Photos of Farming in Japan for Captain Bill
Farm in Northern Japan Furano City, Hokkaido Japan — May 2007 ( Similar shots are found in “ Pretty Fields in Biei ” ) -- Biei, Hokkaido, Japan -- Copyright 2007 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 at an effective 202mm — 1/400 sec, f/7.1, ISO 320 — map & image datanearby photos
Farm in Northern Japan
Furano City, Hokkaido Japan — May 2007
( Similar shots are found in Pretty Fields in Biei )

I popped down to South Carolina to visit my brother Alan and to join him in a road trip back up to Ohio, and on the flight last night I sat next to an off-duty pilot for US Airways who lives on a 250-acre farm in Ohio and commutes to his flight hub in Charlotte for work. We had a nice chat.

He knows nothing of Japan, and enjoys farming, so I thought I'd put a post of random farming in Japan photos for him. It's somewhat of a challenge to find appropriate (but still unpublished) shots among the 130,000 photos in my archive, but are some I could scrounge up at short notice.

Most of these shots come from events that have already been discussed on my blog... if you have interest, see the nearby photos link under each photo for more photos from the same area, and links to the associated article on my blog.

Farming Village and Rice Paddies Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan — June 2008 -- Takashima, Shiga, Japan -- Copyright 2008 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 at an effective 165mm — 1/320 sec, f/3.2, ISO 400 — map & image datanearby photos
Farming Village and Rice Paddies
Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan — June 2008
Out to Dry rice after the harvest, Katano City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan — Oct 2011 -- Katano, Osaka, Japan -- Copyright 2011 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/2000 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Out to Dry
rice after the harvest, Katano City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan — Oct 2011

I've a lot of blog posts about rice farming; perhaps the best introduction is Stages of the Rice Harvest.

Pineapple Farm Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan — May 2009 -- Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan -- Copyright 2009 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 56mm — 1/800 sec, f/4, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Pineapple Farm
Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan — May 2009
Family Farms in Furano Furano City, Hokkaido Japan — April 2007 ( More found in “ New Furano Prince Hotel ” ) -- Furano, Hokkaido, Japan -- Copyright 2007 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 at an effective 157mm — 1/320 sec, f/9, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Family Farms in Furano
Furano City, Hokkaido Japan — April 2007
( More found in New Furano Prince Hotel )
Larger Farm Biei City, Hokkaido Japan — April 2007 -- Furano, Hokkaido, Japan -- Copyright 2007 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 at an effective 25mm — 1/160 sec, f/10, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Larger Farm
Biei City, Hokkaido Japan — April 2007
Tree Farm Kyoto Japan — Dec 2010 -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 250 — map & image datanearby photos
Tree Farm
Kyoto Japan — Dec 2010
Tree Farmer Kyoto Japan — Dec 2010 -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO 640 — map & image datanearby photos
Tree Farmer
Kyoto Japan — Dec 2010
Finish Work Kyoto Japan — Dec 2010 -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 560 — map & image datanearby photos
Finish Work
Kyoto Japan — Dec 2010
Rolling Fields with a large tractor/combine(?) in the background for scale Furano City, Hokkaido Japan — April 2007 ( More found in “ Stinky Feet ” ) -- Furano, Hokkaido, Japan -- Copyright 2007 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 at an effective 105mm — 1/250 sec, f/8, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Rolling Fields
with a large tractor/combine(?) in the background for scale
Furano City, Hokkaido Japan — April 2007
( More found in Stinky Feet )
Biei City, Hokkaido Japan — May 2007 ( More found in “ More Biei Countryside ” ) -- Biei, Hokkaido, Japan -- Copyright 2007 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 at an effective 57mm — 1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 320 — map & image datanearby photos
Biei City, Hokkaido Japan — May 2007
( More found in More Biei Countryside )
Biei City, Hokkaido Japan — May 2007 -- Biei, Hokkaido, Japan -- Copyright 2007 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 at an effective 240mm — 1/1250 sec, f/3.5, ISO 160 — map & image datanearby photos
Biei City, Hokkaido Japan — May 2007
Rocky Soil Biei City, Hokkaido Japan — May 2007 ( More found in “ Yet More from Picturesque Biei ” ) -- Biei, Hokkaido, Japan -- Copyright 2007 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 at an effective 300mm — 1/250 sec, f/9, ISO 160 — map & image datanearby photos
Rocky Soil
Biei City, Hokkaido Japan — May 2007
( More found in Yet More from Picturesque Biei )
Planting Rice Kyoto Japan — May 2007 ( More found in “ Preparing a Paddy for Rice Seedlings ” ) -- Copyright 2007 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 at an effective 57mm — 1/90 sec, f/4.5, ISO 500 — map & image datanearby photos
Planting Rice
Kyoto Japan — May 2007
( More found in Preparing a Paddy for Rice Seedlings )
Countryside Rice Field Ohara Village, Kyoto Japan — June 2008 -- Ohara, Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2008 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 at an effective 67mm — 1/100 sec, f/10, ISO 320 — map & image datanearby photos
Countryside Rice Field
Ohara Village, Kyoto Japan — June 2008
Nestled in the Mountains Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan — June 2008 -- Takashima, Shiga, Japan -- Copyright 2008 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 at an effective 82mm — 1/200 sec, f/5, ISO 500 — map & image datanearby photos
Nestled in the Mountains
Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan — June 2008
Farmstead Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan — June 2008 -- Takashima, Shiga, Japan -- Copyright 2008 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 at an effective 45mm — 1/200 sec, f/4.5, ISO 500 — map & image datanearby photos
Farmstead
Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan — June 2008

