Unique Management Produces Beautiful Terraced Paddies and Ponds

In Yamakoshi, many terraced paddies were converted to terraced ponds for raising Nishikigoi. This mountainous region with its terraced paddies and ponds is a nostalgic landscape unlike any other in japan. In the early snows, the ponds are snowless spots dotting the white canvas of the land. During the months of deep snow, the edges of the tall ridges of snow surrounding the ponds accentuate the snowy landscape, which amazes all who come to see this panoramic view.
Regular maintenance including the cutting back of vegetation around the paddies and ponds is necessary to insure that the slopes get plenty of sunshine. These kinds of efforts are a unique feature of Yamakoshi that helps to maintain biodiversity and the various functions of the biosphere, as well as to protect endangered species. The preservation of rare species and human activity in the area are coincidentally intertwined.