Japan's 'Scarecrow Village' Becomes Eerie Tourist Attraction
A remote Japanese village, facing depopulation, has found an unusual new lease on life through hundreds of life-sized scarecrows.
In the mountainous Tokushima Prefecture on Japan's Shikoku Island lies the village of Nagoro, often called 'Scarecrow Village.' Once a typical rural community, Nagoro now grapples with severe depopulation, a trend common in many remote areas of Japan. The village's remaining 30 human residents are vastly outnumbered by an estimated 350 life-sized scarecrows.
These figures, crafted with striking realism, are posed in everyday scenarios: tending gardens, waiting at bus stops, and even sitting in an empty elementary school classroom. The unusual phenomenon began around 30 years ago when a local resident, Ms. Tsukimi Ayano, created a scarecrow for her field using her father's clothes. Inspired by the scarecrow's resemblance to a person, she began making more.
Other villagers joined her, contributing to the growing population of dolls. Each scarecrow is registered, with details about its name, personality, and story recorded. The figures are dressed to match their roles, from farmers in overalls to cyclists in helmets, and even small child scarecrows with toys. The empty primary school, which closed due to declining enrollment, now hosts scarecrows at its desks.
The village's transformation into an eerie tourist attraction has brought an unexpected vitality to the area. Ms. Ayano noted that the increasing number of dolls has drawn visitors from across Japan and internationally, making the town lively. The unique destination is a roughly two-hour drive from Tokushima City and was featured in former Top Gear host James May's series, "James May: Our Man in Japan." Visitors have shared reviews describing the village as extraordinary, eerily peaceful, and one of Japan's most unique spots, with some recommending a car with GPS for navigation due to the challenging roads.