A Must-See World Heritage Site: Japan’s Shoreline Terraced Rice Fields Lit Up in a Spectacular Light Display

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department
 
From October each year to March of the following year, the vast seaside terraced rice fields in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, are illuminated with tiny lights as part of the annual light festival “Hoshi no Sakauchi” (Light of the Terraces). The colors change at intervals, shifting from pink to gold, creating a dreamy scene reminiscent of a fairy tale.

The terraced rice fields in Shirayone, Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, are known as “Shirayone Senmaida,” covering a total area of about 3.8 hectares and consisting of 1,004 small and large terraces. Their coastal location not only offers stunning views of the deep blue Sea of Japan but also presents a magical and breathtaking sight when the setting sun paints the terraces red. Recognized as one of Japan’s “100 Best Terraced Rice Fields” and further designated as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) site in June 2011, this enduringly beautiful landscape has become a popular destination among international tourists in recent years.

During the “Hoshi no Sakauchi” light festival, up to 21,000 solar-powered LED neon lights are arranged across the vast terraced fields. Each night, visitors can enjoy the dazzling neon glow, and after sunset, the lights change color every 30 minutes. The pink hues transform into yellow in an instant, creating a truly dreamlike ambiance. This spectacle is often praised as one of the must-see world heritage-level scenic wonders.