Landscapes woven by people and nature

It's rice-planting time in the terraced fields of Toho Village, Fukuoka Prefecture. The Take area ― which covers 11 hectares and features about 400 paddies on steep slopes ― has been named one of Japan's 100 best-terraced rice fields. Some of the terraces are among the oldest in the nation, dating back to the Muromachi period (1338-1573).

As the local population ages, it is becoming increasingly difficult to cultivate the paddies built on steep slopes. But residents are doing their best to maintain the beautiful scenery.

With the rice fields having been blessed by rain from early spring this year, planting began in late May ― about a week earlier than usual.