World's Largest Rice Scoop

The world's largest rice scoop is located in the town of Miyajima (Itsukushima) Island, Japan. This impressive wooden scoop, crafted from a 270-year-old Zelkova (Japanese elm) tree, measures 7.7 metres (25 feet) in length, 2.7 metres (9 feet) in width, and weighs a staggering 2.5 tonnes (2.46 Imperial tons). It took approximately three years to carve this gigantic piece.

Rice holds a significant position as a staple food in Japanese culture, and rice scoops, in general, serve as a poignant reminder of its importance. The scoop itself stands as a symbolic representation of Miyajima, renowned for its traditional wood carvings.

Originally commissioned by the town of Miyajima in 1983 to showcase its traditional woodcraft, due to its large size, suitable space to display the scoop was not readily available. Consequently, it remained in storage for an extended period.

In 1996, on the occasion of Itsukushima Shrine's designation as a World Heritage Site, the scoop found its exhibition place at Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Arcade. However, in 2021, it was relocated to the nearby ETTO Miyajima Exchange Centre (Miyajima Community Development Exchange Centre).

This giant scoop is a popular tourist attraction in Miyajima, drawing visitors from far and wide. The town's souvenir shops are brimming with thousands of wooden scoops, spoons, forks, and other utensils of varying sizes, ranging from a few centimetres to a couple of metres in length.

The Scoop at Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Arcade:

Image from Flickr is by Kirk K

The Scoop at ETTO Miyajima Exchange Centre:

Image from Google Maps is by abuw910

Google Street View (July 2016) at Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Arcade.

Google Maps (current location).

Source of information: miyajima.or.jp / uncover.travel

Credits: I am thankful to Miyajima Tourist Association for guiding me to the current location of this giant scoop.