<strong>Japan's 'Valley of Dolls': </strong>In the Japanese village of Nagoro, life-size scarecrows outnumber the human residents ten-to-one.
Japan's 'Valley of Dolls': In the Japanese village of Nagoro, life-size scarecrows outnumber the human residents ten-to-one.
Setouchi Tourism
<strong>Hundreds of scarecrows:</strong> The scarecrows are the brainchild of Tsukimi Ayano, a crafts hobbyist who returned to the village in 2002 after living in the "big city" of Osaka most of her life.
Hundreds of scarecrows: The scarecrows are the brainchild of Tsukimi Ayano, a crafts hobbyist who returned to the village in 2002 after living in the "big city" of Osaka most of her life.
Setouchi Tourism
<strong>Dwindling residents: </strong>In Ayano's childhood years, there were more than 300 residents. Today, there are 27. The dolls have been created as effigies to memorialize the departed locals and infuse some spirit into the vanishing village.<br />
Dwindling residents: In Ayano's childhood years, there were more than 300 residents. Today, there are 27. The dolls have been created as effigies to memorialize the departed locals and infuse some spirit into the vanishing village.
Setouchi Tourism
<strong>The creator: </strong>Today, visitors from around the world come to the village to see the dolls. "Before the scarecrows, it was just an ordinary village no one really cared about," says Tsukimi Ayano, seen here posing with one of her creations.
The creator: Today, visitors from around the world come to the village to see the dolls. "Before the scarecrows, it was just an ordinary village no one really cared about," says Tsukimi Ayano, seen here posing with one of her creations.
Setouchi Tourism
<strong>Elementary school: </strong>The village's only school was shut down a few years ago as the last two elementary students graduated. Today it's an unofficial "museum" with a classroom of 12 or so attentive, wide-eyed pupils at their desks as the teacher delivers a lesson.
Elementary school: The village's only school was shut down a few years ago as the last two elementary students graduated. Today it's an unofficial "museum" with a classroom of 12 or so attentive, wide-eyed pupils at their desks as the teacher delivers a lesson.
Setouchi Tourism
<strong>Build-a-scarecrow: </strong>Those really into the scarecrows can memorialize themselves, or someone else, with Ayano's Scarecrow-Making Workshop, held every fourth Wednesday each month from April to November.
Build-a-scarecrow: Those really into the scarecrows can memorialize themselves, or someone else, with Ayano's Scarecrow-Making Workshop, held every fourth Wednesday each month from April to November.
Setouchi Tourism
<strong>Village road: "</strong>If I get sick or old, I might go live with my children or other family in Osaka. But as long as I'm healthy, I'd like to stay in Nagoro, and continue making the scarecrows," says Ayano.
Village road: "If I get sick or old, I might go live with my children or other family in Osaka. But as long as I'm healthy, I'd like to stay in Nagoro, and continue making the scarecrows," says Ayano.
Setouchi Tourism