In Kumamoto, the cluster amaryllis blooming alongside the rice terraces in Yamaka City’s town of Kikuka reach their peak of stunning beauty in September every year. The golden crops of the rice terrace create a gorgeous contrast with the vivid red of the cluster amaryllis. This absolutely picturesque view attracts numerous visitors during the autumn season. Visiting the rice terrace is one of the best things to do if you are in Kumamoto at this time of year!
Summary
In Kumamoto, the cluster amaryllis blooming alongside the rice terraces in Yamaka City’s town of Kikuka reach their peak of stunning beauty in September every year. The golden crops of the rice terrace create a gorgeous contrast with the vivid red of the cluster amaryllis. This absolutely picturesque view attracts numerous visitors during the autumn season. Visiting the rice terrace is one of the best things to do if you are in Kumamoto at this time of year!
Peaceful Bansho District in Yamaga City, Kumamoto
via www.photo-ac.com
The Bansho rice terrace is located in the Bansho District of Kikuka Town in Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan’s Kyushu Island. It is a peaceful district with an idyllic scenery, recognizable for the rice terraces with their stone walls and farm houses. There used to be a guard house located in the district where guards would investigate passengers and their luggage. The name of the district “bansho” is believed to come from this old guard house, as“bansho” means a guard house in Japanese.
The Bansho District is located in the south of the Chikuhi mountain range, which lies on the border of Kumamoto Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture. Surrounded by 1,000-meter high mountains, people in the Bansho District had built stone walls and rice terraces by cutting through the woods in the steep valleys in the past. The Bansho District is a place where the good old atmosphere of rural farming and village lifestyle in Japan still remains.
The Bansho District is located in the south of the Chikuhi mountain range, which lies on the border of Kumamoto Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture. Surrounded by 1,000-meter high mountains, people in the Bansho District had built stone walls and rice terraces by cutting through the woods in the steep valleys in the past. The Bansho District is a place where the good old atmosphere of rural farming and village lifestyle in Japan still remains.
Bansho Rice Terrace: Beautiful Cluster Amaryllis in Autumn
Rice terrace dating back over 300 years
What the Bansho rice terrace is widely known for are its beautiful cluster amaryllis, which come into bloom around the middle of September every year. The cluster amaryllis alongside the rice terraces decorate the rice fields as if they were framing a painting. The Bansho rice terrace is said to have been created sometime in the 18 century or 19 century, and holds around 200 rice fields lying in a range of approximately 0-80 meters elevation!
What the Bansho rice terrace is widely known for are its beautiful cluster amaryllis, which come into bloom around the middle of September every year. The cluster amaryllis alongside the rice terraces decorate the rice fields as if they were framing a painting. The Bansho rice terrace is said to have been created sometime in the 18 century or 19 century, and holds around 200 rice fields lying in a range of approximately 0-80 meters elevation!
Careful management by the locals
Due to its idyllic yet beautiful landscape, the Bansho rice terrace was selected as one of the 100 greatest rice terraces in Japan in 1999 by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Local people make great efforts to maintain the beauty of the rice terrace. For example, when it’s time to replace old stones in the stone walls, similar-looking locally sourced stones are used to maintain the appearance. Also, when people repair their houses, they try to match the color of their roofs and outer walls to that of the surrounding environment to prevent any disturbance to the landscape. The Bansho rice terrace is not just aesthetically pleasing to its residents and visitors alike, it is also source of delicious Japanese rice.
Due to its idyllic yet beautiful landscape, the Bansho rice terrace was selected as one of the 100 greatest rice terraces in Japan in 1999 by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Local people make great efforts to maintain the beauty of the rice terrace. For example, when it’s time to replace old stones in the stone walls, similar-looking locally sourced stones are used to maintain the appearance. Also, when people repair their houses, they try to match the color of their roofs and outer walls to that of the surrounding environment to prevent any disturbance to the landscape. The Bansho rice terrace is not just aesthetically pleasing to its residents and visitors alike, it is also source of delicious Japanese rice.
Why cluster amaryllis?
There are a few possible reasons why these cluster amaryllis are planted by the rice fields; some say it is because roots of amaryllis fix the soil around them, or that their poisonous bulbs keep moles and mice from eating the roots of the rice plants. Another possible reason is believed to be that the poisonous bulbs become a nutritious food once the poison is removed, and people ate them when there was a poor harvest. In any case, the cluster amaryllis clearly served a purpose to the people who lived there, and were not just to create a pretty image.
