[01] Tanada House (Takashima City) / A Tranquil Retreat in a Tanada Village

A Tranquil Retreat in a Tanada Village

Stay in Hata, with Japan’s Beautiful Terraced Rice Fields

Tanada House (Takashima City)

Keywords: nature / history & tradition / local food

Season: All year

English Assistance: minimum or partial

Terraced rice fields, or tanada, are tiered landscapes that gracefully follow the contours of mountains and hills. Predominantly found in regions with rugged terrain, these fields have long been a trademark of Japanese agriculture, particularly in mountainous areas.

 

Beyond their vital role in agriculture, tanada fields shape breathtaking rural landscapes and help preserve local traditions and culture. However, maintaining these fields is becoming increasingly challenging due to the difficulty of farming on steep slopes, an aging population, and a declining number of farmers. Despite these hurdles, the ecological value and beauty of tanada are increasingly recognized as irreplaceable treasures of Japan’s rural heritage, cherished by locals and visitors alike.

In Shiga Prefecture, tanada can be seen in various locations, especially along the western shore of Lake Biwa. Here, the mountains rise close to the lake, limiting the availability of flat farmland and leading to centuries of agricultural ingenuity on the slopes.

 

One such tanada district on the western shore of Lake Biwa is Hata village in Takashima City. Tucked away in this quiet community, is a small inn that offers a unique retreat. Operated by a couple who were captivated by the surrounding nature, the inn welcomes visitors to experience the serene rural charm of Shiga while appreciating the local agricultural legacy, which locals are working to preserve.

Located about 10 kilometers inland from JR Omi-Takashima Station, a winding road leads westward into the mountains, revealing the picturesque satoyama landscape, where villages and nature coexist, blending farmland, forests, and wildlife. Following this path, you’ll arrive at the secluded village of Hata.

At the foot of the Hira Mountains along the western shore of Lake Biwa, Hata is known for its stunning tanada fields, recognized as one of Japan’s Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields. The conspicuous absence of vending machines and modern conveniences leaves just the vast tanada fields, cascading down the 400-meter slopes, occasionally dotted with the farmhouses of this charming village.

 

Among these houses is the accommodation we’re introducing today, Tanada House. A short walk from the bus stop brings you to the farmhouse inn, where the cheerful owner, Masako Hashimoto, greets guests with warm, genuine hospitality. The inn is available for one group per day, offering the entire farmhouse for private use. Hashimoto-san lives nearby, ensuring she’s always available if needed.

The interior, adorned with retro Showa-era furnishings, creates a warm and nostalgic atmosphere—many guests say it feels like visiting their grandmother’s house. The restored 80-year-old traditional farmhouse was once home to a forester’s family, before Hashimoto-san and her husband renovated it themselves.

Staying here offers simple yet unforgettable experiences. The meals are a particular delight, featuring rice grown here and cooked in a traditional kamado stove. Fresh mountain vegetables, local produce, and freshwater fish and shrimp from Lake Biwa round out the meals, along with homemade fermented foods like miso and pickles. These dishes highlight the deep roots of fermentation here, and offer a wonderful taste of the region’s culinary identity.

There are three key elements to the exceptional flavor of the rice from the tanada fields: the mountainous landscape, pure water, and traditional methods. The dramatic temperature shifts from day to night help the rice mature slowly, while the mineral-rich mountain spring water enhances its quality. The steep slopes also prevent the use of large machinery, so manual farming methods remain instead. Enjoying this rice here where it is grown, and cooked with the same spring water, is a rare treasure to experience.

Hashimoto-san is a fermentation master, committed to the ancient local techniques. She prepares homemade miso paste, pickles, and more using locally sourced ingredients. The ideal environment and resources of Shiga have nurtured a history of fermentation, and Hashimoto-san goes as far as producing her own koji mold each year—an essential in many Japanese fermented foods—demonstrating her dedication to these traditions. She also makes funazushi, a regional fermented fish delicacy that is rarely made at home these days. While the meals at her inn may not be extravagant, they are intimately connected to the environment as well as traditional Shiga cuisine, offering a simple yet exquisite experience.

Here, it’s not just about enjoying the food—you can also take part in workshops to experience it firsthand. Depending on the season, activities offered to guests may include cooking rice in the kamado stove, miso-making, and preparing seasonal dishes, as well as farming workshops like rice harvesting. Recently, a group of eight international guests enjoyed making rice balls as part of the kamado cooking experience.

The rich natural environment is another draw for visitors. The tanada fields support a diverse ecosystem, home to various rare and endangered species, that you may encounter if you’re lucky, such as the blue bee, akashobin ruddy kingfisher, and kajika frog. Take a peaceful walk while soaking in this beautiful natural environment. In the early morning, the sunrise paints the landscape in soft hues, while in the evenings, the view becomes even more serene. In summer, the twinkling of fireflies creates an enchanting nighttime atmosphere. It’s an opportunity to step away from the everyday grind to embrace a calm that you’ll only find here.

The landscapes and rich ecosystems of tanada are gradually disappearing across Japan, which has led to various conservation and safeguarding initiatives. In Shiga, activities like the Tanada Trust program and various volunteer efforts have been established to maintain select tanada areas, such as Hata, where local residents lead a preservation society dedicated to the upkeep of these terraces. Hata is particularly known for its early adoption of training programs and the Tanada Owner System, making it a model for conservation efforts.

 

The village is home to about 40 households, but like many rural areas, it faces the challenges of an aging population. However, new residents, like Hashimoto-san, have joined in community revitalization efforts. Originally from Kyoto, where she worked as a florist, Hashimoto-san was drawn by the area’s natural beauty and moved to Hata in 2009. After extensive discussions with the local community on how to preserve their local heritage, she decided to transform a vacant farmhouse into a guesthouse and opened Tanada House in 2019.

Volunteers participating in rice planting (Photo courtesy of Biwako Takashima Tourism Assoc.)

What motivated her was a desire to connect younger generations with the region’s natural and cultural legacy. Her aim is to create a sustainable business that can be passed on to the next generation. She is also committed to learning and preserving recipes from local elders, helping to maintain the region’s vibrant culture. Her mentor, Kimiko-san, is a key part of this endeavor as she is already respected in Hata for her work in preserving traditional local cuisine.

Since its opening, both domestic and international guests from around the world have visited to experience this rare landscape and traditional way of Japanese life. During their stays, many have enjoyed the unique charm of the region, while savoring Hashimoto-san’s homemade meals and participating in immersive local activities.

 

One group that left a lasting impression on Hashimoto-san was an international family living in Japan who stayed during the pandemic. They enjoyed slowly taking in the peaceful atmosphere of the inn and village, fully embracing the tranquility of doing nothing, simply content to take in the serene surroundings.

Name of Provider
Tanada House

 

Contact
https://tanadahouse.com (JA)
[email protected]

 

Activities & Pricing
Rooms (accommodates up to 8 guests)
- 2 Bedrooms: 3 single beds + 1 sofa bed
- 2 Japanese-style rooms: 4 sets of futons available
*This is a private rental accommodation, available for a minimum of 2 guests. (For 1 guest, the price will be equivalent to 2 guests.)

 

Adult Rates (tax incl.)

• 1 Night with 2 Meals: 24,000yen per person (first 2 guests)
  - For 3 or more guests: +12,000yen per additional adult
• - 1 Night with Breakfast: 18,000yen per person (first 2 guests)
  - For 3 or more guests: +9,000yen per additional adult
• 1 Night with Dinner: 22,000yen per person (first 2 guests)
  - For 3 or more guests: +11,000yen per additional adult
• 1 Night (No Meals): 16,000yen per person (first 2 guests)
  - For 3 or more guests: +8,000yen per additional adult

 

Child Rates

• Infants (0-2 years): Free
• Children (3-12 years): 50% of adult rate
  - Junior high school students and older: adult rate

 

Additional Weekend & Holiday Rates

• + 1,500yen per adult
  - Applies on weekends, holidays, and peak periods (Golden Week, Obon, New Year, etc.)

 

Winter Heating Fee

• 2,000yen per night

 

Activities & Workshop (tax incl.)

• Kamado Rice Cooking: 3,000yen (for 3 cups of rice)
• Pizza Baking: 3,000yen (for 2 pizzas)
• Plum Picking & Processing: 3,000yen per adult
• Yuzu Harvesting & Yuzu Tea Making: 3,500yen per adult
• Tanada Tour: 500yen per adult

*The above are examples. Available activities and workshops depend on the season.

 

Reservation

• Reservations may be made through the website’s reservation form (Japanese-only) or via email.
• For email inquiries, your booking is not finalized until you receive a confirmation, which will be sent within 2-3 days.
• Optional activities may vary based on season. Please inquire at the time of reservation.
• Accommodates allergies and dietary restrictions, such as vegan and vegetarian options. Please specify at the time of reservation. Halal options are not available.

 

Business Hours & Holidays
Throughout the year

 

Check-in / out
3:00 pm / 11:00 am

 

Location
487-1 Hata, Takashima, Shiga 520-1144

 

Payment Method
Cash, major credit cards and Apple Pay

 

Age Requirements
None

 

Support for Foreign Visitors

• Foreign language speakers: None
• Communication is via translation devices or apps

 

Insurance
Not provided (individual coverage is recommended)

 

Wi-Fi Access
Yes

 

Disabled Accessibility
N/A

 

Access

• The nearest station is JR Omi-Takashima Station, accessible by the JR Kosei Line from Kyoto (Approx. 45 mins)
• From Omi-Takashima Station:
  - Bus: Take bus number 342 or 343 bound to Hata (about 25 minutes; runs approximately once in every hour or every two hours)
  - Taxi: 15 mins
• By Taxi from Kyoto
  - About 80 mins from Kyoto

 

Ride Service
N/A

 

 

*Prices as of 2024. May be subject to change. Please check with the provider for latest info.