Doll Village (Nagaro, Japan) - The strangest place in Japan

In this episode of Weird World Explorer, I venture out to Nagaro. This little visited town in the middle of nowhere is populated almost entirely by dolls.
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Music:
"019 Ffuge No Five" by Miranda taylor and Mike Hunchback
Severed Lips Recording
Used with permission of artist. Available on Free music archive under a creative commons attribution.
"Ghost Processional", "Mining by Moonlight", "There is Romance"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@WeirdExplorer]

What do you think: Scary or Heartwarming?

[@apollo1415]

Weird Explorer both

[@swamprose1]

Not gonna lie it's pretty spooky

[@elmadicine]

mostly sad. you can't fault people for moving to bigger cities for work, or family, or to live a more fulfilling life... but it does come at the cost of little towns/villages like this fading away into nothingness as their loyal residents slowly die off. at least Nagaro has someone who's putting work into keeping it friendly and presentable, which is more than can be said for most... so I guess a little bit heartwarming too

[@iel3070]

For some reason I had very nostalgic feeling about the dolls. Indeed Heartwarming

[@jbeargrr]

Neither, just odd. And sad.

[@5ch3m4]

that makes me so sad. it’s very heartwarming. she just made the dolls so that many visitors will come and look at the place. she made them to replace the people that lived in this once lively village. she spent so much time making those dolls, it hurts my heart. i’d love to settle down there. i wish i can. idk but i feel so heartbroken for some reason ;(

[@karma4033]

No offense but I’d never wanna live there

[@laminsanyang2533]

@@karma4033 same

[@maddawg5016]

@@laminsanyang2533 theirs like no body their just dolls

[@shottysteve]

WOW. one person. like someone else said, could be more creepy/scary in person, but that's really amazing that a SINGLE person did all of this.

[@WeirdExplorer]

amazing isn't it. she's devoted herself to making her small town into art. What a wonderful way to honor her friends and family.

[@ChristianBrandoni]

You silly, nobody moved or died. They are still there.... ...... ... ... trapped in the dolls.

[@silky205]

Scary point...

[@HoodJesse69]

👁️👄👁️

[@sucilaila8015]

Boom

[@kathleenejoypineda674]

No

[@kathleenejoypineda674]

The maker of it just did one liked his father

[@elizabethshaw734]

I can't say that I blame her if she's all alone. If I didn't have medical issues and need medication regularly I would move to that little Village of dolls. I don't think it's as scary as it is lonely when somebody is lonely they do something like this and it makes them feel less alone. Nobody cares she's way out in the middle of nowhere. I think it's sort of lovely. But I'm weird just like you are! :-) I hope they don't destroy it when she dies.

[@T--vu6uz]

*Now on my 8th year in Japan (living out in the rice fields in Agano City in Niigata). Trust me, if you're not OK with time mostly on your own, the isolation can be suffocating. Same as anywhere, it's vital to establish a strong circle of friends, but that's something that would be very difficult in a town with an aging population of 35 people. You would get bored very easily, and you would have to have a very strong will to stick it out for more than a year. It really is like putting yourself in solitary confinement after a while. That's why I started a family!*

[@hibaby9379]

She is very talented, her dolls would fetch a high price in the art world, I'm impressed with her skills..I hope she and her husband leave from time to time. , It was peaceful though!. Thanks Jared!.

[@daystoppol1592]

No.

[@hibaby9379]

@@daystoppol1592 No what?.

[@ItsMeLee25]

I really hope that someday, people will move in to this town, and live in it. I think it's a very beautiful and peaceful town. Japan is a very beautiful country. 💖

[@WeirdExplorer]

Maybe once the current generation gets older, they'll start moving back into the country side...

[@T--vu6uz]

​@@WeirdExplorer They already are old, and with the infrastructure and lack of employment opportunities there really is no reason to move there. Visiting is fine, sure, but people left to live in the city for a reason.

[@nytrodioxide]

Plot twist: they come alive at night.

[@catmagedsproductions1998]

Plot twist:they will be in your dre...'.-.'? $*#&(-8'6#8@*#^$67##&#$6$6$&#8/''8##70-"8"//9/9"/9"9"9"9^:#9&^#:'c#$6#*'67"*#; $&$&$*$&&#7@^$8'';'&'8"&' em $:@""8#:8#8^#:8"7^

[@catmagedsproductions1998]

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[@ssovereign8022]

It maybe true

[@illbeinyourdreams5259]

That's sounds like toy story but with extra steps

[@OkieDokieSmokie]

@@illbeinyourdreams5259 maybe a little spirited away too

[@bilwisss]

its pretty and clearly done out caring and respect, its beautiful. you need to ask yourself why such places become, why did watts towers become? art happens, in many forms.

