Okuharima Scarecrow Village Yasutomi

Friends from our previous stay in Japan invited us to check out Okuharima Scarecrow Village. There is no convenient way to get there by public transportation so it was nice that we were able to go in their car. This area is actually further north from one of my elementary schools! 

We first stopped by Harubaru, a beautiful restaurant along the way. Both Blake and I couldn't resist and ordered their sashimi set which came with salad, rice, miso soup and tsukemono.  

There are over 100 scarecrows in the area, all made by the same person – Masato Okaue. The scarecrows are spread out throughout the area, and each doing mundane things like attending school or tending to the fields. It's all free and you can just roam around the area taking in the hardwork of the artist and the details they put into the scarecrows. 

Afterwards we got into the car and drove bit more to see the Furui family residence. It is one of Japan's oldest private homes. It is said to be from the late Muromachi period (1338-1573).