An enchanting scene of rice paddies bathed in the evening glow unfolds in Kitakata, Fukushima Prefecture — a leading rice-producing area in the Tohoku region. Rice varieties like Koshihikari are thought to be the primary crops grown there in the Aizu Basin, surrounded by mountains such as Mt. Bandai, and rice planting begins in earnest every May. From the hills overlooking the basin, the setting sun reflected off the rice paddies makes them stand out vividly. A visitor from Otawara, Tochigi Prefecture, who was enjoying taking photos, said, “It’s beautiful seeing the fields gradually turning orange.”