The Houtoku-Shiho by Kinjiro Ninomiya is widely known as a rural revitalization measure in the late modern period. However, while there have been many studies on the economic, social, and ideological aspects, only fragmentary references have been made to the physical aspects, i.e., the results of agricultural engineering. To compensate for this, this paper discusses the characteristics of the Houtoku-Shiho in the development of agricultural production infrastructure, such as farmland and agricultural facilities, with the Sakuramachi-Shiho as the main reference. The Houtoku-Shiho is characterized by its comprehensive and systematic measures, not only for production infrastructure but also for distribution facilities, which led to regional development by fostering and multiplying economically stable and self-supporting small-farm management. This was supported by Kinjiroʼs objective, rational, and practical attitude, as well as his experience as a local expert. In addition to obtaining the land information necessary for construction, he conducted detailed surveys aimed at eliminating conflicts between farm households over land and social relations and cultivating farm householdsʼ awareness of the need for reconstruction efforts. The technical features of the agricultural production infrastructure development were to improve land productivity by improving drainage and soil fertility, to shorten labor hours by straightening roads, farmland plots, and waterways, and to construct a functional road network. These did not revolutionize farming methods themselves, but they were accompanied by the development of many new technologies in response to the field. In his practice in the field, Kinjiro was preparing the material conditions for local agricultural development that would lead to the modern era.
