Tashibu-no-sho

Hi Everyone!

October is now upon us, which means the harvest of rice in Oita is underway. Rice has been an important
commodity of Japan for nearly 2,500 years, so it is no surprise that it is a staple of nearly every Japanese meal.

One of the most important places in Oita to recognize the cultural significance of rice is Tashibu-no-sho, a vast
area of terraced rice paddies which has changed little in the past 800 years. A vista point on the hillside where
visitors can park and enjoy the breathtaking sight of the verdant green or sometimes golden fields of rice
glimmering in the warm sun is a favorite for both locals and tourists alike.

Tashibu-no-sho once belonged to nearby Usa Jingu Shrine, where annual offerings of rice were made to the
Shinto gods as thanks for the bountiful harvest. Today, traditions such as the Otaue Festival are still maintained, where each June, visitors are invited to participate in the planting of the rice. Because the area has been frozen
in time for centuries, it is also a wonderful place to discover the lifestyles, culture, and traditions of the Japanese who lived in this area in days long past. Few places like Tashibu-no-sho remain in Japan, so the authorities have sought to protect it by recognizing it as a World Agricultural Heritage site, a designation it shares with the rest of Oita’s Kunisaki Peninsula.

The harvest season is a time for optimism, and we are looking forward to the day when international travel to
Japan returns to normal and we are able to welcome visitors to important sites of our cultural heritage like
Tashibu-no-sho. Until then, please stay safe and know that we are waiting for you to visit us here in Oita.