Morphology, physicochemical properties, pasting properties in the presence of various anionic ions and aging of gels of Akibare (Japoica type) and Milyang 23 (Indica type) rice starch were studied, Both starches. were polygonal with length in the range of $3{sim}6{mu}m$. Starch granules of Akibare were somewhat smaller than those of Milyang 23. X-ray diffraction study demonstrated that peak shape and intensity were significantly different between the two starches. Akibare and Milyang 23 rice starch had amylose content of 18.5 and 19.5% and water binding capacity of 106 and 100%, respectively. Milyang 23 rice starch had a higher swelling power than Akibare starch. A relationship between percent solubility and swelling power implied that bonding forces within the granules of the both starches were different. The optical transmittance of 0.1% suspension of the two starches increased rapidly from $60^{circ}C$. In the range of $60{sim}90^{circ}C$, the two starches showed a single gelatinization pattern. Amylograms of the two starches in the presence of various anionic ions showed that pasting temperature and peak temperature were progressively increased in the order of SCN-<I-<CI-<F-<${SO_4}^=$. SCN- and I- ions increased the peak height of Akibare rice starch while only SCN- ion was effective for Milyang 23 rice starch. There were no differences in the rates of retrogradation of 45% gels of the two starches stored at $21^{circ}C$.