Village Of The Dolls

Image: Nadia Shira Cohen

Once the village of Nagaro in Japan had a population of 300 people but by 2019 only 27 residents remained. Tsukimi Ayano,who was born in Nagaro decided to bring the village back to life. 

"An old woman tends a roadside grave, while another rests in a wheelchair. Construction workers smoke cigarettes on break while others wait at the bus stop. A father pulls a wagon full of children. A mischief maker shakes chestnuts from a tree."

These figures are some of the 350 life-size dolls made by Ms Ayano and her friends to replace those who are gone. The dolls now outnumber living villagers by more than 10 to 1. They are staged in various scenes evoking the real people who once populated the village. The regional government sponsors a Scarecrow Festival for tourists each October.

Read more:  The New York Times

This video takes you on a visit through the town: