On October 13th, 2026, international students at Nagasaki University participated in harvesting rice grown as part of a class led by Associate Professor Eiichiro Kamada of the Faculty of Education. The activity was organized to deepen participants’ understanding of Japanese agriculture and food culture while promoting international exchange among students.
The rice harvested on this occasion had been planted during a rice-transplanting activity held in July of this year. The international students who had also taken part in the planting were amazed to see how much the rice had grown in just a few months, with one student commenting, “I’m so happy that it grew so well!”
On the day of the event, participants harvested the rice by hand using sickles. Although some of the international students were experiencing rice harvesting for the first time, they quickly became accustomed to the work and cooperated with students from the Faculty of Education. The harvesting was completed in about 30 minutes, giving participants the satisfaction of a successful autumn harvest.
The harvested rice stalks were bundled into sheaves about 15 centimeters in diameter, tied at the base with string, and arranged inside a greenhouse for drying. Once sufficiently dried, the rice will undergo threshing and milling before it is ready for consumption.
In December, the rice will be used for a traditional mochi-pounding event. The international students are looking forward to completing this series of experiences, from rice planting and harvesting to making mochi, and further deepening their appreciation of Japanese culture.