The Shiroyone Senmaida terraced rice fields in Ishikawa Prefecture facing the Sea of Japan is designated as a national scenic beauty.

About 80 percent of the paddies sustained damage such as cracks on the ground in the Noto Peninsula earthquake that struck central Japan on January 1.

Volunteers have been working on restoring the site and completed preparing 120 of the approximately 1,000 rice fields.

On May 11, about 50 people from various parts of Japan who are participating in supporting the Shiroyone Senmaida took part in a rice planting event.

S/ Participant from Osaka / After the quake, I wondered what would happen to this year's rice planting. I saw the news and decided to contribute to the support program.

S/ Representative of Shiroyone Senmaida support group / Almost all of the procedures are done manually, so we can't plant rice unless we have supporting members. I appreciate their help.

The support group plans to solicit local volunteers to take part in more rice planting sessions.