Park • Kubota, Ando, Ikoma District, Nara 639-1064, Japan
In the rural landscape of Nara, there is a truly strange park. Stepping in, you might feel like you've wandered into another world. First, a giant statue of Prince Shotoku leaps into view. Its presence is overwhelming, as if the founding ancestor had revived here.
Looking around the area near the prince's statue, there are hundreds of scarecrow dolls lined up. With their vivid colors and adorable gestures, you can't help but feel like smiling. However, upon closer inspection, each doll seems to have a somewhat eerie smile.
The scarecrow dolls are guardians of the fields and harvest gods. However, what is here are not just ordinary dolls. The emotions imbued in each doll exude humor and eeriness. The contrast with the surrounding rural landscape creates the bizarre charm of this place.
In this Scarecrow Park, the more you look, the more surprises await. From the peculiar coexistence of the statue of Prince Shotoku and the scarecrow dolls to the eccentric art pieces standing in the fields, you won't be able to take your eyes off. Why not get lost in this strange world where you might forget the passage of time?