Sodeji Rice Terraces

Overview

Sodeji's rice terraces are a place steeped in history and culture, having supported the lives of the local people for generations. Their origins can be traced back to the Ōei period (1394-1427) of the Muromachi period. Records indicate that around 20 households resided in the area at that time, making their living from agriculture. After World War II, Sodeji shipped about 400 koku of rice annually. However, starting in the 1950s, due to declining fishing yields, some people shifted from fishing to the textile industry, which boomed in the 1960s. As more textile businesses emerged, farming families also transitioned, leaving mainly elderly people involved in agriculture. In 21st-century Sodeji, depopulation and the aging farming population led to an increase in abandoned paddies and damage from wild animals such as Japanese macaques and wild boars. Production has only been sustained through collaborative efforts, including the use of the Direct Payment System for mountainous areas to maintain protective fences and electric fences. In response to these challenges, the Sodeji Rice Terrace Preservation Society was formed. Since 2010, they've launched a "Rice Terrace Regeneration Project," managing some of the abandoned terraces, and hosting dozens of volunteers for planting and harvesting. Initially, they cultivated glutinous rice, with residents, local companies, university students, and members of the Green Homeland Support Corps collaborating throughout the planting, harvesting, and harvest festival. In 2015, an agreement was signed with Kyoto Co-op as a "Prefectural Model Farm," providing support for tasks made difficult by the aging farming population; the harvested rice was sold as "Sodeji Rice Terrace Rice." Sodeji's rice terraces are more than just a scenic resource; they are a vital part of the local community's life and culture. We hope this beautiful landscape will continue to be passed down to future generations.