The reason we have no beans for sale this year

We have two fields beside the house, about 1,000 square metres in total, and decided to bring them back into rice production after a break of around 10 years.

It was our first season, so there was plenty to learn, but we were lucky to have advice and help from people in the village who have been doing this far longer than we have.

By autumn, those two fields had produced 23 bags of rice, around 700 kg.

That was more than we expected, and a very satisfying result for our first harvest.

At the start of the season, the fields were mud and water with neat rows of tiny seedlings.

By summer they were completely green, and by autumn they had turned gold.

The dog appointed herself as head-farmer, which mainly involved standing around looking important, but not really helping much.

Missing the black soybean harvest

As pleased as we are with the rice, I have actually missed the black soybean harvest this year.

Over the years, working with the beans has introduced me to many people who have since become very close friends. My mum and dad also joined us for the harvest when they visited a couple of years ago, which made it even more special.

The harvest has a way of bringing everyone together. Friends, neighbours, children, older people, locals and visitors all end up working alongside each other.

That means a lot to me because the black soybean harvest is what first brought me to Sasayama 17 years ago. I came here as a traveller, helped with the harvest and got to know some of my dearest friends and met the love of my life, Yuka, who is now my wife.

Now Yuka and I have a family here, a home in the village, and fields of our own. Who would have thought?

Our Japanese friends in England were well pleased when our rice turned up at their doorstep.

No beans for sale this year

This year, because both of our main fields were used for rice, we only planted a small amount of Tamba black edamame in our vegetable garden.

There is enough for ourselves, friends and family, but unfortunately not enough to sell.

So, to everyone who bought edamame from us last year: thank you very much, and sorry we do not have a proper crop for you this autumn.

If you are coming to Tamba-Sasayama for black soybeans, please still come and say hello.

Our next-door neighbour has a great crop this year, and I would be very happy to introduce you if you would like to buy some locally.

Next year

Next year we are thinking of growing rice in one field and black soybeans in the other, then swapping them around each year.

That way we can keep growing our own rice, while also getting back to the bean harvest and the people that come with it. For us, that feels like the right balance.