A symbol of autumn in Japan: ripe rice - stock photo

Photographed on September 8, 2025Location: Nabari City, Mie Prefecture, JapanWhen the rice ears shine golden and the grains are fully developed, it's time for harvest. In the photo location, harvesting used to take place between September and October, but in recent years, it has shifted to late August or early September. A full, ripe ear of rice typically contains around 50 to 100 grains. A single rice stalk produces between five and 25 ears of rice. Multiplying this by the number of grains per ear can result in the harvest of several thousand grains per stalk. This high yield is perhaps the secret to Japan's ability to support its population.