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Rural Living: Rupert Singleton Japan – Rice Part 1

Rupert Singleton Japan

12,639 views

With the 2025 rice growing season now fully underway – and having had time to film it – here is part 1, my first episode dedicated to rice (plus news about further planned and upcoming videos). After cultivating rice for 6 years now I like to think I know what I am doing!!. ... and with so many photographs and videos taken along the way it feels good to be able to share them with you all in this video so I look forward to feedback and comments. Whilst I have fun and enjoy growing rice (despite the hard toil), there is also the serious side to natural farming – it's simply good for our planet – and to us so I hope as many people as possible get to view my humble message.

In Japan right now rice is almost doubling in price due to an apparent shortage (of rice and farmers) so there is no better time to be a rice farmer. Free rice!.

Japan needs more rice farmers and a 'rice straw revolution' !!

All music featured in this video is Japanese. Like my farming practices, keep things local.

20 Comments

@thescreamer_248 1 year ago

In the last half hour this channel has got 20 subs and counting...looks like im not the only one here from destination adventure...😊

@TokyoNerd 1 year ago

What I love about Rupert is that he not only produces essential foods for himself while living "off the grid," but he also makes an effort to preserve Japanese traditions. I feel that far too many young Japanese people are overly focused on the West, often overlooking the beauty of their own country.

@Joel-xs2fk 1 year ago

This documentary video is pure food for the soul. The beauty and quality of the image is breathtaking, as are your photographs that you have posted.
As a 24-year-old living in a rural area of northern Spain, I am moved by the relationship you have with your environment and your rice.
Like you, Rupert, I also love the old days, so seeing you using traditional, manual machinery fascinates me.
I will wait patiently to see you tending your rice and learning more about your beautiful way of seeing the world.

@Expaan1337 8 days ago

Thank you for showing this whole process, very refreshing and informative! How awesome that you live near to where rice was first cultivated! Always lovely to see your videoes, Rupert!

@elynhuoanhpugh3554 1 year ago

What an honor to get a glimpse of heaven.

@poacher7805 8 months ago

Contentment is what i feel from him. The ultimate goal for me.

@jimwalsh7904 1 year ago

Now I've watched the whole video. It is excellent. I'm 69 y/o probably a little late in the day to start doing this...but I love watching you do it. Yes, the sound of silence. I live in Tsukuba in an apartment over looking the rice fields and some times I hear it too. I love the wading birds that come when they flood the paddies.

@alaindc 4 months ago

Hey Rupert! hope you're doing well. Thank you for sharing this journey with us! I am looking forward to hear more about your experience. Please keep on enjoying your life!

@pauleaton6908 1 year ago

Beautiful Rupert, you have reminded me why I chose to be a veg farmer in Wales. Simple rhythms, dictated by the gentle movement of the seasons, and lots of silence and natural sounds, pure bliss. Thank you.

@awakenreality72 1 year ago

Ciao Rupert, here it's Alberto from Sado Island ,Niigata prefecture.
Thank you for share a glimpse of your life there, I'm also owning an old Akiya with a forest and few rice paddies, natural farming from five years ago, but still a lot to learn!
Thank your for your example!
Alberto

@cinccave5459 1 year ago

My family were farmers in Western New York for almost 200 years. My uncle owned the farm, none of his children wanted to take over. The old gravel road is now a multi lane highway and the farm has sprung up townhouses. That's good farmland that will never see a crop again. Of course now i live in Hawaii on what used to be a sugar cane plantation. So I'm as guilty as the next.

@cocolenchojapan 1 year ago

Wow Rupert excellent video! Keep it up please!

@Yer_Da_ 1 year ago

Love this content, Rupert! Thank you for sharing this slice of serenity with the world. You have a calming way of guiding us through this gentle philosophical adventure.

@TempleLondon674 2 months ago

Thank you for video, amazing nature, peace, hard work on the field, nice photos. You cultivate Japanese culture, tradition , natural pharming. Thank you for videos what bring fresh air in London sky.

@AdventuresOfFloridaMan 1 year ago

Loving the content you’re putting out. I live in America and it feels like my idea that we are lied to about freedom proves itself more and more as I watch videos such as yours and many others who are abroad. Keep up the awesome videos please and thank you 😊

@marygeorge2467 1 year ago

It's all good! What a quiet, rich life you lead, and watching the process of cultivating and harvesting rice was just enchanting. Love that! 😊

@LeviSweet12zero 1 year ago

Rupert, your voice reminds me of Alan watts, you have a peaceful wise countenance, Bless you. thank you for living a dream and sharing it with us.

the LORD bless you and keep you,

the LORD make HIS face shine upon you and be gracious to you,

the LORD turn HIS countenance to you, V give you peace.

AMEN.

@karltraunmuller7048 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing these moments of your live with us 🙏🏻

@DavidCottam-r5b 1 year ago

He's so engaging. Seems a really genuine guy.

@catherinewestover8224 1 year ago

Absolutely love what you are doing. It is rare to see all rice production done naturally and traditionally; Fukuoka-san would be delighted. I had the pleasure of meeting you last year at the Kominka Summit. Bought some of your precious black rice. I still have your photo postcard of black rice grains up in my kitchen. Great photography. I much look forward to your next video. Good luck with it all, from a fellow Brit in Japan.