[@kingofmystery1135]

It's pretty sad, when you think about it. Only a few people still live there, while everyone else moved to bigger cities, so they can make a living. She's one of the few that still live there, and she's managed to make enough dolls to repopulate the area (in a depressing, but wholesome way). It hurts my little fragment of a soul that I still have. I know how it feels to be lonely (it hurts). I respect her, and hope that she, along with that little village and the last few that live there, goes down in the history books. It's a story that I believe needs to be remembered.

[@rozzyricky8514]

I'm very impressed at how she spent her most of her time making hundreds of dolls.. she's a talented woman, like wow. I admit, i feel kinda creepy tho lol.

[@allianaalejandro9797]

I think this will be a popular tourist spot in the future. Thanks for featuring this place.. Finally now we know that this kind of place exists.

[@WeirdExplorer]

I hope so! so many areas of Japan are becoming ghost towns.

[@AlbinoAxolotl]

That was a great video! It was so sweet to see how much she cares about the village that she lives in! Thanks for making a respectful, interesting piece on this place! I can see how it would be easy to sensationalize this kind of thing into something spoopy but she clearly did all this hard work out of love. I’m glad you made the effort and shared it it all of us!

[@shisyamo2384]

I used to live in Tokushima prefecture in Shikoku when I was little and about 3 or 4 times a year, I had a chance to see this village from the car that my parents drive me to visit the public bath near there. I remember when it got dark, I was very scared to see those dolls illuminated by the headlights of the car. It is wonderful to remember old memories and get to know what the doll village really is like this. Thank you.

[@RibbonVintageGirl]

I want to know the story behind the wedding dolls. I think that one has some sentimentality within it that even words cannot fully express them. I know one of the doll guests is based off of the artist's mother.

[@WeirdExplorer]

yes I believe it started with her father and went from there. I only could speak with her briefly, it would be incredible to hear her whole story

[@victorkayeknives1821]

I think this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing, great videos as always!

[@RB-ls2fo]

How do the dolls not rot? They all look newish

[@sneakersheik2418]

Wow! It *IS* beautiful, scary and strange. So cool! Definitely making the world a more interesting place. So glad you did this video! I love all the great shots, too, along with the history. Thank you.

[@robertsmith20022]

Amazing what loss of life, love and loneliness can do to someone. She became inspired to fill the entire town again…..wow!

[@jamielauro2623]

The lady seems so lonely I just want to give her a hug

[@mohabir]

Very talented woman

[@CheapCreep]

That was beautiful. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

[@noahgeorge67]

Just found your channel, your videos are some of the most unique and interesting things I’ve seen on KZbin. Thank for for sharing your weird explorations!

[@lukosius68]

I can only imagine the feeling, walking casually after dark on the street, only to feel all those DEAD EYES starring at you !!

[@kelseyf2619]

This is so wonderful, i can’t believe such a whimsical place exists tucked away, i guess being tucked away helps keep it so peaceful and preserved

[@CutestHeidi]

Thanks for the video, this was so cool!

[@deadvelveteer]

This gives me weird existential-crisis-like feelings that I haven't had before and, for some reason, I kinda love it.

[@MannerlyGem]

Really great video, I hope you make more like it!

[@sinviper4248]

Very interesting! Love this channel and your content! 👌

[@yokab]

That is really sad tbh, hearwarming but sad

[@shuu7524]

I don't think it's scary or amazing it's actually sad . Because when she got back here she was shocked that some of her friends and her relatives either died or moved away so because of her loneliness she did this 💔💔 she needs to move on !!

[@davidwilcox7]

I felt this was really sad too. Like a way of dealing with her grief that the once vibrant town and people she knew and loves are gone.

[@anthonyking5818]

Wow, I haven't come to your channel in quite a few months, but it seems you've gained quite a few subscribers since then! Congratulations and keep up the hard work, now if you'll excuse me I better go binge your videos now.

[@theversatilehunter3651]

this is a great video, you should do more like this!

[@jharananath416]

Its like she's got a hobby decorating her home with dolls😊 she's so talented

[@robrod7120]

Crazy, Ive heard a lot about this place and its interesting to see it a little bit demystified

[@ncooty]

Sweet, creepy, and cool. I dig that lady. Japan is great for craftsmanship.

[@xbob808x]

Shikoku is great !!! Living in Japan for 4 years and Ive never been anywhere better. Great islands and udon! :)

[@thesecretthirdthing]

You're a great channel, thanks for uploading.

