When autumn comes, the rice fields in rural Kagoshima begin to change. After the rice is harvested, you can still see rice bundles hung up to dry naturally in the sun. Rice is such a familiar part of everyday meals in Japan that it can be easy to forget how much time and effort goes into growing every grain. When I see this autumn scene, I remember that the rice we eat every day comes not only from nature, but also from the time and work of many people. In Japan, we say “Itadakimasu” before we eat. To me, it is a way of saying thank you — to the food, to nature, and to the people who helped bring it to our table. It may be an ordinary autumn scene in the countryside. But this, too, is a Japan I want to share with the world.