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

Shwedagon Impressions

Myanmar

Robert George

Every year on November 15, Japan celebrates Shichi-Go-San--Children's Day. Dressed in their very finest garments, girls and boys aged three, boys aged five, and girls aged seven, go with their families to nearby shrines, where they line up, sometimes for hours, to await their turn to be blessed by the presiding priest. After the blessing, the child is presented with a gift of long sticks of candy called chitose-ame, "thousand year sweets," wrapped in ornate bags decorated with cranes and turtles, both symbols of longevity.

Japan

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

More Japan Stories

Seijin Hi: Coming of Age Day in Japan

Japan

Frank Lev

Hadaka Matsuri Getting Naked...In Japan...In January

Japan

Celeste Heiter

Goldfish Go Home

Strangers in Strange Lands at Cinequest 2013

Japan / Vietnam / India

Celeste Heiter

Cherry Blossoms

Film Review: Cherry Blossoms

Japan

Celeste Heiter

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