
The truth is out there.
UFOs have become a hot topic again with several credible sightings popping up one after another. That’s why our roving reporter Masanuki Sunakoma’s eyes lit up after receiving word that a mysterious place known only as “Space Station” was located on the far side of a remote mountain in the rural city of Shunan, Yamaguchi.
Could a giant UFO be moored there? Masanuki was very open to that possibility as he himself once had a close encounter.
It was the summer of 1996, and as a young Masanuki was heading home from a school activity in Kodaira, Tokyo, he suddenly saw a strange object suspended in the sky. It wasn’t saucer-like or glowing, however. It looked like two isosceles triangles connected at the sharpest points.
▼ Computer simulation
There were about seven other people at the scene who all saw the object. Masanuki rushed into a nearby FamilyMart and bought a disposable camera. He ran back out and began quickly taking shots of the floating object.
Just then a bright ball of light seemed to descend from the isosceles triangles and everything disappeared. The strangest part of it all was that the object didn’t appear in any of Masanuki’s photos after they were developed. All that could be seen was a group of people all pointing in amazement at a clear blue sky.
It was an incident that affected our reporter greatly, and even while getting a Kim Jong-un hair cut or visiting Japan’s oldest adult movie theater, the question of “Are we not alone?” always hung in his mind.
But now was his chance to learn the truth about the isosceles triangles, so he wasted no time in heading to the area known as Susuma and the Space Station that lied within.
He journeyed by car along Prefectural Road 41 until he reached Lake Chino. This was an artificial lake made by runoff from the Sugano Dam on the upper Kashiwa River. In Masanuki’s experience UFOs were attracted to high-capacity man-made lakes, making this place a potential hotbed of sightings.
He continued along a deserted mountain road. The trees were so tall that they blocked out much of the sunlight, making even the daytime seem eerily dim. Masanuki could almost hear the theme from The X-Files playing in the distance.
He reached a clearing and could just make out some strangely shaped objects in the distance. The X-Files theme swelled to a crescendo in his mind and he dashed closer.
He had arrived at Space Station!
▼ Sign: “Space Station”
▼ Masanuki: “…”
The X-Files theme stopped abruptly with the sound of a needle scratching against the vinyl. Something wasn’t quite right here. The entire place had a strange — almost handmade — feeling to it. The rocking horses and metallic elephants were especially unbecoming of a proper space station.
However, the place was equal parts bizarre and heartwarming. Strange shapes and structures dotted the landscape, but they also looked inviting for kids to play on.
The apparent UFOs also had a menacing-yet-goofy vibe about them.
Some were little more than cardboard cutouts.
▼ Sign: “Welcome to the station of outer space!!”
Suddenly, Masanuki’s heart jumped when he came across an entire shack that had been completely upturned. What could have possibly done this?
▼ Sign: “Thank you for driving safely (Fitness Dezaki)”
It was definitely a clue, but to what? The folksy charm of Space Station was clearly a diversion tactic aimed at drawing people away from the truth. However, even after turning over every stone he couldn’t find any evidence of the isosceles triangles or their activities.
“Masanuki, you are tired,” he could hear Agent Scully say in his mind and he decided to head back to civilization. Space Station was a dead end but his search would continue, and he would find the truth about triangles at all costs.
Unless there was something better to do.
Photos: ©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]














Japan’s UFO village, where the magnetic field is said to attract visitors from outer space
Stay in a hotel in Japan where you can see a UFO
This crazy tower in a Japanese park promises a message form aliens, so we went to get one【Travel】
Our reporter can’t resist mystery of always-shut door being open on Tokyo subway station platform
Be careful traveling in Oita, the Big Shogun Space Avengers Bento is there and it’s angry
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Tokyo’s best ramen breakfast? Restaurant two minutes from Tokyo Station is a strong contender
Help Pikachu and Pals Fight for Their Freedom! PETA’s Pokémon Parody Sends a Powerful Message
Japan has omurice chocolate, and the weirdest thing isn’t how it tastes
Squat toilets’ popularity fading as parents call for them to be abolished in Japanese schools
Romance an ancient Egyptian god in the newest bizarre dating sim for mobile
Sega’s Like a Dragon yakuza teaches “useless” English, let’s use it to learn some useful Japanese
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Four of the best Tokyo budget hotels we stayed in this year
This ekiben train station bento is filled with surprises
We visit the 24-hour male-only sauna just outside of Hakata Station and ponder a strange sight
Free alcohol and curry make this cheap capsule hotel near Shinjuku Station a great place to stay
Travel off the beaten path in Japan, to the point where three prefectures meet
No train, no hotel – How to do an overnight bus trip to Kanazawa from Tokyo – Part 1【Photos】
Hidden travel gems of northern east Japan, presented by the Kita Kanto Brothers!【Photos】
How to do an overnight bus trip to Hirosaki from Tokyo – Part 2【Photos】