"Yamagata's Terraced Rice Fields Stamp Rally 2026" to be Held - Tour the Terraced Rice Fields and Win Wonderful Prizes! -

Yamagata Prefecture will launch the "Yamagata's Terraced Rice Fields Stamp Rally," an event aimed at promoting the appeal of terraced rice fields and expanding the population of visitors and participants, starting on July 1st. This event marks its 8th year and will be held at 18 terraced rice field locations across the prefecture. Participants can apply for prizes by joining from the special website via smartphone and collecting stamps as they visit different locations. This event allows you to enjoy the charms of nature and food while experiencing the original landscapes of Yamagata.

Event Period: Wednesday, July 1, Reiwa 8 (2026) to Monday, November 30, Reiwa 8 (2026)

Target Terraced Rice Fields: 18 locations of terraced rice fields within Yamagata Prefecture

Application Prizes: 1 Apply for prize gifts by collecting 5 or more stamps

・5 or more stamps collected: "Kome Prize" 5kg of rice from terraced fields - 20 winners

・9 or more stamps collected: "Tanada Genki Prize" Local specialty products from terraced rice field areas (approx. 5,000 yen value) - 10 winners

・All 18 stamps collected: "Complete Prize" Gift for all applicants

(Details of the Complete Prize will be announced during the event period)

2 Apply for prize gifts by posting photos of the target terraced rice fields on Instagram

・"Photogenic Prize" Local specialty products from terraced rice field areas (approx. 3,000 yen value) - 5 winners

How to Participate: 1 Enter from the "Yamagata's Terraced Rice Fields Stamp Rally" special website on your smartphone, and access the smartphone-only website at the stamp location to get your stamp.

2 Follow the official account (@yamagata_tanada) on Instagram and post photos of the terraced rice fields with the hashtag "#やまがたの棚田スタンプラリー2026".

(※ The Photogenic Prize will be decided by a panel of judges from the submitted works. Winners will be contacted via direct message on Instagram from the official account.)

* Stamp collection and photo posting are available from July 1st (Wed).

〈Yamagata Prefecture HP〉

≪For details, please visit the Yamagata Prefecture HP≫

https://www100.pref.yamagata.jp/140017/tanada/tanada_stamprally-2026.html

About the Photogenic Prize

Instagram Official Account "Yamagata's Terraced Rice Fields"

In conjunction with the stamp rally, we will be holding a "Photogenic Prize" to widely promote the appeal of terraced rice fields. Participants can apply by following the official Yamagata Prefecture Instagram account and posting photos taken at terraced rice fields in the prefecture with the designated hashtag. Excellent photos will be selected from the submitted works, the results will be announced at a later date, and winners will receive commemorative gifts.

2025 Photogenic Prize Winning Works

〇 Tsuruoka City "Kuretsubo no Tanada" (Terraced Rice Fields of Kuretsubo)

Photo by: @80road

〇 Yamabe Town "Oowarabi no Tanada" (Terraced Rice Fields of Oowarabi)

Photo by: @hiroki.ak8

Initiatives to Promote the Appeal of Terraced Rice Fields in Yamagata Prefecture

Yamagata Prefecture has terraced rice fields spread across various regions, built on slopes, which have been carefully passed down as an agricultural foundation supporting local life. However, due to population decline and an aging population, their maintenance and preservation have become challenges. In light of this situation, the prefecture is implementing the "Yamagata's Terraced Rice Fields Stamp Rally" to widely promote the value and appeal of these fields and to increase visitor engagement by fostering interest in the region.

This stamp rally is a project that allows participants to join from their smartphones, visit terraced rice fields throughout the prefecture, and collect stamps. The targeted terraced rice fields are not only beautiful in landscape but also play multifaceted roles such as water source conservation and biodiversity preservation, and their value as regional resources is being re-evaluated.

Through this project, the prefecture aims to widely promote the appeal of terraced rice fields outside the prefecture, promote tourism, and contribute to regional revitalization and the preservation of a sustainable rural environment.