We came across this farming community nestled in the mountains an hour north of Kyoto by chance while on a drive on a drizzly/foggy summer day, but apparently it was popular with photographers because we saw this sign by the road:

“ Attention Visiting Cameramen ” “ please stay out of the fields ” -- Takashima, Shiga, Japan -- Copyright 2008 Jeffrey Eric Francis Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 at an effective 42mm — 1/180 sec, f/5, ISO 800 — map & image datanearby photos
Attention Visiting Cameramen
please stay out of the fields
Drying Rice at the Side of the Road Iga City, Mie Prefecture, Japan — Nov 2010 -- Iga, Mie, Japan -- Copyright 2010 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/2500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Drying Rice at the Side of the Road
Iga City, Mie Prefecture, Japan — Nov 2010
Working the Rice Paddies Overlooking Aragijima City (あらぎ島), Wakayama Prefecture — May 2011 ( More found in “ The Aragishima Terraced Rice Paddies of Wakayama ” ) -- Overlooking Aragijima (あらぎ島) -- Aridagawa, Wakayama, Japan -- Copyright 2011 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Working the Rice Paddies
Overlooking Aragijima City (あらぎ島), Wakayama Prefecture — May 2011
( More found in The Aragishima Terraced Rice Paddies of Wakayama )
Small Farm Near the Sanzen-in Temple (三千院), Ohara Village, Kyoto Japan — Nov 2012 -- Near the Sanzen-in Temple (三千院) -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/400 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Small Farm
Near the Sanzen-in Temple (三千院), Ohara Village, Kyoto Japan — Nov 2012
Small Farm Near the Sanzen-in Temple (三千院), Ohara Village, Kyoto Japan — Nov 2012 -- Near the Sanzen-in Temple (三千院) -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/1250 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Small Farm
Near the Sanzen-in Temple (三千院), Ohara Village, Kyoto Japan — Nov 2012
Bamboo Farmer Bamboo Farm, Kyoto Japan — Apr 2013 -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/2000 sec, f/2.5, ISO 5600 — map & image datanearby photos
Bamboo Farmer
Bamboo Farm, Kyoto Japan — Apr 2013
desktop background image of new bamboo growth at a managed grove in Kyoto, Japan -- New Growth Bamboo Farm, Kyoto Japan — Apr 2013 -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/2000 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1250 — map & image datanearby photos
New Growth
Bamboo Farm, Kyoto Japan — Apr 2013
Vertical Desktop-Background Versions
1050×1680  ·  1200×1920  ·  1600×2560
Baby Bamboo Bamboo Farm, Kyoto Japan — Apr 2013 -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 6400 — map & image datanearby photos
Baby Bamboo
Bamboo Farm, Kyoto Japan — Apr 2013
Putting Their Product to Work Kyoto Japan — Apr 2013 -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/6.3, ISO 6400 — map & image datanearby photos
Putting Their Product to Work
Kyoto Japan — Apr 2013
Fence Detail Bamboo Farm, Kyoto Japan — Apr 2013 -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/2000 sec, f/2.5, ISO 5600 — map & image datanearby photos
Fence Detail
Bamboo Farm, Kyoto Japan — Apr 2013
Weeding by Hand Kyoto Japan — Sep 2013 -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/1250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Weeding by Hand
Kyoto Japan — Sep 2013
Bundling Fresh-Cut Rice Kyoto Japan — Sep 2013 ( More of this lady working her field here ) -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Bundling Fresh-Cut Rice
Kyoto Japan — Sep 2013
( More of this lady working her field here )
Lotus-Root Farm Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan — Oct 2013 Lotus root ( レンコン ) is a common food -- 県道115号線 -- Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 34mm — 1/800 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Lotus-Root Farm
Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan — Oct 2013
Lotus root (レンコン) is a common food

