Welcome to Miyajidake Scarecrow Village

Hello travelers! This is Suno, writer for Sarukuma.

Today I’m taking you to one of our family’s absolute favorite spots in Amakusa —
Miyajidake Kakashi-no-Sato (Scarecrow Village), located in Miyajidake-machi, Amakusa City.Miyajidake-machi is unusual for Amakusa — it’s tucked away in the mountains rather than on the coast.
You’ll find it along National Route 266 between Hondo and Ushibuka, and you can’t miss the giant signboard out front!This is honestly a must-visit on any Amakusa road trip, and I’m thrilled to share it with you.
A cast of charmingly quirky scarecrows greets you at every turn — each one with its own personality!

Parking is plentiful — there are even spaces for tour buses, since this place is popular with sightseers.
Inside, you’ll find leaflets and pamphlets for attractions and events all over Amakusa City.
And here’s a wonderful surprise: the restrooms and nursing space are open 24 hours a day!
There’s a clean diaper-changing table, a private nursing room, and a sink — perfect peace of mind for families traveling with babies.
Here’s something I didn’t expect: the vending machine outside the restroom sells more than just drinks — it also stocks emergency baby and personal-care essentials!

Disposable diaper pants (2 pieces): ¥300
Gentle baby wipes (70 sheets): ¥240
Natural sanitary products (2 pieces): ¥160

Such a thoughtful touch for traveling families — we love it!
Now let’s step inside the old schoolhouse, where a lively crowd of child-shaped scarecrows is waiting to welcome you.
Just past the entrance, you’ll spot the on-site restaurant, “Reishuya.”

This is the second location of the famous “Amakusa Soba-dokoro Reishuya,” so the handmade soba noodles here come highly recommended!

Choose your meal at the ticket vending machine and hand the ticket over at the counter (cash only).

Open from 11:00, with last orders at 14:30.
The most popular dish is the “Miyadake Inaka Teishoku” (Country-Style Set Meal): ¥1,100.

It features daikon-and-chicken rice, Haiyabushi-style fried chicken, and soba dango soup — a chef’s-pick lineup of locally sourced flavors.
There are also soft serve, parfaits, and other sweet treats to try!
The dining and rest area looks just like a real classroom!
On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, you can even order a special “School Lunch Menu” — a charming time-trip back to Japanese student days.
The roadside station also stocks Amakusa specialty sweets and foods, plus beautiful local pottery and handmade crafts — wonderful souvenirs to take home.
During my visit, the multipurpose room hosted a stunning seven-tiered Hina-matsuri (Girls’ Day) doll display.
Events and hands-on experiences change with the seasons, so be sure to check ahead!

What Makes Miyajidake Scarecrow Village Special

Miyajidake Kakashi-no-Sato is a roadside station built inside the former Miyajidake Elementary School, which closed its doors back in March 2012.
It’s the first of its kind in western Japan, and only the third nationwide — making it a truly rare find!

An automatic stair-lift was installed for elderly visitors and guests with mobility needs, so the second floor is accessible to everyone.
The hyper-realistic scarecrows lining the hallways might startle the youngest visitors at first — they’re that lifelike!
It feels exactly like wandering through a working elementary school, frozen in mid-action.
Step into a classroom and you can practically hear the chatter of an active lesson in progress!
Look closely — even Kumamon (Kumamoto’s beloved black bear mascot) seems to be sitting in for class!

The windows still look out onto the original schoolyard, preserving that authentic atmosphere.
The next classroom over recreates a traditional Japanese festival scene — complete with mikoshi (portable shrine) bearers — and shows the scarecrow-making process.
Keep your eyes peeled for oversized characters and look-alikes of famous personalities hidden in the crowd!

Like a school wall newspaper, displays trace the history and milestones of Scarecrow Village — fascinating reading for anyone curious about the project’s origins.

Don’t miss the warm, nostalgic background music drifting through the halls — listen for it as you explore!
This room is the “Studio.”

The theme is a traditional Japanese bridal scene from days gone by — but I’ll let you discover the rest in person!

You’ll find a donation box on the stairwell landing.
All contributions help maintain and care for Scarecrow Village — every bit is genuinely appreciated!
Sadly, some of the scarecrows and exhibits — handcrafted with love by local residents — have been damaged by mischief in the past.
Please treat the displays with care so they can be enjoyed for years to come.

Children of preschool age must be accompanied by a guardian when visiting the second floor.From Halloween costumes to Christmas outfits to summer-festival looks, the scarecrows change their wardrobes with the seasons — there’s always something new to see!

From March 17 to May 5, the village hosts its annual Scarecrow Festival. This year’s theme is “The Nostalgic Sports Day.”
The creativity and community spirit on display will absolutely amaze you — come visit Scarecrow Village for yourself!

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information accurate at time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.