Tanbo Art

In 1993, the people of Inakadate, Aomori were looking for a way to revitalize their village. Archaeological exploration led to a realization that rice had been grown in the area for more than 2000 years. To honor this history, the villagers started a rice field behind the town hall. With the paddy as a canvas, the villagers cultivated and used four different types of heirloom and modern strains of rice to create a giant picture in the field. To allow viewing of the whole picture, a mock castle tower 22 meters high was erected at the village office. In 2006, more than 200,000 people visited the village to see the art. ~ Wikipedia

For the whole days adventures...

which include a Buddhist Temple and a drive up death road click HERE

Here is the view from the City Hall Tower... it covers multiple rice patties and is AWESOME

View of the tower from the ground

Close up of the rice

Directions to Inakadate from Misawa:

so it is right before Hirosaki, we got there by going to Lake Towada and then following 102. So just go out the POL gate straight (there is a small y when entering Towada stay left) until you get to a do not enter sign in Towada... turn left over a bridge. Follow the street signs for 102... it will be a right turn. When you get to the lake turn right to keep following 102. About 5km outside of Hirosaki is the town of Inakadate... its going to be on the right side of the road and look for a really tall black and white pagoda building... you cant see the paddies from the main road but there are flags and lots of cars! And its free but they take donations!

if you google map Inakadate Japan you can see the location on a map!

I hope this helps!