
It’s far scarier when it’s not meant to be scary.
The Choshi Electric Railway in Chiba is one of the strangest railways in Japan. It has only one line totaling 10 stations, and it services less than one million riders per year. Considering other stations in Tokyo service more than a million per day, you might be wondering how it stays in business.
And the answer is: it doesn’t, basically.
Choshi Electric Railway has only stayed afloat by making over 80 perfect of its profit through selling self-deprecating gag gifts, such as “Mazuibo” (“Gross Stick,” a play on the popular snack Umaibo — “Delicious Stick”), and literal pieces of itself in cans.
▼ In 2018 They even officially changed their name to “Choshi Which Refuses to Give Up,” displayed on this sign.
With it being such a legendary station, our Japanese writer Masanuki — a fan of all things bizarre — decided he wanted to see what the actual train itself was like.
And not just any train, but the last one available at night.
There’s something a bit magical about the last train of the day. It’s the train that people who are drunk typically take to ride home, so it’s not unusual to hear stories of weird things being seen or having happened on them.
▼ Masanuki cautiously approached Choshi’s last train of the day, both intrigued by the fact that there were almost no passengers, and by its pink color.
▼ Ah! Apparently the station was collaborating with Iwashita, a ginger company that has had some strange promotions before, so that makes sense—
▼ …
▼ …oh no.
▼ Masanuki had unknowingly stepped into a nightmare.
The colorful pink balloons and stuffed animals may have been cute decorations during the day, but at night they were nothing less than cold, watchful demons. The fact that the train was also completely silent and empty gave off the same, unnerving feeling as an abandoned Chuck E Cheese.
▼ There were a few others on the train, but Masanuki couldn’t be sure that they weren’t monsters too…
▼ …just try and say that when that old woman beneath the balloons turns around, she won’t have her eyes sewn shut and teeth made of broken glass!
▼ The decorations even covered up the names of the stations on the line. That’s because there was only one destination for Masanuki now: straight to hell.
Thankfully Masanuki claims that he was not attacked by any stuffed animals, smothered by any balloons, or devoured by any monsters during the train ride. He safely made it to Inuboh Station, the second to last stop, and took this photo to prove it.
▼ A perfectly normal photo taken by a perfectly happy passenger!
▼ He also says that they’re selling collaboration “Mazuibo” at Inuboh Station as well, so check them out if you want to sacrifice your soul to the station are interested!
Masanuki may be acting strangely ever since returning from his trip, what with his strange fungal smell and eyes rolling inside of his head, but that’s just classic Masanuki for ya!
Although he has been really adamant about getting us to visit another train station recently. Another small station that looks like it’s right out of a horror film.
Images: ©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]











A video visit to Doai, one of Japan’s most terrifying train stations【Video】
Japan’s new Spacia X train is like travelling in a luxury aircraft
This ekiben train station bento is filled with surprises
Fujisan View Express: A train journey to Mt Fuji so stylish you’ll never want it to end
Stay in a Japanese hotel room…with a train inside it!
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
How to easily make Salmon & Cheese Grilled Rice Balls, a tasty camp food【SoraKitchen】
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
What exactly is the treat known as a “kougnané” that’s sold outside Tokyo’s Yurakucho Station?
Shinkansen operator apologizes for three-minute delay because conductor was napping
The Almost All Lettuce Burger from Dom Dom Burger really lives up to its name
The dream of riding Final Fantasy Chocobos is coming to Tokyo VR centers
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Japan’s most annoying train behaviours: Passengers reveal the things that irk them most
The roller slide of terror: Treetop fun ride for kids is a terrifying experience for adult butts
Japan Railway to allow dogs to ride without cages on special Tokyo-Izu train
Video shows that in Japan, even the train evacuations are orderly 【Video】
We get ready for camping season with Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated wooden mug
Our otaku reporter Seiji rides the slowest train to Chichibu–and his coworker flips out
Japan’s new luxury sightseeing train will show you part of the country most foreigners never see
Cool capsule toys recreate how Japan navigated trains in pre-smartphone days【Photos】
A close encounter with a dangerous criminal on a Shinkansen bullet train in Japan
42 reasons why we love riding the rails in Japan
Why do seats at some Japanese station platforms face away from the trains?
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
Tokyo train little luxury showdown – Green Car vs. Kaiji, which is more comfortable?
General sales of Japan’s most convenient prepaid train/shopping card to finally resume soon
Central Japan Railway releases tear-jerking Shinkansen bullet train ad for the holiday season
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely