Nagoro Doll Village - more dolls than humans, Iya Valley

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 06:31:53 +0000

Nagoro, also referred to as Nagoru, presently recognized as Nagoro Doll Village is situated in the Iya Valley on Shikoku Island in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan.

The village is renowned for the copious lifelike dolls strategically placed across the vicinity, which has propelled it to become a popular tourist destination. Located in a secluded mountainous area, the village previously accommodated approximately 300 inhabitants. However, the dwindling population in Japan has led to a decline, resulting in a headcount of 35 individuals by January 2015, 30 as of August 2016, and a further reduction to 27 by September 2019.

During the early 2000s, Tsukimi Ayano, who had relocated away from Nagoro during her childhood, returned to the village to provide care for her father. In commemoration of him, Ayano created a doll bearing his resemblance and placed it within a nearby field. Over time, Ayano has fashioned over 400 dolls, inclusive of replacements, with roughly 350 presently residing within the village. The dolls depict various forms, including replicas of former and present village residents, alongside imaginary individuals.

Image source: tripadvisor.cn

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxiOdrVreSQ

Related reading

What to Know About Visiting Nagoro, Japan’s Bizarre Doll Village - Perchance to Roam
Nagoro: Japan's Village Of Dolls - Outlook India
Explore the hidden Japanese village where dolls replace the departed - The Verge
Nagoro, Village of Dolls - SHIKOKU TOURS

Shōdoshima - Island of Small Beans, 23rd largest island in Japan

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 06:33:09 +0000

Shōdoshima or Shōdo Island is an island located in the Inland Sea of Japan. The name means "Island of Small Beans". There are two towns on the island: Tonoshō and Shōdoshima, composing the district of Shōzu. The island was the first area of Japan to successfully grow olives, and it is sometimes known as "Olive Island".

Shōdoshima is the 23rd largest island in Japan, and the second largest in the Seto Inland Sea. It is home to Dofuchi Strait, the world's narrowest strait, 9.93 m (32.58 ft) meters at its narrowest.

Frequent ferries run to the island from Takamatsu, Himeji, Teshima and Okayama. Ferries run infrequently to Osaka and Kōbe as well.

Shōdoshima is a popular destination for domestic tourism in Japan. In addition to natural features such as the Dobuchi Strait, the Angel Road, Shōdoshima Olive Park and the Kanka Gorge, Shōdoshima is famous as the setting for the antiwar novel Twenty-Four Eyes, written by the native author Sakae Tsuboi and later turned twice into a film (1954 and 1987), as well as a television special. [source]

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8coumGHt33Q

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Nagoro Doll Village - more dolls than humans, Iya Valley

Shōdoshima - Island of Small Beans, 23rd largest island in Japan