I wrote a big long thing but lost it - I want to say I really love the direction you wanna take the game in and will love to come back and try it again. New locations would be a lot of fun, and I think you have a lot of fun unique possibilities, especially if you're utilizing inspiration from your source material! I totally understand just putting it together for the jam! I am working on another game and have kind of the same issue with a cicada sound too! Imperfections also have character.
Regarding the mower- I am playing keyboard/mouse. What I realized replaying it just now, I could have been turning easier by lifting the mower- but it never occurred to me the first time I played. It's hard- without lifting it- to make a natural turn, I had to back up and pressssssssssss to make a turn. That is pretty normal for real mowing but what the physics lack for me feel wise is that kind of sway that normal heavy things have when you move them - When moving the mower this way or that, it should feel like there is some residual sway/resistance/momentum. Right now its just a box always facing forward regardless of how you move. That feels off to me. Having some more natural physics with the mower itself will make the playthrough more satisfying imo.
This is a very meditative game. I think it has so much potential, and is really great at the level you have it at now.