#Japan #Tokyo #Photo Contest #Yamatane #Terraced Rice

Yamatane's Terraced Rice Field Photo Contest

Yamatane Corporation, based in Koto City, Tokyo, is excited to announce its inaugural "Terraced Rice Field Photo Contest," aimed at capturing the beauty and current status of Japan's terraced rice fields through photography. This initiative endeavors to raise awareness for the conservation of these fields, which are not only stunning in their aesthetics but also face significant challenges such as abandonment due to a lack of successors and the aging farming population.

The Importance of Terraced Rice Fields

Terraced rice fields have long been celebrated as a quintessential aspect of Japan’s rural landscape. Nestled in mountainous areas, these fields benefit from significant temperature variations between day and night, wherein rice cultivated here gains a unique sweetness and sticky texture, truly making it a culinary delicacy. Furthermore, terraced rice fields contribute beyond agriculture; they act as natural dams, temporarily storing rainwater and protecting downstream areas from flooding. They also play a crucial role in preserving diverse ecosystems that flourish within their surroundings.

However, terraced rice fields are facing an alarming crisis as many become abandoned due to a serious shortage of farmers and the growing elderly population. Yamatane has taken proactive steps towards conservation, engaging in ownership of a portion of rice terraces in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, which spans 2.5 hectares. This initiative allows stakeholders to participate in rice planting experiences, forging a deeper connection with the vital role these fields play in our environment.

As a corporation that has coexisted with rice cultivation for over a century, Yamatane is committed to promoting the appeal and current challenges of terraced rice fields through photography. The contest serves as a platform to generate attention towards the conservation efforts required to maintain these stunning landscapes and their surrounding ecosystems as part of Japan’s heritage.

Contest Overview

Theme

The contest welcomes submissions that depict Japan's terraced rice fields, the people involved in their cultivation, and the surrounding ecological environment.

Application Period

• - Start: August 1, 2025 (Friday) at noon
• - End: October 31, 2025 (Friday) at noon

Submission Guidelines

Participants can submit up to ten entries each.

Awards and Prizes

Judging Panel

• - Mitsuhiko Imamori (Photographer)
• - Yamatane Corporation

Announcement of Results

Results will be announced on December 19, 2025 (Friday) at noon, available on the Yamatane website, the GANREF site, and in Digital Camera magazine.

How to Enter

To participate, entries must be submitted through the designated application site. Application Site

For inquiries, please contact:
Yamatane Corporation, Management Planning Department
Phone: 03-3820-1116
Email: [email protected]

Join us in celebrating and preserving the cultural and ecological significance of Japan's terraced rice fields through your lens!