Cursed house in japan history. The most terrible places in Japan. the most terrible places on the planet and in Japan, capable of scaring you no less than Sadako herself

Japan is rightfully included in. The Japanese are, by and large, a nation obsessed with creepy ghost movies. From the horror movie icon of the crawling Sadako from The Ring to the creepy scenes of Suicide Club. It is an undeniable fact that Japan has produced a number of films containing the most terrifying moments in the history of the horror genre.

Whether you're a casual movie watcher or a film fanatic who breathes and eats their favorite films, Japanese horror films will definitely captivate you. So, top 18 creepiest places in Japan.

Of course, Sadako and other characters from the plots of Japanese horror films are fictitious and created by the country's richly imaginative writers and directors Rising Sun. But did you know that Japan has many scary places, which can scare a person until the end of his days? Believe me, there are dozens of places in this country that are no less frightening than Sadako herself. Do you want to see something as scary as Sadako in the Land of the Rising Sun? Make sure to take our tips into account when planning your trip to Japan.

18 of the scariest places on the planet and in Japan that can scare you no less than Sadako herself

1. Aokigahara Forest

When it comes to terrifying places in Japan, there is no doubt that the most terrible and mysterious is the Aokigahara forest. This place has a well-characterized nickname - “Suicide Forest”. Aokigahara, unfortunately, has the reputation of being the second most popular suicide spot in the world. For decades, thousands of people have been coming to this mystical forest to commit suicide. Sounds pretty creepy, doesn't it?

Don't be too surprised if you run into Sadako and her companions during your visit to this chilling forest. Yet it is the Aokigahara forest that is known for the lion's share of paranormal activity in Japan. Even if the government tries to keep a record of suicides in the forest, this place has already acquired numerous terrible myths and legends as the scariest place on the planet. And it is in first place in our ranking.

2. Old Chusetsu Tunnel, Fukuoka

Aren't you afraid of Sadako and other ghosts? In this case, I recommend entering the abandoned old Chusetsu Tunnel, located in the city of Fukuoka. Locals claim that you can hear strange voices in this terrifying tunnel.

3. Oiran Buti, Yamanashi

It looks as if you are trying to deceive us, the most sophisticated people will say, assigning these words to this and the next position on our list. Despite the wonderful landscape around, Oiran Buti takes its rightful place in the list of the most scary places on the planet and in Japan. After all, it was here that in ancient times about 50 oiran (prostitutes) were killed. In addition, this place has a creepy suspension bridge, as if copied from a scene from the Silent Hill films.

4. Hiroshima and Nagasaki

In these cities, people often hear crying and cries for help from restless souls at night until dawn.

5. Akasaka Mansion Hotel, Tokyo

Known as Tokyo's scariest hotel, Akasaka Mansion is capable of scaring the living daylights out of guests with a variety of hair-raising visions. In fact, one woman staying at the hotel said that an unknown force grabbed her by the hair and dragged her across the room. Could this be Sadako's work? Spend the night in this hotel yourself and perhaps you can find something.

6. Field hospital, Kanagawa Prefecture.

From unusual sounds to windows opening, there are many reports of paranormal activity at this field hospital.

7. Doryodo Ruins, Tokyo

In the ruins of Doryodo, bystanders can hear the cries of a girl, a student, whose body was dumped here after a brutal murder committed in 1973. She doesn't have to be Sadako, but her moans will definitely make your hair stand on end.

8. Himuro Mansion, Tokyo

Incarnated in the game Fatal Frame, the Himuro mansion was the site of the notorious massacre of his entire clan by the head of the Himuro family. This horrific crime is often considered one of the most brutal and shocking murders in Japanese history. But some say that this story of the Himuro Mansion is nothing more than just a fiction.

Want to know if this urban legend is true? There's only one way to check! Visit one of the scariest places on the planet and make sure!

9. Hakone Yama, Tokyo

Try to take a long time night walk by Hakone Yama and listen to the terrifying sobs, wailings and other mysterious noises in this place. In addition to the mystical sounds, the park leaves a strong feeling that this place has an extraterrestrial, supernatural nature. Although Sadako most likely won't appear here, Hakone Yama remains a tempting destination for thrill-seekers and ghost hunters.

10. Sunshine 60 Skyscraper, Tokyo

Visit this building at sunset and you might be lucky enough to see the appearance of mysterious fireballs floating in the air.

11. Round school building, Hokkaido. One of the most terrible places on the planet.

This school is one of the most famous scary places in Japan, because the creepy building, inhabited by ghosts, can scare even the most courageous lovers of the otherworldly. There are many stories on the Internet about the circular school, including legends about people who entered the building, but disappeared forever or left with their minds damaged.

