Traditional, cute, and scary scarecrows can be found at Kaminada and other places in Ehime during the rice growing season. While the rural population is falling all the time, the population of scarecrows seems to increase. Coincidence?
- 1 min read
The Scarecrows of Kaminada
From the friendly to the frightening

By L. MacLean
Community writer

This friendly fellow greets visitors to Kaminada which must have the highest scarecrow population in all of Ehime!

A rabbit scarecrow in Kaminada.

Another friendly Kaminada face greets drivers as the road narrows.

Kaminada's scariest scarecrow scowls and carries farm tools which look more like menacing weapons!

Other Kaminada scarecrows are friendly, like this TV celebrity and 2012 dragon.

Keeping a buttoned eye on the hydrangeas in Kaminada.

More scarecrows rest in the farmer's shack. Many are used to raise awareness of safe driving while others serve a more traditional purpose in the fields.

A Shirakawa scarecrow takes a break from her hard work to daydream as traffic passes by.

Meanwhile within the Matsuyama city limits, more sinister scarecrows scare more than just birds!

Plastic heads used by student hairdressers are recycled and used as scarecrows. Nets and plastic garbage bags on poles mimicking crows may serve an additional purpose, but the red paint on the dolls' necks does not.

The trend is evident in Masaki too, where the plastic heads can be found in loquat trees.

At harvest time, the scarecrows' work is done...

... but they will be back again next year.
Join the discussion
Justin Velgus
9 years ago
Fun pictures! May be a little scary at night though!
Tyra 'nell Pille-Lu
12 years ago
This is a very interesting subject to write about! The photos were neatly taken and indeed very good. They really showed the uniqueness in each scarecrow. I hate the red marks on the necks of those scarecrows on the rice field. They gave me the goosebumps.
2 comments in total
Book your trip
Find a nearby hotel
Explore some of the best nearby hotels and deals for the perfect place to stay in Japan.
Top Articles
-
1
Tips for Sakura Viewing in Japan
Activities -
2
Fun Expo 2025 Souvenirs to Take Home
News -
3
Miyakejima: An Island Adventure From Land to Sea
Tokyo - Sponsored -
4
KAMENOI HOTEL ASO PARK RESORT
Kumamoto - Sponsored -
5
Spend the Day in Sapporo: Japan’s Northern Metropolis
Hokkaido - Sponsored -
6
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s New Executive Lounge and “The Pagoda in the Clouds”
Tokyo - Sponsored -
7
Starbucks Announces Sakura-inspired Frappuccino
News -
8
Miyoko Schinner’s Vegan Japan Tour
Culture -
9
Mount Fuji Viewing Spots Around Shizuoka City
Activities -
10
Sakura Season at Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo
Tokyo
-
1
Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
2
The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting in Tokyo
Shopping -
3
Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
4
March Grand Sumo Tournament (Osaka)
Osaka -
5
January Grand Sumo Tournament (Tokyo)
Tokyo -
6
Tokyo Auto Salon
Chiba -
7
Daikoku Car Meet
Kanagawa -
8
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Kyoto -
9
Wonder Festival
Chiba -
10
Japanese Urban Legends
Culture