And finally, one bonus (non-Japanese) shot...

The Happy Farmer Boy Anthony at 2½ (in Ohio at the time) — May 2005 -- Copyright 2005 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Canon IXY DIGITAL 600 — 1/200 sec, f/7.1, ISO 400 — image data
The Happy Farmer Boy
Anthony at 2½ (in Ohio at the time) — May 2005

All 5 comments so far, oldest first...

Very interesting shots of the tree farmer. Regards, Tom

— comment by Tom in SF on December 28th, 2013 at 6:32am JST (10 years, 3 months ago) comment permalink

I really like the Pineapple Farm photo. Seeing the blurred mountain in the background provides a wonderful sense of an open and nature-filled space.

I figured that would be my only comment, but the lighting on the bamboo farm shots was spectacular and deserves mention as well. Very nice and interesting photos, thanks for sharing.

— comment by David K. on December 28th, 2013 at 7:36am JST (10 years, 3 months ago) comment permalink

Lovely set; I need to visit Hokkaido some day…

You should do it in the next three weeks while you live (relatively) close by! —Jeffrey

— comment by Damien on December 28th, 2013 at 11:07am JST (10 years, 3 months ago) comment permalink

Hi Jeffery,
Just wanted to say how valuable I find this blog (found it only a couple of days back in fact, while searching for articles on jpg compression in Lightroom), and I must say – what a find! I really love the character that your blog has, for example the wigglegrams, the ‘Enter “Happy” in this box’ and all the attention to detail, what with location services for individual photos and related posts. I guess it does help that you are a programmer! I am loving the posts that I have read, a few pages into ‘older posts’, and it strikes me that there are fewer and fewer well-maintained blogs like yours nowadays since social media took over the internet. Photos and writing are both splendid. Will certainly be back to read more!

— comment by Mathew on December 28th, 2013 at 2:54pm JST (10 years, 3 months ago) comment permalink

Happy 2014 ! & Many many Thanks.

— comment by SomeOne on January 1st, 2014 at 4:42am JST (10 years, 3 months ago) comment permalink
Leave a comment...


All comments are invisible to others until Jeffrey approves them.

Please mention what part of the world you're writing from, if you don't mind. It's always interesting to see where people are visiting from.

IMPORTANT:I'm mostly retired, so I don't check comments often anymore, sorry.


You can use basic HTML; be sure to close tags properly.

Subscribe without commenting