[Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki Project] Now Recruiting Participants for Rice Paddy Ridge Filling Experience at Maruyama Senmaida in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture!
The Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki Project is recruiting participants for a traditional 'Rice Paddy Ridge Filling Experience' at Maruyama Senmaida in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, on April 11, 2026. This event, aimed at hotel guests, offers an opportunity to engage in historical farming practices and connect with local culture. The project seeks to promote regional exploration and discovery through unique, hands-on experiences.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 14:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 20:55 (366h 55m after Collected)
The Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki Project (Location: Oyodonaka, Kita-ku, Osaka; CEO: Shigeru Oshima) is recruiting participants for the 'Rice Paddy Ridge Filling Experience' at Maruyama Senmaida, to be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, targeting guests staying at Fairfield by Marriott Kumano Kodo Mihama. This event is a farm work experience organized by the General Incorporated Foundation Kumano City Hometown Promotion Corporation, offering participants the chance to experience the traditional rice cultivation ridge-filling work while interacting with local farmers in Maruyama Senmaida, selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields.
The Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki Project operates 29 specialized lodging hotels nationwide, advocating a travel style of 'Exploring the Unknown Charms of the Region' from the hotel as a base. The project's concept is 'Let's Quest for the Unknown Japan,' aiming for guests to discover unique regional experiences and lesser-known attractions across the country.
The stage for this event, Maruyama Senmaida, is a terraced rice field spread across the slopes of the Maruyama district in Kiwa-cho, Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, and has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields. Records show there were already 2,240 rice paddies in 1601 (Keicho 6), but due to sugi (cedar) afforestation from the mid-1960s and depopulation/aging, the number decreased to 530 paddies by the early Heisei era. Driven by the passion of local residents to 'restore the senmaida inherited from our ancestors,' continuous efforts involving over 90 days of work annually, such as cutting down brushwood and rebuilding stone walls, have led to its current restoration, covering approximately 7.2 hectares with 1,340 paddies.
The terraced fields, clinging to the mountainside, transform with each season. In spring, when filled with water, they become countless mirrors reflecting the sky and mountains; in summer, lush green rice stalks sway in the wind; in autumn, golden carpets dye the mountain slopes. And in winter, after the rice is harvested, the aesthetic beauty of the stone walls, meticulously built by ancestors, quietly emerges, evoking a sense of timeless flow.
The ridge-filling experience in April takes place before the fields are flooded, offering a valuable opportunity to closely appreciate the terrain and the beauty of the stone walls of the terraced fields. Ridge filling is farm work that involves applying mud to the earthen walls surrounding the rice paddies to prevent water leakage. It requires skill and stamina, but the sense of accomplishment upon completion is exceptional. Participants will work using traditional methods under direct guidance from local farmers.
The Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki Project has participated in the Maruyama Senmaida owner system since 2024, with hotel staff personally experiencing rice planting and harvesting. Based on this experience, this recruitment drive was launched with the desire to offer guests staying at the hotel a farm work experience in the beautiful terraced rice fields.
Breathing in the clear spring air, touching the warmth of the soil, and conversing with local people – a unique experience awaits you here. Please feel the life and nature of Kumano, which cannot be encountered through tourism alone, with your own hands and feet. We sincerely look forward to your participation.
In the future, we plan to offer experiences such as rice planting and harvesting. Please look forward to it!
**Event Details**
* Date and Time: Saturday, April 11, 2026, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
* Cancellation: Canceled in case of rain. Decision to be made by Friday, April 10, 12:00 PM.
* Venue: Maruyama Senmaida
* Target Participants: Those staying at Fairfield by Marriott Kumano Kodo Mihama on Friday, April 10, 2026.
* Participation Fee: ¥1,500 per person (Junior high school students and above / tax included) - Payment at the front desk during check-in (Credit card only).
* Capacity: 10 people
* Schedule:
* Travel from the hotel to Maruyama Senmaida individually (approx. 30 minutes by car).
* 9:30 AM Arrival at Maruyama Senmaida
* 11:00 AM Lunch (Bento box)
* 11:30 AM Dissolution
* *Times may vary slightly depending on work progress.*
* Attire and What to Bring:
* Clothes that can get dirty
* Drinks for hydration
* Towel
* Rice planting boots, work gloves (Boots are available for loan, but limited, so bring your own if possible.)
