Many tourists and photo enthusiasts visit the rice terraces in Misato Town. This is because there visitors can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the four seasons, like the setting sun reflecting off the surfaces of the flooded fields in the spring, the contrast of the blue sky against the rice plants’ green leaves during the summer, and the duet of golden ears of rice and red spider lilies in the fall.
The rice terrace in the Shimofukura district is one such example. In 2022, it earned recognition from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as a “TSUNAGU TANADA Heritage,” a certification given to outstanding rice terraces.
In addition to Shimofukura, the rice terraces in Kozaki, Shiraishino, and Natsumi are also Ministry-recognized. This gives Misato Town four regions that share the honor and places it in the top spot for number of certifications in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Some of Misato’s footpath courses pass by rice terraces along the way, so planning an excursion that includes a rice terrace viewing session and a footpath course is highly recommended.