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Local Points
The scarecrow dolls of Nagoro are spread out across village, with the majority being located in a 150 meter long stretch between Nagoro Lower Bus Stop
and the bridge that goes over to the former Elementary School.
Walking along the road between here is a unique experience.
Near the bridge going to the school is the old kindergarden
with its blue pointed roof. It is full of scarecrows and serves as Ms Ayano's workshop. During the day this building is usually open and it is great to go inside and sit amongst the scarecrows for a bizarre photo.
Across the bridge is the former Elementary School
which is also filled with scarecrow children and their teachers. Going in here is pretty amazing (there are two floors of classrooms and a whole gym of scarecrows). You are free to do so as long as its open. On weekends and holidays the building is probably unlocked, however during the week it is usually closed.
Out near the main Nagoro Bus Stop
there are only a few scarecrows here and there. A set of public toilets are located here. A bit further up the road and across the bridge is the Mt Miune Trailhead
with plenty of parking, a small shelter room, and another set of public toilets.
Access by Car
By car, its pretty easy to reach Nagoro Scarecrow Village.
It is located along Rt 439
and unlike other Iya villages, it is only spread out along the roadside (the village does not climb up the mountainside).
Its about a 20 minute drive to/from Lower Ochiai Village
and about a 6 minute drive to the Oku-Iya Niju Kazurabashi
(Double Vine Bridges).
You can park either near the Nagoro Lower Bus Stop
and then walk up through the village along the road, or park at the blue roof old Kindergarden
which is located across the bridge from the old Elementary School.
Access by Bus & Foot
There are two bus stops in Nagoro. The Nagoro Lower Bus Stop
is probably where to go to see the majority of the scarecrows, and from here you can walk up to the main Nagoro Bus Stop.
The main Shikoku Kotsu Buses from Nishi-Iya, Oboke, and/or Ikeda do not come out this far, so to get here from there you will need to transfer onto the Local Municipal Bus (main transfer points are either Kubo Bus Stop
or Ochiai-bashi Bus Stop
or Kyojo Bus Stop
).
**
Do note that this is the final regularly scheduled daily bus stop on the Local Bus Line, and the final two buses of the day that go back down the valley to Kubo do not connect
to one of the main buses going back to Nishi-Iya or Oboke.
On weekends, holidays, and for several weeks a year in spring, summer, and autumn two daily Local Buses continue past Nagoro and go to Niju Kazurabashi Bus Stop
for the Double Vine Bridges and then Tsurugisan Bus Stop
for Mt Tsurugi. If you are visiting on a day when these buses do not operate, you can walk up to the Double Vine Bridges in about 1 hour.