Rural Yatsushiro
[Yatsushiro-gun]

Only minutes away from downtown Yatsushiro, the landscape changes dramatically to one of inaccessible mountains, valleys, and high mountain villages.  Dirt roads can still be found throughout this area. We had a flat tire on one last summer (2001).
 

A small valley at the beginning of rice harvest, Sakamoto Village. The 4 houses on the right no longer exist as depopulation of rural areas continues.
 
 

In the hamlet of Iwaoku in Izumi Village,  terraced rice gives way to tea and then to forest. This is the last village before the pass into Gokanosho.