Kojima Unozu Rice Terraces

These popular rice terraces are located in Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. Beyond the terraced fields stretching across the mountains, you can see the Mizushima Industrial Complex and shipyards, creating a unique landscape that blends pastoral countryside scenery with modern factories.

The most popular times to visit are evening and night. In the evening, the sun sets while casting a golden glow over the industrial complex, wrapping the area in a nostalgic atmosphere. The night view, with factory lights emerging from the darkness, is also magical. In particular, the “twilight time” around 15–20 minutes after sunset, when the rice terraces and mountains are still faintly visible, is especially beautiful. If you are visiting for photography, the best timing is in late June, when the terraces are filled with water for rice planting.

These rice terraces are easy to stop by, as they are close to the Washuzan Skyline, a popular driving route with an observation deck overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. Access by car is convenient, but there is no dedicated parking lot, so please be careful not to disturb nearby residents.