Have you ever wondered what a 500-year-old secret looks like? Here at Ini Tanada, the secret is whispered on the wind rustling through the rice stalks. Ini Tanada isn’t just a collection of rice terraces. It’s a living tapestry woven from over 300 small rice paddies, cascading down the mountainside like a staircase to the heavens. Selected as one of Japan’s top 100 traditional rice terraces, Ini Tanada holds a special place in the heart of Hiroshima. Its beauty even caught the eye of CNN, earning it a spot on their list of Japan’s most beautiful places. The stone walls, some dating back 500 years, stand as silent witnesses to centuries of dedicated farming. Imagine the hands that placed those stones, the generations who have toiled this land. The pure mountain streams irrigate the paddies, nurturing the renowned Ini Rice, a delicacy sought after for its pristine origins. The scenery transforms with the seasons. Picture the vibrant green of summer, giving way to the golden hues of autumn. Even after harvest, a blanket of snow transforms Ini Tanada into a winter wonderland. The best time to visit, though, is arguably between late May and June. The paddies are flooded for planting, creating mesmerizing reflections that mirror the sky. The patterns formed by the stone walls and meticulously placed seedlings are truly a sight to behold. Ini Tanada is a testament to the enduring spirit of Japanese agriculture and a window into a disappearing rural Japan.
芸州廿日市御本陣旧跡
“A castle built on the plain?” you might ask. “Isn’t that a bit…exposed?” And indeed, the Hiroshima Gokoku Jinja, the