Hiding from Japanese Ghosts

Japanese urban legends, haunted locations, horror stories

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Old Nagano Tunnel Tsu, Mie Prefecture Three Nagano Tunnels were constructed between 1885 and 2008, identifiable by the period built: Meiji, Showa, and Heisei. Showa is believed to be the most dangerous due to the potential for collapse. Officials rushed to close the tunnel, creating rumours something further amiss was occurring from within - particularly the reasons behind the staggeringly high number of car accidents in and around the vicinity. A red cloth marks the area where car accidents most occur, leading to urban legends of vehicles suddenly failing when nearing that spot. White hands are believed to appear from the walls to grab at cars; connected to the Meiji Tunnel which was built by hand. Drivers had often sighted odd figures wandering the tunnel, but any collisions caused no sound or impact. Read more urban legends on Hiding from Japanese Ghosts: https://www.hidingfromjapaneseghosts.com/oldnaganotunnel.html

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The Witch’s Cave, a haunted house in the now abandoned Japanese theme park, Nara Dreamland. 

The park was opened in 1961 by Matsuo Kunizo, a kabuki actor and theme park tycoon, as an attempt to emulate Disneyland in Japan, featuring several recreations of popular Disneyland attractions like Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, the Matterhorn and Main Street, U.S.A., but also featured other attractions. The park was closed in 2006. 

These pics and others can be found at the Ceiling Gallery. 

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Miyu Kojima Creates Miniature Replicas of Lonely Deaths

Twenty six-year old Miyu Kojima works for a company that cleans up after kodokushi (孤独死) or lonely deaths: a Japanese phenomenon of people dying alone and remaining undiscovered for a long period of time. The instances first began to be reported around 2000, and are thought to be a product of increa

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Symbolism of Death: Funeral Floral Arrangements

Funeral floral arrangements in Japan are steeped in symbolism, and it is a traditionally-held belief the greater the flower arrangement represents the accomplishments of the deceased. Start saving now; funeral flower arrangements are the highest revenue-makers for funeral businesses - creating up to 75% in profits. White chrysanthemums are the traditional flower of choice for funerals (representing grief), although fresh batches of flowers are difficult to acquire which has led to different flowers being used in funeral floral arrangements.

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Psychic Audience Ghost  I've seen this photograph floating around the internet for the last few days. In the photo, a woman is among a crowd with an eerie, leering grin. Her neck is snapped to the left as if broken, although she seems to be fully aware, if not focusing on something seen off camera.  While many sites are claiming it is an authentic photograph, it's becoming apparent the photo is manipulated with photoshop. Verdict: creepy, but false The original photo is underneath the manipulated version. Cheers to Spook Asia for originally posting this! Original message from Spook Asia: Pretty creepy... too bad it's fake (or I guess that's a good thing.) This is a photo of the audience on a Japanese psychic TV show. The woman's face is deathly pale and her head is twisted at an unusual angle. This became a famous ghost photo in Japan and was featured in a number of paranormal magazines and TV shows. The woman is real, but someone photoshopped the picture.

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My Black-Haired Jenny Doll

Ready for a creepy story? John Boon has generously donated his translation and writing skills for the story 'My Black-Haired Jenny Doll'. - - - When a father's ex-lover begins stalking one of his daughters, a gift hiding an insidious secret reveals the woman's deranged personality. 

Never accept gifts from strangers. - - - Remember to love and reblog this post to show your support for John and his fantastic work! **If anyone has a story, photos, or an urban legend they would like to share, please send it to [email protected]**

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Old Isegami Tunnel Toyota, Aichi Constructed in 1897, Old Isegami Tunnel is subject to a number of ghost stories and urban legends; many of which are claimed to be products of a psychic television program due to sensationalizing stories. Visitors claim to feel a sense of unease when around the tunnel, and electronic devices tend to glitch when inside. It is believed looking through a camera lens will reveal two shadow figures waiting on the other side of the tunnel; said to be two children who haunt the old and new Isegami Tunnel after perishing in the Ise Bay Typhoon (1959). Read the full overview of Old Isegami Tunnel on Hiding from Japanese Ghosts: https://www.hidingfromjapaneseghosts.com/oldisegamitunnel.html

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Although debunked, the cursed Kleenex commercial sparked creativity among Youtubers.

This video was uploaded by Shrouded Hand which seems to breathe life into the curse of the video changing after midnight.

Professional editors were impressed by the quality, but alas it is fake.

Enjoy!

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Cursed Kleenix Commercial

Released in 1986 to Japanese televisions, Kleenix quickly removed their commercial featuring a woman in white, a demon child, and a haunting song due to being unsettling for viewers.

Years later, the commercial reappeared on the internet with claims of being cursed; including legends of all the directors and crew perishing within months of the commercial's release.