[@marialiyubman]

I’m glad you linked to this video in the Iceland video, apparently I missed it and I’ve seen all your travel videos… This story about a woman turning an abandoned ghost town into a magical doll town is such a Japanese thing to do, it warms my heart. 😍 P.S. I’m watching this while enjoying my first Bokksu (it’s a box of Japanese snacks, first time I’ve ever done something like that..). You should totally contact them and ask for a sponsorship because their products are INCREDIBLE, and I heard about them on KZbin myself. And it’s worth every cent.

[@ravemusicplaylist4915]

I felt so sad when i watch this. Thinking those older people lonelt, alone, :(

[@BigbyBear]

awesome video! very informative!

[@shanthoshkumar2443]

Trust me I will die of heart attack if I see these dolls in a home at night 😂🤣😂🤣

[@iSpeciaIist]

Rumour has it when night falls the dolls come alive and go about their business as if nothing ever happened

[@MeAuntieNora]

What a great surprise this was to show up in my sub feed. Reminds me a bit of old Kurt Bell videos, especially given the Japan setting, or like Atlas Obscura. Of course, with a style that's all your own.

[@2.7petabytes]

I just checked out the shirts you have!!! Just preordered the Mandrake shirt. So cool!!!!

[@PowerTom286]

I think it's funny and heartwarming, keeps out the lonelyness. I like your channel. Sincerely, tom, from germany

[@travisburkley23]

Loved this ❤❤

[@scottmilligan108]

Awesome video!!

[@Floccinaucinihilipilificator]

Well, I'm adding this to my list of places to see, Thanks.

[@Kikilang60]

Great video. Everybody knows the population is going down in Japan, but when see the whole Island looks abandoned.

[@ilovelulybts]

So unique and beautiful!!!!

[@aimannazri6472]

great video... keep doing this

[@marshacartwright6072]

So Wonderful, to see what can become when let people can be SELF expressive in their creativity leave me alone.

[@sharksgrr]

the dolls are actually pretty cute!!!! also lol @ the fellow doing backwards walking/vlogging (?) at the scramble crossing.

[@WeirdExplorer]

Yeah he was filming for some news show. That crossing is B roll for literally every news spot about tokyo.

[@jamielauro2623]

Excellent documentary the beginning cracked me up!!!

[@WeirdExplorer]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jamielauro2623]

@@WeirdExplorer I really did!!! Thanks 🙂

[@fairy-yd6fy]

this is pure talent, but at the same time, pure sadness and loneliness

[@mariakasstan]

This is so beautuful!

[@mickymacky9607]

This makes me cry it's so kind

[@JulesWouldKnow]

I can’t even find this creepy it’s just so incredible like the amount of talent it takes is so impressive to me

[@apollo1415]

interesting one love your videos

[@ruffgook]

can you imagine your car breaks down middle of the night and decide to walk into that village for help

[@dumaikonia2371]

It is lil scary but more to appreciate.Thanks to that hardworking lady for showing us somethin new.

[@subohitariq7633]

Its amazing she did incredible hard work to make dolls wow

[@ejais]

it would be so cool to see a picture of the person she created the doll to be like and maybe a write up about their life or person or even what they were known for in the village.

[@nooNexee]

so awesome. i would think its a place to get away from all the city noise.

[@killingfields6599]

I would really like to hang around this island. Seems so peaceful and would be really fun to ride a bike around

[@MrSplonger]

Truly amazing..

[@Dockhead]

would love to see more of japan! I dont honestly know why 8 people would feel the need to thumbs down :(

[@WeirdExplorer]

Those people are upset that this isn't a video about fruit. What can you do? I do have more Japan videos planned for the future.

[@kyrab7914]

Really fits the phrase "hauntingly beautiful"

[@silverlaptop2022]

I think it's BRILLIANT!!!😊

[@stevenperry9762]

Thanks again Brother, what sublimely odd and talented creatures we are as a species, very poignant, and just way cool!

[@lucianaann3282]

I don't think that was scary,maybe a little but it kind like heartwarming

[@WeirdExplorer]

agreed :)

[@keerakiatkaewkaemket6964]

it like : all doll is a represent a people that once live in this village and it remind you that how lovely this village it was before... that really give me a sad or lonely vibe like : you look around you neighbourhood that you grow up and now it just a empty street, a river that once always has a group of uncle that always fishing/talking, a group of old men/woman just hanging out sit and talk, some farmer that always treat their crop or else it just pure loneliness i really hope that government try to support this village for become popular with their unique noticeable just as a "doll village" not a "haunted doll village" of course it still giving some creep but for her it just pure loneliness and sad.

