Off the Map: Inside Japan's Eeriest Hidden Village
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
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Deep, somewhere in the middle of Japan! Roads that I can only describe as 'harrowing' and a scary abandoned village of dolls. Millie and I are off on an adventure in Japan in our camping car to explore abandoned houses and abondoned villages in Japan.
If you are new to the channel, my name is Chani and I am a middle aged Australia who was stuck in a rut and moved to Japan to live. I bought an Akiya or empty house and started renovating. I'd love it if you joined the community.
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I look forward to seeing you in the next video 😀
@ChaniJapan
#akiya #abandonded #japan
👋Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code: chani. You can download Saily app or go to saily.com/chani
I've said this to several of my friends, but the more I learn about really rural Japan, especially in the mountains, the more it reminds me of the trials and tribulations of Appalachia here in the US as people move away and towns become smaller as they look for jobs and opportunity. Thank you for this video, that bridge would make me go slow too!
I got so excited when I saw the thumbnail as I've seen this village across multiple channels but I knew that you would bring your own unique perspective. Its a shame we couldn't meet the lady who makes the dolls, shes such a vibrant character 😊
I love how Millie was able to enjoy the village with you, what a good girl!
You earned a bravery award for actually crossing the vine bridge, I thought you were going to turn around😮 💪
確かに、「昔はこんな感じでにぎわってたんですけどねー」みたいなかつての村人の声が聞こえてきそうな感じがして、もの悲しさを漂わせてますね。
This eerie ghost village could be in America's Deep South. It’s spooky even in the daytime and I wouldn’t dare go there after dark. Thank you very much.
You’re one gutsy Aussie girl, Chani.
I said sadness at the same moment you did. It is a real example of the depopulation concerns across Japan. Thank you for your brave exploration of beautiful Shikoku.
It's sad to see so many mountain villages shrinking. It really makes you think about the future of rural Japan.
It's a bummer that you weren't able to meet Ayano-San, she's a hoot and she really adores her kakashi dolls, including a kakashi of her mother.. Great video, by the way - and Millie is kawaii!
I would have loved to have met her and had a conversation 🩷
Interesting, creepy and sad all at the same time. Like you say, probably someone trying to keep alive the spirit of the village's golden years. We all try to cling onto happy memories, but the past has gone and cannot be rekindled or resurrected. Best to keep moving forward and to make new memories that will become new golden years. Thanks for sharing
Great video. I love seeing these explorations of the less-travelled areas of Japan. Tokyo Lens did a video about this village about 4 years ago and talked extensively to the woman who made and maintained the kakashii dolls.
I feel as you do. The village has such a melancholy feel to it. Very creepy. Millie is becoming a seasoned camper, that’s cute.
This is so interesting! A few years ago we travelled through a small town in Tasmania and these dolls were in front of a house - it was during Halloween. We always wondered about that. You are very brave to travel those roads! It is wonderful that Millie can join you!😊
It's interesting to see how different cultures have similar practices. The dolls were so well made with even their faces looking so different.
Absolutely beautiful, that bridge would scare me too.Millie is so spoilt... she's having a great life. 😊
Such a fascinating video! Yes, the scarecrow village was very sad! But, I loved seeing Millie and the beautiful waterfall!
What an unusual village. It is sad and a bit creepy but at the same time I think it's a bit uplifting in that some artists had such passion to spend hundreds of hours making this homage to their ancestors and times past in an isolated rural village.
Millie is the perfect chilled travelling and camping buddy.
I'm loving your adventures Chani. 😊
I watched a documentary on Japan not long ago, and this village was highlighted -- the images have stuck with me -- it's profoundly sad, yet a lovely memorial to the souls who once lived there. Chani, you were very brave to traverse those steep and narrow roads!! I'm enjoying travelling vicariously through Japan with you -- I would love to visit again someday.
It was sad to walk through a town and not see a real person. I was happy when I met the older man suddently! He was very friendly.
I felt a sense of sadness seeing all those scarecrows and imagining life back when it was populated. I also sensed an air of uneasiness at the lack of any real people. Millie is such a good girl and loves to travel 🧳😻🐾. She looked very content in her little princess carriage 😂. Great video Chani, thank you 😊
Millie is really getting good at travel! 😽
Have you read Alex Kerr's book "Lost Japan"? It's about his life in Shikoku, where he bought a house in the Iya Valley, and later in Kyoto, where he became a well respected antiques dealer. He wrote the original in Japanese and the English version is a translation, because he couldn't translate his own Japanese back into English, which I thought was very interesting. Millie is such a trooper. Again kudos for taking her along on these adventures.
9:00 This river and waterfall looks divine indeed.
