haunted
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, including this team of workers who used their own local brand of heroism to prank visitors at night.
Using a Japanese ghost-hunting device, we find out if Chillingham Castle is as haunted as they say.
It’s like a haunted house on wheels, except you can’t choose when to ride the ESP Taxi. It chooses you.
The tree is said to curse those who draw near, but thankfully divine protection is available nearby.
Do you believe in ghosts, Rocketeers? A bloodstained woman with long hair is said to haunt this Tokyo tunnel.
For decades, locals have said a woman’s ghost appears in the park at night, and our visit ended with frightening female fury.
A luxury leisure resort on the lush hillside of Okinawa. Panoramic ocean views. A waterpark, a petting zoo, a night club. Now crumbling into ruins, swallowed up by nature reclaiming the land developers tried to take. Perhaps the owners should have known better than to build on the site of ancient tombs. The local priests warned them. But they didn’t listen.
This is the tale of Okinawa’s Nakagusuku Kogen Hotel, one of the most haunted abandoned sites in Japan.
It’s almost summer and that means a lot of stuff in Japan—Golden Week, brain melting humidity, Obon, and of course, horror movies and haunted houses. While many people in the west binge on horror flicks and spooky attractions as Halloween nears, Japanese people tend to get their fright on during the summer months.
We recently caught up with Margee Kerr, a sociologist who studies fear and helps the world famous ScareHouse terrify their patrons—in a good way of course! Margee was in Japan studying how fear works across different cultures and we were excited to learn about the similarities and differences in the reactions between Japan and America to horror. Check out our interview with a true master of fear at one of Tokyo’s scariest bars: Yurei Izakaya in Kichijoji!
Ginti Kobayashi is a writer who in recent years can be seen in the series, Kaidan Shinmimibukuro Nagurikomi! In these DVDs, we follow Kobayashi and his colleagues as they explore Japan’s most notoriously haunted places.
In the spirit of summer, when Japan likes to cool down by sharing chilling stories, Kobayashi sat down with Spa magazine and laid out his choices for the top 10 most frightening haunted places he has ever experienced.

















Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Japan manners debate: Is it OK to put a Mister Donut donut back on the shelf after taking it?
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Lawson convenience stores sell a mega katsu sando, and there’s a hack to get it cheap in Japan
McDonald’s Japan partners with anime English teacher, but did they commit a cultural error?[Video]
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Starbucks teams up with the oldest of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns to create a Bizen ware coffee mug
Studio Ghibli releases new plush characters that turn into eco-friendly reusable shopping bags
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
Which Japanese convenience store sells the best pizzas?【Taste test】
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
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】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
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
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Starbucks teams up with the oldest of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns to create a Bizen ware coffee mug
Studio Ghibli releases new plush characters that turn into eco-friendly reusable shopping bags
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
Which Japanese convenience store sells the best pizzas?【Taste test】
Is Domino’s Japan’s new Cheese Volcano Pizza worth the hype and calories?
A robot joins the team at a fast-food restaurant, but in an unlikely city in northern Japan
Tokyo’s first gourmet choco banana specialty shop is worth stopping in Harajuku for
Our male reporter cross-dresses for second time, learns more about how hard it is to be a woman
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
Japanese government proposes driver’s license change to make them easier for foreigners to read