
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
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Pokémon and Polaroid reveal collaboration with adorable Pikachu and Eeveelution camera and film
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
New Shinkansen Supreme Class private cabins get try-before-you-ride displays at Tokyo, other stations
Tokyo pub prohibits talking or keeping your phone out, only lets you drink in morning on weekends
Japanese convenience store sunglasses just became our newest Convenience Wear obsession
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
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
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
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]
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】
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】