Definitely eerie and very unusual. Quite an adventure with the narrow roads and the climbing altitude, and then the very dramatic vine bridges. Wow! A very interesting trip. I would’ve liked more company than just Millie! Although Millie makes for a good snuggle at bedtime!
It’s so sad that the rural and secluded communities are missing this generation .
We were in Shikoku in 1985. My husband would love to go beck and visit the temples. ( I think time has foiled us ) but in really happy to see your views of the island.
Thank you my dear… I feel quite emotional right now…❤️
That was quite a drive getting to the scarecrow village. Don't think I would have done that. If you could imagine all those scarecrows as real people, what a lovely village that would be. Thanks for showing this Chani
Millie is a sweetheart 🩷. Bless her! ✨✨✨
Eerie scarecrow village, but the scenery is beautiful. You are so brave to cross that bridge with Milly in tote, and to spend the night. Big admiration 👍🏽
A friend told me about the village, it seems to be an attraction for tourists. He told me there's a good baker close by. It is a whimsical idea to show how empty the villages are with all the young people living in big cities. Those bridges are all over the world, don't be afraid, if the locals use them it is safe. It is so special to see you do all with Millie 😄
It's cool but sad at the same time.
Very interesting!
Love the vibe of this video. So cool, so haunting. I would like to learn more about the village :)
いつもありがとう、チャニさん！
This is an incredible video depicting an old deserted town, sad in a way but very thought provoking one. Thank you again for taking me to the places I didn’t know existed and would not likely have a chance of visiting although I grew up in Japan. What a treat 👻
Wow! I had read about this village some time ago. Glad you got to visit it in person with Miss Millie. I would imagine that it is both creepy and sad as the artist's creations are a kind of homage to all those who used to live there. Thanks for bringing us along, Chani!
Very sad but interesting episode, Chani! I enjoyed it very much and I admire the efforts of the Japanese to preserve the memory of a bygone era! I know, Japan is on a different level!
Such imagination in setting up these scarecrows in the village.
Love Millie as a seasoned traveller with you.
friend just sent me your channel yesterday... ended up watching every video on it ! loving the journey can't wait to see where you go next!
Milly reminds me of the cat that travels in the backpack in the movie Argylle. What a great travel companion you have. Thank you Chani for this interesting video 😊
She is the best travel companion ever! 🩷
Beautiful Countryside 👍
It's truly stunning!
I love a good day trip and this adventure seems wonderful 🌻
I felt quite sad to see all the scarecrows..definitely sense of loss of those lovely people of the community. Love Millie..she’s adorable 🥰
It was an incredible site of a village that once was....
Super spooky and also sad seeing all the dolls. Great video Chani 🤗
🎃
The bridge looked super scary, but kind of magical too 😱
I just came back from Japan we really wanted to go the Idya Valley but it wasn’t possible with the time we had, there’s so much to see in Japan so we chose to go to Kii-Katsuura (Nashi falls) which is about 3 hours from wakayama on the train, beautiful area. Millie is a lucky cat to be out travelling with you and able to keep you company she seems to be enjoying herself
Thanks
Very kind of you ❤️ Thank you for the support 👋
I’m surprised this video hasn’t got more attention, it was SUPER interesting 😊
Thanks for watching 😊
It was great to see your perspective on these Chani. Norm on the Tokyo Lens channel has visited a couple of times and i remember him saying similar things. I imagine it would be eirie to walk through at night. 😅
Wow amazing views!
Good video! Japan is an amazing country. Thanks.
Great video. Thank you. Who is creating all the scarecrows, and opening up things like the school? It must cost money to keep it going, so how is it paying for itself?
Ooh, that village would creep me out! I’m such a scaredy cat. But the waterfall and clear, clear water were beautiful. Well worth the trip across the bridge. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.
Thanks for sharing your adventures. It’s almost like museum with all the scarecrows and sad, there are facilities not utilised 💛
Yes, I thought similar, like a museum.
As always a really great video! The scarecrow village made me feel incredibly sad...
Loving your video Chani! I’ve been binging all your videos in one go. It was that addictive! And ofc already subscribed🎉 its kinda eerie tho. Since a lot of beliefs do state that human dolls or statue can be the vessel or medium that hold something ominous. Especially somewhere semi abandoned. Besides the kakashi, the nature is breathtaking. Def somewhere i seriously would consider to settle down
Wow what a eerie but beautiful place, not sure I’d be brave enough to visit alone! I love those natural waterfall/hiking areas around Japan
The ghost dolls are wonderful. What a good idea. I don’t think they are scary but a terrific memorial.
It is great to see you out and about exploring unique areas of Japan. My wife and I love to visit Japan and have been blessed to visit the last two years. Our next step is to spend a month or so there and really get out and explore. I think we need to learn more Japanese first.
