
Back in 2003, the world was introduced to the first Siren, a survival horror video game which told the story of a mysterious secluded village caught between time and space. Like the best games of its genre, the setting played a pivotal role in captivating the player, sucking them into an eerie atmosphere made all the more scary by the tremendously creepy town.
It turns out that the fictional town of Hanuda is based on an actual town in Saitama Prefecture, just north of Tokyo. Life imitates game as a camera crew heads to the abandoned town, just like how a crew did in the third Siren game. Take a look at the footage they captured after the break. If you aren’t too afraid…
Japan seems like a haven for abandoned buildings and towns these days. Sure some of them are abandoned for good reason, like radiation, but others have been left and forgotten purely because the citizens have moved away one by one.
Chichibu, a town in Saitama Prefecture, is one such place, but perhaps it is most famously known for being the inspiration for the horror survival game Siren. As the story in the game goes, the town becomes abandoned due to a secret ritual and subsequent earthquakes, trapping the unfortunate citizens who are “never heard from again”.
Chichibu definitely doesn’t appear to have anyone residing in it, but maybe it’s just that they’re trapped between time and space, making it impossible for the crew’s cameras to pick up any multi-dimensional signals. Don’t take our word for it, though; check out the video yourself.
Crumbling houses, small shrines without Jizo, a motorbike that is halfway buried in the ground; this ghost town really has that haunted, uncanny vibe that survival horror—and post-apocalyptic, for that matter—game fans love.
▼ Where did the Jizo go?
▼ It’s as if an aliens abducted the townsfolk
▼ But the view is still quite nice…during the day!
It’s a good thing they filmed when it was light out because we aren’t sure people could handle the scare factor in the pitch black night. If you think that things would be no different at night-time, readers are free to go out with a camera and capture some of their own images themselves. We just can’t guarantee that we’re brave enough to watch the video.
Source: NariNari
Top Image: Amazon US, YouTube/Superman Kiko (image edited by RocketNews24)
Images: YouTube/Superman Kiko







Japanese household cleaner maker releases survival horror scrubbing game on Steam
The Evil Within survival horror game’s new trailer posted
Abandoned love hotel in Japanese mountains becomes stage for horror escape game【Video】
Japanese town bids for new residents with hilarious fake zombie game trailer 【Video】
Trailer for Metal Gear Survive looks like the death of the video game franchise as we know it
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
The mystery of Port Store, the Japanese convenience store that looks like a Lawson rip-off
American tourist in Japan arrested on charges of attempted murder and arson
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Elderly couple donates 400 million yen to erect Myaku-Myaku statue in Osaka
Mini CRT-lookalike Final Fantasy figurines are awesome pixel art music boxes [Video]
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
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
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
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]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
“Whiteday” – A Korean virtual reality horror game that’s sure to get your heart racing【Video】
This official Pokémon horror video is surprisingly terrifying【Video】
Hideo Kojima’s Silent Hills might just be the horror game we’ve been waiting for【Videos】
The 10 most important Japanese video games ever made
The terror of playing a Japanese horror video game with cute face filters