[@maple494]

Heard of this village from CNA Insider. Poor people, can't repopulate the village cuz only has 27 residents and the youngest one is 55-years-old. She made the dolls because she is lonely, the dolls are based on people who used to live there, based on people who've moved away, or died.

[@Heruchan19]

Why did people leave there?

[@pangetko22]

It is really. Cool for me i love dolls

[@yourworstnightmareever538]

i haven’t been there yet.i must go scare myself

[@DarklightSpirit]

general information about the island plus more detailed one after that is great, but i jsut think its quite obvious that its the least populated one, due to its size hah, or did you mean density wise?

[@WeirdExplorer]

Yes! It has the least population density of the major islands. Its also in the least populated prefecture on the island and 6th (If I remember correctly) least populated prefecture in all of Japan. I did a bunch of digging on it, but left the stats to a minimum in the video for pacing. But yeah.. basically this area is Nowheresville.

[@XiaosChannel]

apparently, this is not the only "kakashi no sato", another is in himeji, which is also quite close to me -- i live in kobe

[@WeirdExplorer]

What!? That's so interesting. It seems like they saw what the woman in Nagaro was doing and copied her to try and bring more people to their village. I wonder how she feels about it? I've been curious if there is a history of dolls being used as a replacement for a loved one in Japan. On the same trip I saw a woman on the train who bought a seat for a doll. It was a little boy doll and she was talking to it like it was her son.

[@percy_alt]

Omg this is kinda like the thing of nightmares but also nice

[@qpw4444]

I would love to have one of those dolls made after me

[@essajazaeri4043]

It’s more depressing than scary,but i definitely wouldn’t walk alone at night there!

[@_star_moon.]

The entire story that I know about this: The woman that lived there as a kid loved everyone she knew , but when she came back she found out her father was sick and few time later he had passed. She made a doll of him and put her dad’s old clothes on it. A friend of the father thought it was actually him and said “hello” she found out that so she hand made everyone she knew with love and care , yes she still lives there making more people with there own clothes that they left or made clothes that look like them. But that’s all I know

[@_star_moon.]

Yea don’t say that I wrote a entire essay or say hate.

[@fuzzymilk]

That's pretty damn cool

[@rutvejwalekar6466]

I wish to visit Dolls Village, Nagaro (Japan).

[@nivishanova1140]

Beautiful scary village.....

[@erikjohnson9223]

How did she keep fabric from mildewing etc in a presumably wet and humid climate like Japan?

[@adamsolomon8346]

These deep questions bring me to the youtube comment section :)

[@AlbinoAxolotl]

Erik Johnson I’m curious about that as well! I imagine she just takes very good care of the dolls she makes and replaces them and cleans them when necessary. I’d love to know if anyone else has real info about that though!

[@thebluenoble6175]

Also! 40K Jared is my guy!

[@fastandbulbous6282]

I am freaked out. Send help.

[@peterseddon1003]

I think I would like to live in that village more than anywhere else in Japan. It seems so peaceful and there is beautiful scenery surrounding it.

[@WeirdExplorer]

I hear there are vacancies...

[@JoeyMcCart]

Awesome

[@rebeccamoon6709]

wow interesting place .

[@HieuChiLe]

Imagine how peaceful living there would be.

[@angelinegeorge275]

I feel.this is an excellent way to.invite tourists to visit this valley of dolls. If more visitors come it with good for the town n perhaps a hotel restaurant n soveneir centre could be set up This will bring growth to this town.

[@navykaze6660]

Is it?

[@huntergreen6444]

Cool

[@SoPhie-cd3nl]

This is really sad😓

[@jbeargrr]

How odd. The dolls kind of remind me of Fraggles.

[@blackmule]

I wonder what happens when it rains or when the weather gets bad They look in really good condition, does she keep moving them of gets them inside to protect them?

[@WeirdExplorer]

It started raining when we were leaving and she moved some of them. I think a lot of the dolls stay out. she probably replaces them if they get damaged.

[@user-eu6km3ei2d]

Soooooooo cool

[@smith89930]

i find the dolls rly cute like u have a huge family that lasts forever

[@Korksbebig]

Yen That's a no from me chief

[@deepalichandrawal5493]

Don't know why but i have this feeling that they all go alive by the midnight.. by looking at their expression

[@SteelGnat]

I visited this town with my 2 friends and went during the summer their actually alot of tourist when I went I counted about 16 foreigners and 11 japanese visiters it now like a they say depending on the season about more then a hundred visit a year