Japan’s Traditional Farming Sites Receive Global Agricultural Heritage Status

Nov 02, 2025 | News On Japan

Nov 02, 2025 (News On Japan) - Two Japanese regions — Okuizumo in Shimane Prefecture and Arida-Shimotsu in Wakayama Prefecture — have been officially recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), receiving their certification in Rome, Italy.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) designates regions that have inherited and preserved traditional agricultural, forestry, and fishery practices as “World Agricultural Heritage Sites.” The certification ceremony took place on October 31st in Rome.

Okuizumo in Shimane Prefecture was recognized for transforming waterways and reservoirs once used to collect iron sand for Japan’s ancient “tatara” iron-making method into distinctive terraced rice fields that sustain the local landscape.

Meanwhile, the Arida-Shimotsu area of Wakayama Prefecture has cultivated high-quality mandarin oranges for over 400 years on stone-stepped terraces built along sloping hillsides, representing a long-standing harmony between people and the natural environment.

With these additions, Japan now has a total of 17 regions certified as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Sites.

Source: TBS

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