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Jun 01 2011 9 Comments

The wonderful sight of rice planting in western Tokyo

Quite why I don’t know, but there’s always something rather wonderful and relaxing about watching rice being planted in the capital’s western outskirts. A sight that, even with the use of modern technology, somehow still has a timeless appeal about it.

Tokyo rice fields

Although while watching may well be unwinding, actually doing the deed must be bloody hard work.

Tokyo rice fields

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. nausje says

    6/1/2011 at 8:18 pm

    Great pics!

    I was in the Tokyo area in April and some people were already planting rice back then. Isn’t it a bit late to be planting at the end of May? I have no idea of course, as we don’t grow our own rice here in the Netherlands. 😉

    I found it interesting though to see that they use every bit of spare soil to grow something on it. No waste of space!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/1/2011 at 8:57 pm

      Thanks!

      Don’t know to be honest. Over the last week I’ve seen a few fields been planted, and others being prepared, but whether planting times can differ I have no idea.

      Yes, there’s very little waster of space. So much so, there’s often no space!

      Reply
  2. NihonBurp says

    6/1/2011 at 10:34 pm

    Another nice photo capturing part of Japan’s heritage, last time I saw some old people working in your photos I thought it was nice that the older generation wasn’t overlooked in Japan. But I wonder, are young people not interested in farming and the ‘traditional’ practices of Japan? I know over in the UK farming is becoming harder and harder, and many who come from a farmer background have now turned their back on their craft.

    Reply
    • Jeffrey says

      6/7/2011 at 1:34 am

      “But I wonder, are young people not interested in farming and the ‘traditional’ practices of Japan?”

      Not interested now for nearly thirty years now. Not quite in the same category as construction work, but definitely a “3 K” job.

      “The term “3K” stands for kitsui (difficult), kitanai (dirty) and kiken (dangerous). The term came into vogue around 1990, when foreign workers from the Third World found themselves in great demand at construction sites and factories during the go-go days of the bubble economy while Japanese workers showed an increasing preference for white-collar jobs. ”

      http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/EK21Dh01.html

      Reply
  3. Jeffrey says

    6/2/2011 at 2:21 am

    I agree Lee. I love looking at rice paddy. However, watching how it’s done in Japan (and most of Asia) you understand why the UN still categorizes most Japanese agriculture as “intensive gardening.”

    Reply
  4. S in Shanghai says

    6/6/2011 at 6:41 pm

    Not the latest iPhone controlled gadget that machine, is it?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/6/2011 at 9:38 pm

      Think it’ll be a good while before there’s an app for that!

      Reply
  5. Kiri says

    6/10/2011 at 8:27 am

    Someday lets visit my dads hometown Lee! Its a small village in vietnam which is concentraiting mainly in planting-producting rice. No machines, just hardworking women in strawy hats and buffalos

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/10/2011 at 5:26 pm

      Sounds wonderful!

      Reply

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