September marks one of the busiest times of year in the rice fields around Hakuba.
After months of growing through the long summer days, the rice is ready to be harvested. Across the valley, the golden fields begin to disappear as farmers bring in this year’s crop.
The sound of machinery carries across the villages, and roads that were surrounded by green in summer are now lined with golden fields and freshly cut rice.
It’s a reminder that Hakuba is more than just mountains.
The valley has a long agricultural history, and rice farming is still an important part of everyday life here.
For a few weeks each year, the landscape changes completely from deep summer green to warm autumn gold.
So if you’re visiting Hakuba in September, take a moment to look beyond the mountains.
Sometimes, the most beautiful part of the valley is right beside the road.
