Rice harvesting was carried out in the paddy fields of "Rice Paddy Art" along the Akita Nairiku Line in Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture.
In the paddy fields along the Akita Nairiku Line, which connects Takasu Station in Kitaakita City and Kakunodate Station in Semboku City, we work with local farmers every year to plant rice of different colors to create a huge picture of rice paddy art, so that people can enjoy the view from the train window.
With the harvest season approaching, on the 27th, about 50 people, including locals and elementary school students, participated in the paddy fields of "Rice Paddy Art" near Jomon-Ogada Station in Kitaakita City, and hand-harvested rice with depictions of the mascot character "Isedo-kun" and Akita dogs of the World Heritage Site of Isedodai near the station.
On the 27th, it was a clear autumn day with blue skies, but the rice fields were quite muddy due to the rain on the 26th, and the children were working hard to harvest the rice with their sickles while their feet were caught in the mud.
A fifth-grade student who participated said, "It felt good and fun to be able to collect bundles of rice together and harvest them beautifully."
The harvested rice is tasted by local children, and customers can also eat it at events on the inland line.