Tōkamachi / Tsunan, Niigata, Japan — Rice Fields and the Art Field of Echigo-Tsumari

Tōkamachi / Tsunan, Niigata, Japan — Rice Fields and the Art Field of Echigo-Tsumari

[Rice fields in Tōkamachi] [Along the way, we unexpectedly encountered many pianos] [Japanese tree frogs filled the fields with their presence] [A beautiful kominka (traditional Japanese house) surrounded by rice fields] [All of these places are part of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field]

Tōkamachi and Tsunan, in Niigata Prefecture, lie north of Tokyo in a deep mountain region. This area is renowned for producing what is often considered the finest rice in Japan. In summer, the endless rice fields turn a vivid green, alive with the murmuring of mountain water, the calls of birds and insects, and the ubiquitous tiny green Japanese tree frogs.

Tōkamachi and Tsunan are shaped by their climate: heavy snowfall in winter and warm summers foster lush mountain greenery and the cultivation of exceptional rice. The region is also known as an “Art Field,” hosting the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial. This video was filmed in a non-Triennial year, yet the area still offers many fascinating art sites and museums.

Along the way, we unexpectedly encountered pianos in various places—a station concourse, cafés, and even former schools now used as art spaces.

Featured :
Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel
Tunnel of Light / MAD Architects
House of Light / James Turrell
Matsudai Nohbutai Center
Nunagawa Campus
Hoshitouge Terraced Rice Field

Playlist :
Reflets dans l’eau (from Images I) / Claude Debussy
Children’s Corner / Claude Debussy

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About this channel :
This collection gathers fragments of sound and light from my journeys through Japan and Europe. Presented as personal documentaries of encounters with culture, history, nature, art, and architecture, these films seek to capture the true atmosphere of each place through its soundscapes and light.

Many of the destinations I explore remain little known to international visitors. From the quiet shores of Shikoku to the mountains of Niigata, from distinctive museums in the Netherlands and Germany to old towns in France and England, these journeys reveal a side of the world that often goes unnoticed.

I often travel with my family, whose curiosity and wonder naturally weave into the story. Their presence reminds me that each destination offers countless ways to be experienced.

I hope these glimpses inspire you to wander, to pause, and to discover your own moments at the places you visit.

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