Ugo Town farmers begin traditional rice sun-drying

In the Tashiro district of Ugo Town, Akita Prefecture, farmers have begun the traditional ‘hasagake’ process of sun-drying harvested rice.

On September 23, harvesting commenced at the farm of Shigeru Kobayashi. Local residents and acquaintances assisted in the process, hanging bundles of rice—previously tied by machinery—onto wooden frames made of chestnut and cedar. The rice is left to dry in the sun for approximately two to three weeks before the threshing process begins.