peaceful landscape where nature and man achieve a harmonious relationship has constantly attracted hikers, photo lovers, amateur artists and any others who like the countryside. People enjoy walking along the sinuous footpaths, listening to the sound of small water channels, taking in flora & fauna and soaking up the idyllic ambience.

Lines of rice seedlings poking up out of the water

Rice-planting season having come, paddies are filled with the water from Mt Hiei. Newly-planted rice seedlings are swaying in the wind, and insects are buzzing from flower to flower. At evening, chorus of frog calls fills the air around the hills. An abundance of life is flourishing now here in Ogi.

By mid-summer, the entire area will have been covered with vivid green carpets of grown rice. Then they will turn into golden-yellow before harvest in autumn. We will occasionally post other faces of this beautiful place at different seasons.

Rice nursery in a water-logged paddy