Memory of the Earth

Modern art meets rice field

The "Memory of the Earth" outdoor art installation isn't a sculpture you just look at, but an artwork you can step into. Started in 2009, the piece centers on a circular rice field with sawtooth oaks planted to serve as natural drying racks. Over time, rice was cultivated using traditional and even natural farming methods, with rare varieties like Sasashigure and black rice grown here. The oaks now attract beetles and other wildlife, turning the space into a living ecosystem. It's part artwork, part farmland, and part community space, and I think it's worth stopping by if you're in the area. Google maps coordinates are 37°07'53.9"N 138°51'04.6"E.