—The yearly rice production is about 6.7 million tons.

—The number of families farming rice paddies is 700 thousand.

—Rice production begins with soil preparation in April and ends with harvesting in October.

—Onigiri is thought to have been eaten by the middle of the Yayoi period (300 BC – 250 AD). The oldest Onigiri fossils were found on the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture.

—Rice costs about 5000 yen per 10 kilograms.

—The three main species of rice are Indica, Japonica, and Javanica. Almost all of the rice farmed in Japan is Japonica.—One grain makes 500 grains.

—Many festivals in Japan are related to rice planting. Rice was a crucial food for Japanese people to sustain their lives. Festivals  祭り 2001301

—Rice and sake made from rice are very important offerings in Shinto shrine rituals.   More about Japanese Sake , Click here.

—The warm, humid climate of Japan is well-suited for rice growth. Planting and harvesting are regular, and rice is easy to store.

—The Japanese word 田 is often used in Japanese names.

—Samurai in the Edo period were paid in rice.

—Rice paddies have a rectangular shape, which is good for using machines and saving time in rice farming.

—One rice paddy of 1000 square meters (one tan) produces enough rice for six people’s daily three meals for one year.