Youtuber SuperHorrorBro discusses the curse surrounding the video, debunking the urban legend. He also touches on symbolism and social issues which may have fueled the negative response from certain viewers, and which Japanese folklore added to the apprehension.

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Old Honsaka Tunnel Toyohashi, Aichi Despite the number of casualties of male workers during construction, the Old Honsaka Tunnel is believed to be infested with female spirits. During the Edo Period, women were notoriously mistreated by officials when traveling between Shizuoka and Aichi. In order to prevent the harsh conditions of the main road, women would venture into the mountains to face greater perils of extreme weather and murderous bandits. Numerous female spirits have been reported in and around the tunnel, including an elderly woman who appears upside down from the ceiling. Read the brutal history of Old Honsaka Tunnel here: https://www.hidingfromjapaneseghosts.com/oldhonsakatunnel.html

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Okuzurekaigan Yaizu, Shizuoka   Located on the outskirts of Yaizu, the series of tunnels closest to the ocean have suffered a number of natural disasters and human accidents. Several car incidents have occurred, including a car and its inhabitants being crushed in a cave-in, and a teenage girl being burnt alive when a car flipped and caught fire. The nearby Ishibi Tunnel also had a number of casualties after the ceiling collapsed during construction. Urban legend tells of a woman in a white dress who crawls the side of the mountain at night, begging passing motorists for help. Witnesses say music can be heard before she appears. Read more on Hiding from Japanese Ghosts: https://www.hidingfromjapaneseghosts.com/okuzurekaigan.html

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Ochiai Bridge Katsura River, Kyoto Connected to Akabashi Tunnel, Ochiai Bridge is a secluded area outside of Kyoto city. The area is rumoured to be a popular location for suicide, deaths related to natural disasters, and mysterious disappearances. Within Akabashi Tunnel, visitors have claimed to be watched by dark figures who disappear when approached. Sharing the forest Kiyotaki Tunnel is situated, there are beliefs the area is infested with a curse. Read more on Hiding from Japanese Ghosts: https://www.hidingfromjapaneseghosts.com/ochiai-bridge-and-akabashi-tunnel.html

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Noh Mask Evil lurks within.  Traditionally used as props during Noh performances, Noh masks have the capability to change expression according to the light. Believed to absorb negative energy and impure thoughts, Noh masks may be placed around homes as a protector. It is warned only professionals are able to wear Noh masks; the residing negative energy causes the mask to create an evil identity of its own, and careless wearers will have their soul sucked from the body. Read more about Noh mask curses on Hiding from Japanese Ghosts: https://www.hidingfromjapaneseghosts.com/noh-mask.html

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Number Curse Similar to the fear of '13' in western cultures, superstition in Japan reveals a horror for numbers based on the pronunciation. '4' in particular is an avoided number due sounding similar to '死 / し / shi' (death). Above, the numbers in red are a riddle which causes a curse if solved. 'What is 18782 x 2?' Check Hiding from Japanese Ghosts to see the answer! https://www.hidingfromjapaneseghosts.com/numberriddlecurse.html

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Nomugi Pass Matsumoto, Nagano With an altitude of almost 1,700 meters, Nomugi Pass is considered one of the most dangerous traverse routes in Japan. Sudden weather changes, landslides, and wild animals have taken the lives of recent travelers. The area is also known for hallucinations, strange occurrences, and malicious creatures which live underground. During the Taisho Period, woman and girls would walk the pass in order to sell wares in the next city. Many perished, and their ghosts are believed to still wander the route. Read more about Nomugi Pass on Hiding from Japanese Ghosts: https://www.hidingfromjapaneseghosts.com/nomugipass.html

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The Urban Legends of Ghibli A Sinister Side My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away inspire audiences across nations with the mischievous enlightenment of Japanese culture. However, there are uncanny coincidences within the movies which tie to the darker side of society. My Neighbour Totoro shares a number of traits with a murder incident which occurred in Sayama Hills in 1963. Spirited Away exposes the culture of prostitution and the significance of debt within Japanese culture. While Hayao Miyazaki (director) has voiced distaste in having the stories tied to the darker history of Japan, he has admitted the themes are entwined into the movies. Read more about the Ghibli Urban Legends on Hiding from Japanese Ghosts: https://www.hidingfromjapaneseghosts.com/my-neighbour-totoro-and-spirited-away-urban-legends.html

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Nakagawara Beach Tsu, Mie On July 28th, 1955 - 36 students, teachers, and instructors drowned suddenly while attending a swimming lesson near Nakagawara Beach. At first believed to be a freak accident due to a wave surge or strong current, stories emerged from witnesses some time later about  dark figures wearing white head gear appearing in the water. Testimony claimed the figures grabbed the swimmers and dragged them under the surface. Due to the incident, the beach has been closed for swimming permanently. Read the story of Nakagawara Beach on Hiding from Japanese Ghosts: https://www.hidingfromjapaneseghosts.com/nakagawarabeach.html