Enchanting illuminated rice fields in Japan with mesmerizing LED lights against the sea.
Stunning illuminated rice terraces overlooking the sea in Japan.

Senmaida Rice Paddies in Shiroyone

Shiroyone Senmaida (白米の千枚田) has 1000 rice paddies in Shiroyone. Located on the Noto Peninsula, it’s beautiful at night, with the lights on.

So it’s winter here and apart from watching monkeys warming themselves at a certain onsen taken over by hordes of tourists, you don’t know what else to do. But it’s a chance to go out and find a more relaxed, calmer Japan, and quietly take in its beauty.

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A rainy day usually means a starless night. The conditions seem far from ideal for my next stop, terraced rice paddies, but as luck would have it a delicate rainbow has just emerged to remind me there is beauty in contrasts, not only in perfection.

asia, chubu, ishikawa, japan, japanese, natural, nature, ricefield, sunset

Here I am at Shiroyone Senmaida (One Thousand Rice Paddies in Shiroyone  – 白米の千枚田), on the Noto Peninsula, a place rather off the tourist trail. As the attractive town of Kanazawa is on the way, it's difficult to leave, and easier to let yourself be carried away by the range of delicious restaurants and the town's character! However, the Noto Peninsula is filled with secrets, and this is one of them.

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Yes, there are a thousand rice fields here, 1004 to be precise. They overlook the Sea of Japan and, all lit up at this time of year, are reflected once in the sky and once again on the water.

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Few people come here as it is, let alone think of strolling through the rice paddies. There's no doubt that it’s freezing cold, and the ocean being so close doesn’t help.

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In 2007, an earthquake centred on the small town of Wajima (lit up in the background of photo below) caused panic in the Noto Peninsula. Such seismic intensity is very rare and disturbing in this relatively calm zone, so the residents vowed to illuminate Senmaida from that moment on.

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Between the extremes of coldness and warmth, darkness and light, past and future, or the famous tradition and modernity, a highway seems to be taking shape here. One year is ending and I’m alive, we aren’t entirely digitized, and between the shades of grey there always emerges an incredible dimension of colours.

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The path traced out isn’t there to be followed but, on the contrary, to highlight its surroundings. Over to us to appreciate it.

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

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Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Concrete gray fortress Amidst the blue sea's embrace— Silent echoes speak. コンクリートの城 青い海の抱擁の中で— 静かな声が響く。 #Gunkanjima #HashimaIsland #BattleshipIsland #Nagasaki #Urbex #offbeatjapan #japan
Ancient coaster sleeps, Twilight whispers pinks and blues, Nature reclaims all. 崩れたコースターが眠る、 薄桃色と青の夜明けのささやき、 自然が全てを取り戻す。 #offbeatjapan #japan #abandonedplaces #rollercoaster #twilightbeauty #nostalgia #naturestriumph #forgottenamusement
Pink blossoms whisper, Quiet streets cradle old tales, Sky and mountains dream.桃の花囁く、 静かな道に古い物語を抱え、 空と山は夢見る。#cherryblossoms #japanesetradition #countrysidecharm #historicaljapan #sakura #offbeatjapan #japan
Dust veils whispered past, Ghostly echoes cradle dreams, Where silence presides.静寂の中で、 囁かれた夢は、 埃に包まれる。#offbeatjapan #japan #urbandecay #abandonedplaces #hauntingbeauty #forgottenworlds #silenthalls #explorejapan
Yellow noren glow, In a calm, verdant alley— Silent history.---黄色の暖簾、 静かな緑の小路に— 静寂の歴史。---#japanesehistory #traditionaljapan #serenealley #historicdistrict #japanesearchitecture #offbeatjapan #japan
Moss whispers secrets, Autumn leaves paint quiet dreams— Water sighs with light. 苔が秘密を囁く 秋の葉が静かな夢を描く 光とともに水がため息をつく #satoyama #woodlandwonder #serenejapan #waterfallmagic #naturepoetry #offbeatjapan #japan
Looped silhouette stands, Twilight's hues of purple blend, Echoes softly fade. ループの影 紫の黄昏が 静かに消える #offbeatjapan #japan #abandonedplaces #rollercoaster #hauntingbeauty #duskcolors #urbanexploration #abandonedthemepark
Warm wood touches sky, Lanterns whisper tales of old; Time stands still, we stroll. 時が止まり、 古の話を、 灯籠囁く。#offbeatjapan #japan #kyoto #kanazawa #traditionaltouch #culturalheritage #historicdistrict