Living in the Japanese countryside has many advantages, from access to the freshest produce to breathing clean air, but for many who love the big city, the slow-paced lifestyle and lack of attractions can make rural life quite boring.
But one Japanese man living in a town outside of Fukuoka in southern Japan is showing us life doesn’t have to be boring when you have access to several dozen scarecrows, old softball uniforms and an open rice field. Every November after the rice is harvested, he dresses scarecrows up as softball players and has them “play” a month-long game, keeping score the entire time.
Local scarecrow aficionado Shinji Kuboi first came up with the slightly unsettling idea when he came across 20 elementary school softball uniforms at the local community center that were about to be thrown away. And when the 63-year-old construction worker realized his friend would have an empty rice field after the harvest in November, he naturally came up with an idea to dress the scarecrows in the uniforms and move them around every day to make it look like they are playing a softball game, albeit very slowly. Kuboi even found mannequin heads to put on top of the scarecrows to give them that extra lifelike feeling.
▼ Because why wouldn’t you have creepy human-like scarecrows play softball in an empty field?
Photo: goo blogs (ozadesuyo1940)
▼ A closer look at the face of one of the softball scarecrows
Photo: goo blogs (ozadesuyo1940)
Kuboi’s scarecrow softball game has been going on in Iizuka City in Fukuoka Prefecture every November since 2012. Besides the players, he also has set up a cheering section for scarecrows to cheer on their favorite team. The display gained enough popularity that he got a donation of 10 more softball uniforms and has been able to increase the roster to 30 players.
▼ Clearly, 20 of these scarecrows were not filling the creepy quota for Iizuka City
Photo: Yahoo! Japan blogs (kwkt66)
▼ What they lack in noise and movement, these loyal sports fans make up in perseverance
Photo: Yahoo! Japan blogs (kwkt66)
▼ A tense moment on home plate
Photo: Yahoo! Japan blogs (kwkt66)
▼ The scoreboard for the month-long game
Photo: Yahoo! Japan blogs (kwkt66)
Locals seem to love the annual softball game, with some telling a local newspaper that they look forward to it every year. But we assume these are not the members of the community who pass by the scarecrows at night when, as many netizens noticed, the game takes on a slightly more frightening look.
▼ Don’t worry, it’s just a softball game in complete darkness between two teams of humanoid scarecrows in the middle of the night. Wait, did number 12 just move?
Photo: Twitter (aokijuntarou)
Kuboi said he’s glad to bring a little joy to his town, and has even proposed a scarecrow softball tournament with other cities. While this year’s game is now drawing to a close, start making plans to visit Iizuka next November as part of your tour to Fukuoka for a softball game you won’t forget.
Source: Nishi Nippon Shimbun, Hamsoku
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Eight great words for talking about summer in Japan in Japanese
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Eight great words for talking about summer in Japan in Japanese
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
“We want to be Japan’s best cheap restaurant” says new (but also not new) Akihabara noodle joint
Dance with demons in Kyoto at this Edo-period Japanese Halloween festival
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Cup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
Yakuza members arrested for building a road on mountain they don’t own
Starbucks Japan has a miniature collection, but you’ll need patience to get it