Country Life

by Robert George, Jan 2, 2003 | Destinations: Japan / Tokyo

Rural life in Gunma Prefecture moves at a much slower pace than the typical urban existence in Tokyo.

Rural life in Gunma Prefecture moves at a much slower pace than the typical urban existence in Tokyo.

Image © 2002 Robert George

Rural life in Gunma Prefecture moves at a much slower pace than the typical urban existence in Tokyo.

Rice is Japan's most important agricultural crop. And although only 15% of Japan's landmass is suitable for cultivation, 14 million acres are planted with rice, many of them postage-stamp sized family farms nestled in vacant lots between suburban buildings.

Rice is Japan's most important agricultural crop. And although only 15% of Japan's landmass is suitable for cultivation, 14 million acres are planted with rice, many of them postage-stamp sized family farms nestled in vacant lots between suburban buildings.

Rice is Japan's most important agricultural crop. And although only 15% of Japan's landmass is suitable for cultivation, 14 million acres are planted with rice, many of them postage-stamp sized family farms nestled in vacant lots between suburban buildings.

A story told with photos.

More From This Author

Preparing a field. Dalat, Vietnam.

Vietnam

Robert George

The Tokyo district of Rygoku is home of one of Japan's most famous Sumo wrestling facilities. Sumo wrestlers train very strenuously for their six annual basho tournaments, and must consume up to 10,000 calories a day to achieve and maintain their enormous stature. When they're not in training however, they can be seen strolling the city sidewalks wearing blue and white cotton robes called yukata.

Japan

Robert George

Perhaps the most anticipated and beloved celebration in Japan is the season known as Ohanami. The word translates as flower watching, and depending upon the weather in mid-spring, sometime during the month of April, the entire nation of Japan bursts into bloom with the ubiquitous sakura, the flowering cherry tree. The sakura create a frosty-pink canopy over city parks and country hillsides alike, and the people of Japan emerge after the long winter to rejoice in this ephemeral season. Beneath a canopy of blossoms, street vendors offer an array of traditional foods, including yakitori, skewers of savory grilled chicken.

The Taste of Japan

Japan

Robert George

Shwedagon Impressions

Myanmar

Robert George

More Japan Stories

20 things in Tokyo

Japan

Bebe

Sakurajima Volcano

Sakurajima Volvano

Japan

Jan Polatschek

Cinequest 2016 - Night Song

Love is in the Air at Cinequest 2016

Japan / China / India

Celeste Heiter

A view by the Miyagawa River in Hida Takayama, Japan (c) Sze-Leng Tan

Miyagawa, Takayama: A Morning By the Crystal River

Japan

Sze-Leng Tan

About ThingsAsian

ThingsAsian is an Asia travel website with stories contributed by a worldwide community. Although we cover a wide range of topics, our emphasis is on art, culture, history and travel. Our writers, photographers and contributors are real people who tell you the stories of their personal travels and experiences. Some of the countries we currently cover are Burma, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Email: info@thingsasian.com