noun
flat rice field; unterraced paddy
Refers to a rice field on flat land, as opposed to terraced paddies on slopes.
この地域には平田が広がっている。
Flat rice fields stretch across this region.
棚田 refers to terraced rice fields on hillsides, contrasting with 平田 which are flat.
Compound of 平 (hira, 'flat') and 田 (ta, 'rice field').