Members of the local idol group Ringomusume and this year's main featured scarecrows modeled after them are seen in the city of Aomori on Aug. 29, 2021. (Mainichi/Hirosato Nansako)

       AOMORI -- About 400 handcrafted scarecrows, including those modeled after the members of a local idol group, can be seen lined up along a road in north Japan's Aomori Prefecture until Sept. 30.

       The 15th edition of the annual "Kakashi Road 280" event ("kakashi" translates as scarecrow) began on Aug. 29 along national Route 280 between the city of Aomori and the prefectural town of Imabetsu.

       This year's main featured scarecrows -- standing about 5 meters tall including a 2-meter-high base -- are modeled after the local idol group Ringomusume. The four scarecrows replicate the group members, clad in Jomon-style costumes, in a music video promoting a group of Jomon period prehistoric sites in Hokkaido and the northern Tohoku region -- a World Heritage area. Aomori's famous "Nebuta" giant float craftsperson Renmei Kitamura, 73, and his family members made the main scarecrows.

       The event's opening ceremony was held in a rice paddy area in the city's Hajirotomita district, where the main scarecrows stand, on Aug. 29, attended by the four members of Ringomusume. Member Ourin said, "I hope our scarecrows will cheer people up even for a little bit." The executive committee's head Sachio Nagai, 65, commented, "I want people to take their time to see the scarecrows while taking a stroll."

       (Japanese original by Hirosato Nansako, Aomori Bureau)

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