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.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Online shop’s anime character personal seals look awesome, can be used for legal paperwork
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
This is Japan’s only shrine with a Shinkansen tunnel underneath it
Utada Hikaru explains “why getting over someone is so painful”
Nara deer shikadamari phenomenon continues to baffle visitors at Nara park
Weekly
- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month- Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace- Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Monthly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
- Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area- Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Yearly
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
This is Japan’s only shrine with a Shinkansen tunnel underneath it
Utada Hikaru explains “why getting over someone is so painful”
Nara deer shikadamari phenomenon continues to baffle visitors at Nara park
Japanese government considering raising foreign resident visa renewal fees by 400 percent or more
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Keisuke Honda apologises for English mistake at press conference 【Video】
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
All-you-can drink deal in Japan puts the self-serve drinks machine right on your table
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
-
