About the NPO
Oyama Senmaida is known for being the rice terrace closest to Tokyo, and together with the surrounding mountains and nature, it forms a wonderful landscape.
In 1999, it was selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Rice Terraces, and in 2002 it was designated as a scenic spot by Chiba Prefecture. It has received numerous honors and awards including the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Award in November 2021.
WHAT IS OYAMA SENMAIDA?
Oyama Senmaida’s terraced rice fields have been cultivated for over 800 years in the satoyama tradition. Satoyama is a carefully managed ecosystem of farms, forests, and people.
As farmers retire with younger generations living in the cities, farms are abandoned and traditional knowledge fades away.
Cultivated fields and curated forests of the satoyama fall apart when no one tends them. Fallow fields quickly deteriorate as irrigation breaks down, bamboo encroaches, and embankments collapse.
By organising programs for city dwellers to join rural activities – terrace ownership systems, farming trusts, and nature study programs – NPO Oyama Senmaida Rice Terrace Preservation Society helps to preserve local knowledge for the next generations and to keep the land robust and healthy.
Not only do our urban visitors participate in hands-on activities, but our local farmers share their deep experience and earn a living with the daily work of maintaining and farming the terraces as a team.
HISTORY OF OYAMA SENMAIDA
The Oyama Senmaida Preservation Society was formed in 1997 by landowners and supporters of Oyama Senmaida. In March 2000, the Oyama Senmaida Rice Terrace Owner System was launched, which is the main focus of the group’s activities.
This program, aimed at promoting exchange between urban and rural areas, received a great response from the moment it was launched, with 39 rice terrace owners cultivating rice in the first year. In 2024, over 150 groups participated in rice terrace ownership.
In addition, the Kamogawa City Hilly and Mountainous Area Revitalization Council was formed, and in 2004 an ownership system was started for rice terraces in other areas dotted around Kamogawa City. Rice cultivation programs were also developed in Nagasa and Soro districts, making use of the characteristics and environment of each region.
ABOUT THE NPO
- Board of Directors: 3 officers & 14 directors
- Full time Staff: 3
- Regular Members: 87
- Supporting Members: 267
- Organizational members: 3
- Program Participants: ~5000
Activities are funded through a combination of NPO memberships, program participation fees, rice sales, subsidies & grants, donations, and through a partnership with Kamogawa City.