I'm glad you will exlore more of Japan. There is so much to see away from the tourist spots.
I saw a video about the village a few years ago. There was an elderly woman who had lived there who made all the dolls. It's sad to think she might also be gone now. I hope she just wasn't around that day. You are right though, there is a feeling of sadness there.
Wow.Thank you for sharing. We have friends visiting while we’re over for a business trip in late March 2025 and Shikoku looks like a great place to visit. Thank you for sharing.
It does have a sad feeling. Thank you for sharing this 💜
I imagine the scarecrows outside exposed to the elements degrade quickly. Someone must be upkeeping them or replacing if required.
I saw a YT video of the lady that made the scarecrow people. She is lovely and creative and a local of course. She loves meeting the people that visits. Hopefully we can go this year or next year. Looking forward to it.
Amazing!! It must be a lot of work to maintain all the scarecrows and the museum-like atmosphere in the village. I also sense a feeling of loss, sadness... and the aura of lively people And this vine-bridge, I think I would have been too scared to cross over.^^ Shikoku is really interesting.
So interesting! I really think Shikoku is a hidden treasure 😀
Creepy village. Amazing and sad that so many figures were created to make a ghost village. Amazing views, but I guess it’s no wonder that the village was abandoned if work was difficult to find, and being so isolated and difficult to reach. Well done for crossing that bridge, that took a lot of courage. Beautiful video, as always, thank you for sharing. I only discovered your site yesterday and I’m binge-watching all your videos. I’m in awe of your courage and determination, and enjoying your calm and thoughtful presentation style, it’s so very relaxing to spend time with you. 🤗💐
Millie is a superstar! There is just nothing like a Ragdoll. I have three - we used to breed them, and I still have three, who are all teenagers now. I loved the vine bridge. Japan is such a magical place - I can't believe I was there just a few weeks ago for the first and possibly only time. I would love to go back...
It was interesting, artistic, and sad all wrapped up in one to see the empty town. Thinking about what once was and how lovely it could be again if there were only inhabitants again. Thank you for sharing this unique scarecrow town. Millie is such a good traveler.
I agree, Millie is such a good sport! 💕 The village was unusual and fascinating. It feels stopped in time.
Very interesting village ❤
I'm glad you take us on all these interesting trips and adventures. It's really beautiful there! It's sad that I guess it's so remote that, over time, people eventually began to move away to find jobs/more opportunity. It's nice that they have it as a visitor area, though. (I also enjoy all your other vids about your life in Japan, as well!)
Definitely looks like the town has set the dolls up like a frozen memory of the past 🥀
Hi Chani really nice video and enjoy how you explain scenery to us thank you
Hi Chani. Although an interesting place to visit, it was super sad. Reminds me of the ghost towns in Colorado. Well minus the scarecrows! Always grateful for your videos. 🎉
I couldn’t finish watching. I felt such an intense sense of sadness and eeriness, even thru a video.
OMG spooky !! They must have so many vacant houses in the village !!!! 😱
So interesting Thank you ☺️ 😊
Wow, Chani.....that was creepy! LOL! I would feel very funny walking around the school with all the scarecrows in normal daily life situations, but knowing they are really just .....scarecrows! Great trip, but I will settle for watching your video. That mountain road did not look good. Thanks for "taking one for the team" and filming your adventure for us to enjoy at home.
Scary road for sure! 😅
Hi Chani, what a beautiful view.
Sad at the same time feels very very sad watching it.
Millie really enjoyed her camping trip 😍.
Thank you Chani for taking us out on your road trip.
Beautiful and sad place 😢 fair play to the people who put up all the work to create the scarecrow village.😊
I think one lady did it all by herself.
@@ChaniJapan Ayano-San!!!!
@@ChaniJapan that is even more impressive.👏👏👏❤️
The scenery reminds me of the movie Spirited Away a little!
Too bad there are not people living in that scarecrow village. It was sad. Beautiful place to live. Beautiful country.
Hi Chani we will be in Japan in April 2025 for 3 months and just downloaded Saily on my phone and for sure will use it Thank you again
Chani, I read ”Business Insider” this morning about you. How did it come about? Can you blog about it?
Oh, my husband is enjoying Katakana lesson that you created. More lessons coming after Katakana?
I'm impressed with your success even though you have only been in Japan for less than 2 years.
頑張ってね～
Yes, very sad about the scarecrow village. It's a shame that there were no historical photos of what it used to be like inhabited. Very brave going up that mountain pass. I couldn't have done it as I don't like heights. Beautiful waterfall/camping sight. You're very blessed to have such beautiful places to visit!
It was a bit of a treck to get there but worth the drive!
