sangimi no yado

Autumn has come to the terraced rice paddies!

As the season changes from summer to autumn, the ears of rice droop in early autumn.
In Asuka Village, this is the season when ears of rice are harvested and higanbana (cluster amaryllis) blooms along the rice paddies.
In the terraced rice fields of the Inabuchi district, a “Kakashi (scarecrow) contest” is usually held in September as part of village revitalization efforts.
On weekends in mid to late September, when the cluster amaryllis are in full bloom, the “Higanbana Festival” is held.
Here we introduce an autumn festival where visitors can enjoy a pleasant time in the satoyama while gazing at ears of rice swaying in the wind and unique handmade scarecrows.

“Kakashi Contest” and “Higanbana Festival”

Kakashi Contest

This contest is one of the initiatives mainly organized by “people who grew up in Asuka” and “people who love Asuka” with the aim of preserving and passing on the rice and rural landscape of Asuka Village and the scenery of the Inabuchi terraced rice fields to the next generation.
The contest began in 1995, when the Inabuchi terraced rice field in Asuka Village introduced the terraced rice field owner system, and has continued for more than 20 years.
Scarecrows made according to a theme decided each year are displayed on the “Kakashi Road” from September.
The “Higanbana Festival” (see below) is the voting period, during which visitors vote for their favorite scarecrow.

Higanbana Festival

Every year in mid to late September, red, white, and yellow cluster amaryllis bloom along the shores of the Inabuchi terraced rice paddies and are in full bloom.
On weekends during this period, the “Higanbana Festival” is held in the Inabuchi terraced rice paddies.
During the period of the “Higanbana Festival” in 2022, the number of plants in the Inabuchi terraced rice fields seemed a little smaller than in the central part of the village, but some parts of the fields were in beautiful bloom.

Temporary shuttle bus service is available.

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• During the “Higanbana Festival”, a free shuttle bus will run from Asuka Station or Ishibutai Kofun to and from the Inabuchi terraced rice fields.
  The buses will make the rounds approximately every 15 to 30 minutes.
  The Inabuchi terraced rice paddies are built along the natural terrain on the mountain slopes.
  The shuttle bus makes for an easy outing.
  If you do not use the shuttle bus, please walk or ride a bicycle.

Location of Inabuchi Terraces

“Kakashi Contest” works in 2022

The theme for 2022 is “World Peace”.

In the contest, scarecrows are created according to a theme determined each year, such as “a scarecrow that looks good with a mask,” “bonding,” “a scarecrow that makes you smile,” etc. The theme for the 27th contest in 2022 was “World Peace.
The theme for the 27th Kakashi contest in 2022 was “World Peace”.

• A scarecrow with a wonderful smile stood at the beginning of Kakashi Road.
• Honorable Mention Award winner in 2022.
• The characters in “Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi” have gimmicks built into them.

• Cute Jizo made of bamboo.
• Works with fabrics and yarns, ready-made clothes and natural branches.
• One of the 2022 Excellence Award works.

• Scarecrows made by local police, corporations, and stores are also available.
• A farmer releases a white dove into the sky. The dynamism of the white dove is wonderful.
• The work was selected for the 2022 Grand Prize. Children from all over the world in a chorus around a Ukrainian girl.

2022 “Higanbana Festival” will be held on 24th and 25th.

What is Inabuchi Terraced Rice Field?

• Inabuchi Terraced Rice Paddies, selected as one of the 100 best terraced rice paddies in Japan, were cultivated in medieval Japan…Heian to Muromachi periods, and are formed by about 300 rice paddies and fields.
  Inabuchi terraced rice fields were designated as an important cultural landscape in 2011.
  In spring, rape blossoms bloom; in early summer, before and after rice planting, the water in the paddies creates a fantastic landscape reflecting the surrounding scenery; and in autumn, the contrast between ears of rice and higanbana (cluster amaryllis) is beautiful in the satoyama.
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• Not only red but also white and yellow cluster amaryllis are blooming in the Inabuchi terraced rice paddies. You can also see them planted in the Ishibutai area of the National Asuka Historical Park.

Terraced rice paddies during the “Higanbana Festival”.

• Sun, Sept. 25, 2022, during the Higanbana Festival.
• The tent on the left side of the photo is a store set up for the higanbana festival.
• There seemed to be few higanbana plants, but some were blooming well.

Asuka Village’s specialty products for sale, food court and kitchen cars.

• Inabuchi Asakaze Pass Plaza, the main venue. A tent sold snacks such as yakisoba, shaved ice, konjak skewers, and baked rice cakes, as well as Asuka Village specialties and local vegetables and fruits.
  Another tent was set up with chairs and garbage bags, creating a food court.
  Stage events such as live bands and Manyo recitations were also held during the two-day event.
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• This is a salted Omusubi made from new Kinuhikari rice, which was sold at the tent. The rice is chunky and perfect for Omusubi. We enjoyed it sitting on chairs in the food court overlooking the terraced rice paddies.

A view of the center of Asuka Village.

In Asuka Village, not only the Inabuchi terraced rice paddies, but also many rice paddies in the center of the village, and around Tachibana-dera Temple and Asuka-dera Temple, many cluster amaryllis were in bloom.
Many people were enjoying sightseeing by bicycle or on foot, with their cameras ready to take pictures as they strolled through the village.

• The north side of Tachibana Temple is a popular spot for photographers.
• The area around Asuka-dera Temple is filled with rice paddies.
• There are well-maintained paths between rice paddies, perfect for strolling.

“Asuka Hikari no Kairo” will be held on 23rd and 24th.

A night of fantastic lights in Asuka Village

The “Asuka Hikari no Kairo” is a popular event that has been held since 2003 in Asuka Village, Takaichi-gun, Nara Prefecture.
It is held over two days on a weekend in September every year.
Major historical sites, temples, shrines, and facilities in the village, such as Ishibutai Kofun and Oka-dera Temple, are lit up and the surrounding area is illuminated by approximately 20,000 candles.

• The Chozuya (purification fountain) at Oka-dera Temple. Popular for lighting up with colorful marbles.
• This is an activity to view Asuka at night from the sky in a hot-air balloon.

ACCESS

Please use “Asuka no yado” for your excursion to Asuka Village.
The hotel is located in easy access to the “Asuka Hikari no Kairo” and “Higanbana Festival” sites, not to mention sightseeing.
You can come and go as you please between check-in (15:00) and check-out (11:00).
We also provide a small flashlight to illuminate your feet as you walk through Asuka Village at night.
Please be careful when walking around Asuka Village after dark, as there are many places in the village where it is dark and difficult to see your footsteps even during the event hours.
 

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