Scarecrow Village

Author: Richard Perkins
Photos/Videos Taken: 2025/05/13
Address: 191 Higashi-Iya, Sugeoi,
Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima

Japan, as many people may know, has a declining population. Each year, the number of Japanese children born is decreasing rapidly. Japan is currently facing a critical and dangerous situation. One might not notice how severe this issue is when in one of Japan’s major cities, but stepping into the Japanese countryside reveals just how few Japanese people there are. It’s particularly these countryside towns that are in danger of becoming empty, with no one living there. Because there are so few people in some of these towns, schools shut down, and daily necessities, such as hospitals, are also forced to close. Many young kids nowadays prefer living in bigger cities, some finding the countryside too difficult a place to live. This also impacts the ease of living in the countryside.

Despite the trend of urban living, some people prefer to stay in the rural areas where they grew up. Many are actively working to revitalize underpopulated regions, striving to restore the vibrancy they once had. One such area is located in Tokushima Prefecture, the かかしの里 (kakashi-no-sato), or “Scarecrow Village”. Though it’s underpopulated, a few residents still call this place home. Nestled in the valley of Iya—one of Japan's three most underexplored regions—this charming area is deep in the mountains and has started to attract a small number of tourists.

Scarecrow Village, as its name suggests, is filled with scarecrows—life-size human-like figures set up in fields to deter animals from crops. Surprisingly, most of the scarecrows in this area were created by a resident named Tsukimi Ayano. She built her first scarecrow in 2003, fashioning it to resemble her father and placing it in a vegetable garden to scare away crows. As people passed by, they began to greet the scarecrow, and Tsukimi Ayano enjoyed observing their interactions. Encouraged by this response, she decided to continue making scarecrows. To date, she has crafted over three hundred of them.

This settlement wasn’t always as well-known as it is today. When scarecrows first started appearing in the area, few people were aware of them. It wasn't until 2014 that a German student studying in Hiroshima Prefecture filmed the area and shared the video online, which led to its rise in popularity. The video attracted the attention of people from all over the world.

The scarecrows created by Tsukimi Ayano can be found throughout Scarecrow Village. They inhabit various locations, from a small community center to an abandoned school. They can even be seen in the vegetable plots and beside the river that flows through this settlement. Several scarecrows are also present in Tsukimi Ayano's home, and on days when she’s there, visitors can freely observe them. Despite the small number of residents in the area, it feels revitalized with a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

As you wander around this area, you'll likely be surprised by the number of scarecrows you see. What may catch your attention even more is the way these scarecrows are constructed. A closer look reveals that each scarecrow has its own unique clothes, hair, and facial features. They represent a diverse range of ages, from children to the elderly, and each one has distinct characteristics. It's hard to believe that most of these scarecrows were created by just one person. While it may not be a large settlement, the Scarecrow Village is, in many ways, a more fascinating area than some other tourist spots in Japan that are overcrowded with (foreign) visitors. Although it’s not easy to reach, it is definitely worth the effort to explore.

NOTE
The Scarecrow Village is more than just a picturesque spot for photographs. While there aren’t many residents, efforts have been made to revitalize the area and make it more vibrant. It's important to remember that others live here, so please be respectful during your visit.