Changes in Visitors to Rice Terraces and Their Characteristics Before and After Self-Imposed Stay-Home

Evidence from Mobility Data in the Sakamoto Rice Terraces and the nearby Roadside Station during and after COVID-19

Abstract

This paper analyzed changes in the number of visitors to the rice terrace area and nearby roadside station. We focused on changes before and after self-imposed stay-home during the COVID-19 pandemic, using mobility data to investigate the variations. We found that the number of visitors and the time spent in the rice terrace area increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when the scenery was optimal. In contrast, the number of visitors and the time spent at the roadside station decreased, especially during the peak seasons.