Looking down towards the Hakuba47 base from Happo One

It is an unusual sight to see the tiered fields at the valley floor. These areas are rice paddies which are scattered everywhere throughout Japan. Many people ask me about these large areas and are surprised to hear that rice grows in the valley. It is difficult to imagine the temperature being warm enough here when we have so much snow around us.  Hakuba rice is famous because of the water that flows through the fields which is so fresh and clean.  There is never a shortage of water here as it is constantly running off the mountains all year round.