My Journey as a Rice Farmer in Rural Japan

In 2025, I embarked on an enriching journey to rural Japan, spending several months with my wife's family on their rice farm in Shizuoka. This experience, though not culminating in the harvest, offered me profound insights into the intricate process of rice farming. The farm, primarily focused on rice, also nurtures a variety of crops like bamboo roots, mushrooms, and warabi, reflecting the diverse agricultural practices in the region.

## Preparing the Fields

As spring approached, we returned to fields left fallow over winter, covered in last year's dead rice plants. Armed with cordless strimmers, we cleared these fields, dug drainage ditches, and ploughed the soil to prepare for planting. This preparation was labor-intensive, involving clearing channels for water flow and erecting fences to protect crops from wild boar and deer.

## Water Management

Flooding the fields was a crucial step, ensuring the rice plants had the right conditions to thrive. We redirected river water into the fields, carefully managing its flow to prevent wastage and maintain environmental balance. Despite challenges like minor sinkholes, we ensured the fields were ready for planting.

## Planting and Protecting

Planting day was a culmination of our efforts, using a Rice Transplanter to efficiently sow the seeds. Manual adjustments were necessary to fill gaps and ensure even growth. To safeguard our crops, we installed electric fences, a simple yet effective deterrent against wildlife.

## The Local Ecosystem

The rice fields were teeming with life, from frogs and salamanders to snakes and black kites, each playing a role in the ecosystem. These interactions highlighted the delicate balance between farming and nature.

## Economic Challenges

During my stay, Japan faced a rice price crisis, underscoring the economic challenges of rice farming. The Gentan system, though abolished, still influences small-scale farming, limiting profitability and pushing many to part-time farming. Automation remains limited, contrasting sharply with larger, more efficient farms abroad.

## Reflections

Despite the economic hurdles, my time on the farm was rewarding. It strengthened family bonds, improved my Japanese, and offered a refreshing break from the corporate grind. The future of small farms in Japan is uncertain, but the hope is for a sustainable balance that allows rural communities to thrive.