That scarecrow village was creepy and sad. It would be strange to go there alone. It is amazing that they are not valdalized, which says something for Japan. I have a fear of open heights and could not have crossed that bridge! Thank you for this great video! So interesting.
It’s such a unique and peaceful place. 🙏
The village was very sad to me, and especially the gymnasium where someone had taken great care to portray a day-in-the-life scene that the village once had. To me, it wasn't creepy or eerie, it was just sad.
The natural beauty around the vine bridge was amazing, and it reminded me of some of the waterfalls I saw when I was traveling and hiking throughout Australia.
Being able to see down to the water as you walk across a bridge is PARALYZING if you have vertigo or fear of heights. I live in San Francisco, and the first time (1992) I visited here as a tourist, and walked across the Golden Gate bridge, I walked across just as slowly as you did, trying desperately NOT to look down at the hundreds of feet below at the bitterly cold water. I had nothing in my hands, like the camera you had, nor did I have my beloved pet on my back. It took me forever to get across and then back again. Plus, it was so windy. You were SO BRAVE to go across with such large gaps between each stick of wood!! Nicely done!
Thanks! I did feel a little paralyzed about half way when I realised that the gaps were so big and the drop so far 😬
Interesting coincidence - this village came up on Geoguesser daily just yesterday. I had made a mental note to look into it further, and then your vlog came up today. Thanks!
Wow what good timing 😀
Ok - finally able to watch this video now that the thumbnail pic has been changed. I don’t understand why I could not click and watch it when it was showing the scarecrow dolls. I watched them in the video just fine. It might have been the video was posted around Halloween and my sweet beautiful dog had just recently passed and I was too full of sorrow to watch something haunting and sad. You were so brave to make it across that vine bridge. Please give Millie a big squeeze from me.
和歌山県から四国へのアクセスできて、羨ましい。和歌山の北山川 観光筏下りは行ってみたいな〜
Very sad with empty villages I wish there was a program to get people to move to these places and keep them alive.
Amazing episode..but i wouldn't want to be alone in the scarecrow village..the vine bridge looks terrifying..🩵🩵🩵
The scarecrow village ? Perfect for Halloween ! Indeed all these scarecrows make us feel nostalgic and sad. It's in fact very creepy and eerie, especially because the village looks abandoned.
Fantastic place, whoever made the scarecrows did a great job , also what an idea , love it !
Fascinating but bizarre.
Wow,beautiful countryside. Would love to visit that mountainside. The town is eerie ,creepy but still beautiful. I won’t stay there comes night time tho.😂😂
Some of the most beautiful countryside I've seen!
It’s an art installation! I like it and imagine they dance and carry on at night.
cool never saw a video about this! would have been nice to get an interview with a local
Hi Chani. I'm curious what kinds of animals they have in a such a spectacular natural place. Do you know anything about the wildlife that lives there? Also, thank you for braving that really scary bridge and taking us along with you. How frightening. I'm glad you made it across safely.
So nice and detailed scarecrows. It is a bit creepy, but in the same time quiet with a tranquil sensation. How do you felt it on the spot?
It's a unique thing and a bit sad. Would love to visit it some time
Loved your video as usual Chani, wow I can’t believe it’s the weekend again. I have seen quite a few you tubers go to this scarecrow village. It’s absolutely amazing what has been done there and attracting so many people. Well I’m travelling to Japan tomorrow, wow this is now so close, I’m so so excited.
Oh dear missed your e-sim deal, I purchased an e-sim yesterday through MOBAL, which I’m happy about, they have great coverage and very reasonable prices too. Oh well I’m off to pack, thank you for your weekly video. I’ll be adding some Japan you tubes to my Craft you tube channel. Krafty Kaylee Kreations cheers from Queensland, Australia.
That village is so creepy! How fascinating. The nature surrounding it is simply stunning. 🤩
It's nice to see that things are going well for you and that now you even have a sponsor ad. Keep going!
thank you for this very interesting journey of yours. Wow!!! it is wonderful to see different areas from Japan. I'm mostly interested in nature there. But to be honest - If I would find a village with scarecrows I would run as hell.... 😂
Looks so creepy, I wouldnt go there by myself, I always have a wild imagination, being a horror movies enthusiast. But appreciate showing this video, its like being there myself. 🙏🏻🇵🇭🇵🇭
7:46 I felt the same way. It was raining and I had the umbrella in one hand and the camera in the other. It took me so long to get over it. 🙈
You did it too! Yes I think in real life it is a lot more scary.
@@ChaniJapan There was a group of elderly people in front of me and I smiled at how long it took them. In the end, I think it took me 10 minutes to get across. 😂
Absolutely stunning views, but yes, everything involving the scarecrow dolls was creepy. It'd make me feel like I'd walked onto the set of The Wicker Man, and everyone looking at me 😁