
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
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Gama Land, the weird Japanese amusement park celebrating toads, is now like a ghost town
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer
Lawson Japan releases a crazy new product to remind us it’s not just famous for convenience store food
All-you-can-eat cheese restaurant in Tokyo is a hidden gem not many people know about
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
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】