During the Golden Week holidays, my family and I visited the countryside of Japan (Uonuma, Niigata), where my mom and sister’s family live. Uonuma is famous for producing the best rice in Japan. Koshihikari rice from Uonuma is the most expensive rice you can buy in Japan. It is expensive, but it’s so good!!

When we visit my mom’s place, we get to run this beautiful jogging course along the Uono River.

It’s May, but there is still some snow on the ground!

In front of us is the famous Hakkaisan Mountain, on our left is the abundant Uono River, and on our right is the wide open, well prepared rice paddies, ready for planting in a few weeks.

The abundance of water from the mountain and the river, the clean crisp air, and the fertile land, all of these are the secrets of producing the delicious rice. If you visit there, you can understand why the rice tastes so good!

By the way, these beautiful photos were taken by my sister. If you want to see more of the country/nature photos of Japan, please visit her blog here. You’ll want to visit my favorite places when you see her photos!

追記：

豪雪地帯としても知られる魚沼地方。この冬の雪があるからこそ、おいしいお米ができるのです。厳しい冬を越えた春の魚沼を訪ねるのが好きです。まだ雪の残る山々を眺めながら走ると勇気が湧いてきます。淡いピンクの桜並木や、黄色い水仙の通りが応援してくれるので、どこまでも走り続けられるような錯覚に陥ります。山歩きをすれば吹き出した木の芽やカタクリの紫の原が、春の訪れを喜び歌っているようです。

草も花も水も山も、そして私も、目には見えないけれど大きな大きな「なにか」から、溢れるような生きる力をもらっている、そういう思いへと招いてくれる、春の魚沼が大好きです。

写真は姉が提供してくれました。姉のブログもぜひお訪ねください！

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