Inside Japan's creepy village where dolls outnumber people

A village full of dolls exists in Japan's town of Nagoro filling in place of the place's aging and lost population with no human birth in the region for more than twenty years.

This community was about to be deserted for years when all of a sudden, one lone woman decided to move there.

These, however, are not your typical citizens; alongside a life-size copy of former "Top Gear" presenter James May, 350 life-size dolls were created by hand to symbolise the village where Nagoro's previous population once lived.

The dolls appear to be villagers from a distance as they labour in the fields, enjoy the sunshine, and watch the passing vehicles.

There are even twelve child-like dolls in the local school, appearing as pupils.

These dolls are the work of resident Tsukimi Ayano.

The 74-year-old saw the population of the Japanese town of Nagoro decline from over 300 to only 30 people after being born there.

The majority of its citizens moved to the city in search of employment, and as the elderly villagers passed away, the population continued to drop.

Nowadays, the only people living in Nagoro are the elderly. There hasn't been a birth in the region in more than twenty years.

To provide some life to the community, Tsukimi started making life-size dolls of its former citizens.

"I've always made dolls as a hobby," she told ABC News.