* Sunscreen and a hat are recommended.
* Application: After making your accommodation reservation, contact Fairfield by Marriott Kumano Kodo Mihama (Phone: 05979-2-3301) and state your wish to participate in the Maruyama Senmaida Ridge Filling Experience.
* *Please note that the General Incorporated Foundation Kumano City Hometown Promotion Corporation may take photos and videos for promotional activities on the day of the event. Thank you for your understanding.*
* Application Deadline: Friday, April 3, 2026, 5:00 PM
The Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki Project operates 29 specialized lodging hotels nationwide, advocating a travel style of 'Exploring the Unknown Charms of the Region' from the hotel as a base. The project's concept is 'Let's Quest for the Unknown Japan,' aiming for guests to discover unique regional experiences and lesser-known attractions across the country.
The stage for this event, Maruyama Senmaida, is a terraced rice field spread across the slopes of the Maruyama district in Kiwa-cho, Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, and has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields. Records show there were already 2,240 rice paddies in 1601 (Keicho 6), but due to sugi (cedar) afforestation from the mid-1960s and depopulation/aging, the number decreased to 530 paddies by the early Heisei era. Driven by the passion of local residents to 'restore the senmaida inherited from our ancestors,' continuous efforts involving over 90 days of work annually, such as cutting down brushwood and rebuilding stone walls, have led to its current restoration, covering approximately 7.2 hectares with 1,340 paddies.
The terraced fields, clinging to the mountainside, transform with each season. In spring, when filled with water, they become countless mirrors reflecting the sky and mountains; in summer, lush green rice stalks sway in the wind; in autumn, golden carpets dye the mountain slopes. And in winter, after the rice is harvested, the aesthetic beauty of the stone walls, meticulously built by ancestors, quietly emerges, evoking a sense of timeless flow.
The ridge-filling experience in April takes place before the fields are flooded, offering a valuable opportunity to closely appreciate the terrain and the beauty of the stone walls of the terraced fields. Ridge filling is farm work that involves applying mud to the earthen walls surrounding the rice paddies to prevent water leakage. It requires skill and stamina, but the sense of accomplishment upon completion is exceptional. Participants will work using traditional methods under direct guidance from local farmers.
The Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki Project has participated in the Maruyama Senmaida owner system since 2024, with hotel staff personally experiencing rice planting and harvesting. Based on this experience, this recruitment drive was launched with the desire to offer guests staying at the hotel a farm work experience in the beautiful terraced rice fields.
Breathing in the clear spring air, touching the warmth of the soil, and conversing with local people – a unique experience awaits you here. Please feel the life and nature of Kumano, which cannot be encountered through tourism alone, with your own hands and feet. We sincerely look forward to your participation.
In the future, we plan to offer experiences such as rice planting and harvesting. Please look forward to it!
**Event Details**
* Date and Time: Saturday, April 11, 2026, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
* Cancellation: Canceled in case of rain. Decision to be made by Friday, April 10, 12:00 PM.
* Venue: Maruyama Senmaida
* Target Participants: Those staying at Fairfield by Marriott Kumano Kodo Mihama on Friday, April 10, 2026.
* Participation Fee: ¥1,500 per person (Junior high school students and above / tax included) - Payment at the front desk during check-in (Credit card only).
* Capacity: 10 people
* Schedule:
* Travel from the hotel to Maruyama Senmaida individually (approx. 30 minutes by car).
* 9:30 AM Arrival at Maruyama Senmaida
* 11:00 AM Lunch (Bento box)
* 11:30 AM Dissolution
* *Times may vary slightly depending on work progress.*
* Attire and What to Bring:
* Clothes that can get dirty
* Drinks for hydration
* Towel
* Rice planting boots, work gloves (Boots are available for loan, but limited, so bring your own if possible.)
* Sunscreen and a hat are recommended.
* Application: After making your accommodation reservation, contact Fairfield by Marriott Kumano Kodo Mihama (Phone: 05979-2-3301) and state your wish to participate in the Maruyama Senmaida Ridge Filling Experience.
* *Please note that the General Incorporated Foundation Kumano City Hometown Promotion Corporation may take photos and videos for promotional activities on the day of the event. Thank you for your understanding.*
* Application Deadline: Friday, April 3, 2026, 5:00 PM