There are a few possible reasons why these cluster amaryllis are planted by the rice fields; some say it is because roots of amaryllis fix the soil around them, or that their poisonous bulbs keep moles and mice from eating the roots of the rice plants. Another possible reason is believed to be that the poisonous bulbs become a nutritious food once the poison is removed, and people ate them when there was a poor harvest. In any case, the cluster amaryllis clearly served a purpose to the people who lived there, and were not just to create a pretty image.
Photogenic at any time of the day
You can visit the Bansho rice terrace any time of the day and never miss out on the sights. If you go there quite early in the morning, you will find the rice terrace shrouded in the morning mist. During the day, you can take beautiful pictures of cluster amaryllis with the blue sky in the background. The contrast of golden crops waiting for harvest and the bright red of the amaryllis will definitely take your breath away! In the evening, the sunset will paint the rice terrace in the amazing colors of sunset. Plan your trip according to what time of the day you want to see this spectacular landscape!
You can visit the Bansho rice terrace any time of the day and never miss out on the sights. If you go there quite early in the morning, you will find the rice terrace shrouded in the morning mist. During the day, you can take beautiful pictures of cluster amaryllis with the blue sky in the background. The contrast of golden crops waiting for harvest and the bright red of the amaryllis will definitely take your breath away! In the evening, the sunset will paint the rice terrace in the amazing colors of sunset. Plan your trip according to what time of the day you want to see this spectacular landscape!
Explore Nearby: Eat, Play and Shop at Anzu no Oka (Apricot Hill)
via cxc-kumamoto.com
Anzu no Oka or Apricot Hill in English, is a vast park with a big play ground, BBQ area, restaurants, shops and cultural facilities. It is located about 15-minute drive away from the Bansho rice terrace, so you can spend a relaxing time here after enjoying the landscape of the rice terraces.
It is especially perfect if you have children, as there is a big play ground with a lot of fun equipment. One of the highlights is the huge grass slope where you can ride on a sledge.
Afterwards you can go to the restaurant which serves amazing local wagyu beef and local vegetables to fill your big appetite!
It is especially perfect if you have children, as there is a big play ground with a lot of fun equipment. One of the highlights is the huge grass slope where you can ride on a sledge.
Afterwards you can go to the restaurant which serves amazing local wagyu beef and local vegetables to fill your big appetite!
via cxc-kumamoto.com
If you fancy eating outside, there is a BBQ area with 12 tables where you can rent a table for 1,500 yen. The park will provide you with the BBQ grill and tongs for charcoal. All you need to bring is your own food, drinks and charcoal! If you want to try Kikuka Town’s local produce, you can buy fresh locally grown vegetables and fruits at the farm shop located in the parking area. It feels good to eat locally grown fresh food in the open air, enjoying the peaceful view of the mountains surrounding the town.
How to Visit?
From Tokyo to Kumamoto
You can take an airplane from either Narita or Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Kumamoto Airport. The journey takes around 90 minutes to 120 minutes.
You can take an airplane from either Narita or Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Kumamoto Airport. The journey takes around 90 minutes to 120 minutes.
Bansho Rice Terrace
By drive
Take an exit at Kikusui Interchange on Kyushu Expressway. It is about a 40-minute drive from there to the Bansho rice terrace.
There are only a few parking spots near the rice terrace, so please make sure that your car does not block anyone’s way when you park on the road.
Address: 752 Kikukamachi Yatani, Yamaga-shi, Kumamoto-ken 861-0413 Japan
Tel: +81 968-48-3111
By drive
Take an exit at Kikusui Interchange on Kyushu Expressway. It is about a 40-minute drive from there to the Bansho rice terrace.
There are only a few parking spots near the rice terrace, so please make sure that your car does not block anyone’s way when you park on the road.
Address: 752 Kikukamachi Yatani, Yamaga-shi, Kumamoto-ken 861-0413 Japan
Tel: +81 968-48-3111
Anzu no Oka (Apricot Hill)
There are around 200 parking spaces free of charge.
By drive
From Bansho Rice Terrace: About a 15-minute drive
From Kumamoto City: About a 60-minute drive on the Route 3.
Address: 733 Kikukamachi Shimouchida, Yamaga-shi, Kumamoto-ken 861-0406 Japan
Tel: +81 968-48-3100
There are around 200 parking spaces free of charge.
By drive
From Bansho Rice Terrace: About a 15-minute drive
From Kumamoto City: About a 60-minute drive on the Route 3.
Address: 733 Kikukamachi Shimouchida, Yamaga-shi, Kumamoto-ken 861-0406 Japan
Tel: +81 968-48-3100
