Maruyama Senmaida Rice Terraces

The Maruyama Senmaida rice terraces are a magnificent natural work of art spread deep in the mountains of Kumano. As many as 1,340 paddy fields separated by ancient stone piles called "Nozura-zumi" form a graceful curve on the mountain surface. It is a moving sight to see the ears of rice planted by hand fluttering in the paddies that have been cleared by hand one by one. The moon reflected in the paddy fields, the terraced rice paddies covered with snow, and other scenery that varies depending on the season and time of day will touch the heart of every traveler.

Iseji, Kumano Kodo

The Kumano Kodo is a pilgrimage route to Kumano, which has flourished since the Middle Ages as the largest sacred site in Japan. Among them, the "Iseji" is a 170-km pilgrimage route connecting Ise Shrine and Kumano Sanzan (three shrines of Kumano), which was crowded with ordinary people in the Edo period (1603-1868). In recent years, walking courses along the path, which still retains the beautiful stone pavement and scenic coastline, have become popular.