Nagoro might appear as a quiet, unassuming village in Japan at first glance. However, a closer look reveals something unsettling that will leave visitors unnerved.
Nagoro: A village home to over 350 dolls
Nagoro, a small village on Japan’s Shikoku Island, was once a thriving valley. Over time, the local population dwindled, with residents either passing away or moving to cities in search of work. Today, only a handful of people remain, while more than 350 life-sized dolls inhabit the village. These dolls, eerily placed throughout the valley, often startle visitors and drivers who pass through on the main road.
Crafting dolls to fight boredom
Despite the haunting sight, there’s no dark secret behind these dolls. They were created by Tsukimi Ayano, an elderly woman who grew up in the valley and later returned to her hometown. Upon her return, she found that only 37 people still lived in Nagoro. Faced with boredom in the largely deserted village, Ayano decided to craft life-sized dolls to fill the empty space.
Dolls attract curious tourists
Many of the dolls in Nagoro are representations of former villagers. “When I make dolls of people who have passed away, I think about them—how they were when they were alive and healthy,” Ayano shared in an interview reported by Travelbook.
Ayano is aware that her creations may not appeal to everyone. “Some people are afraid of them because they look so real,” she admitted. Despite the mixed reactions, Ayano’s hobby has brought her some real company. Nowadays, many tourists visit Nagoro to see the dolls, and with the help of Google Maps’ Street View, people can explore the eerie village and its fabric residents from the comfort of their homes.