12. Royal Hotel, Okinawa.

One of the most famous spooky places in Japan, the Royal Hotel is an abandoned hotel built on the once sacred grounds of Nakagusuku Castle. According to legend, the spirits and ghosts that lived in the castle were disturbed by the new construction, causing a number of accidents to the hotel owner and construction workers.

13. SSS Curve, Okinawa

Want to capture ghosts on your trip to Japan? I recommend that you go to the SSS curve on Okinawa Island.

14. Teahouse Ruins, Okinawa

The ruins of this tea house are a goldmine for paranormal activity experts and ghost hunters.

15. Gate No. 3 of Camp Hansen Military Base, Okinawa

Do you want to meet Sadako? You won't find her in this camp, but you may encounter another strange entity. Apparently, here, on this gloomy American military base, the appearance of a bloody soldier from the Second World War has been recorded many times. Some people say that he asks for a light (particularly with a lighter), and then disappears without a trace.

16. Atsugi Naval Base, Kanagawa

On this base navy The United States has also recorded cases of the appearance of a restless soul. As far as I know, this ghost is connected to a Marine who died in a terrible car accident in the 1960s.

17. Rusted Hangar, Kanagawa

This hangar, located away from the US Navy base, is also known for a number of strange paranormal phenomena. Here you can hear the doors closing by themselves, and ghosts with red eyes have also been observed in this place.

18. Gridley Tunnel, Yokosuka

Want to see the ghosts of Japanese samurai? The Gridley Tunnel at Yokosuka Naval Base is a single-lane, narrow tunnel haunted by the spirit of a once surprised and killed samurai. There is a belief that this warrior set out on a journey to avenge the death of his master, and on the way he was attacked by his enemies. Since he was unable to complete the work he started, the ghost of the samurai was unable to leave this place.

We can't blame this samurai for his appearance in the tunnel. Besides, it must be terribly boring to spend thousands of years in such a cramped place. Fortunately, our good friend Sadako can always pay a visit to this tunnel and offer a few words of encouragement to the fallen warrior.

This is our story from the series the scariest places on the planet finished. If you liked the selection, write in the comments and we will continue in the same spirit!

By the way, did you know that Sadako can pitch in baseball? I must say that she has a very good throw with her right hand.

The Land of the Rising Sun is not only skyscrapers, high technology and an ancient culture with interesting customs and unique traditions. It is also a country of mystical secrets, terrifying superstitions and anomalous zones. One of those that Japan can “boast” of is the Aokigahara suicide forest, which regularly finds itself in the ratings of the most terrible places on the planet.

Aokigahara National Park

The infamous forest is located at the foot of Mount Fuji near the Japanese capital. It's young enough nature education, which appeared twelve centuries ago after the destructive eruption of Fuji in the middle of the 9th century. The frozen magma formed a plateau, which was gradually covered with a layer of soil and overgrown with trees and shrubs. Translated from Japanese, Aokigahara means “plain of blue trees.” The second name of the forest is Jukai (“sea of ​​trees”).

The mysterious, unearthly beauty of the forest is given by the unusual roots of plants, which, unable to break through the petrified lava, come to the surface and form bizarre intricacies. The plateau on which the forest grows is riddled with faults, cracks and cavities, forming numerous karst sinkholes and caves.

Officially, the Aokigahara Forest is a national park with all the necessary attributes - picnic clearings, parking areas and hiking trails. IN national park there are several famous caves, dense coniferous forests and boxwood thickets, clean mountain air and amazing views of the main Japanese peak - Mount Fuji.

The forest has gained notoriety since time immemorial. There is a legend that the poor took seriously ill people, old people and small children who were a burden to the family into the forest, and left them there to certain death. Since then, restless souls have innocently dead people wander through the forest and lie in wait for lonely travelers in the hope of avenging their suffering.

According to Shintoism, only the souls of those who die a natural death can reunite with their ancestors after life. Those people who suffered a violent death or committed suicide are doomed to eternal wandering in search of peace in the form of disembodied ghosts - yurei. Eyewitnesses say that they have encountered these transparent ghosts in the forest with unnaturally long upper limbs and hellish flames in empty eye sockets.

The forest still asks riddles today. It’s really easy to get lost in the dense thickets, but it’s very difficult to get back. Orientation by compass will not help here - in this anomalous zone his arrow performs tricks, randomly changing its position.

Unfortunately, not at all majestic nature and it wasn’t even ghosts that made Aokigahara one of the most famous and saddened sights in Japan. This place ranks second on the list of most popular places for suicide after the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA.

Japan is a country where the culture of so-called revered suicides developed in ancient times. Methods of suicide have a long history and tradition:

• seppuku - samurai ritual suicide;
• tokkotai - military volunteer suicide bombers;
• shinju - simultaneous suicide of lovers;
• self-mummification of monks of some Buddhist schools;
• mass and family suicides.

In modern times, voluntary death continues to be a popular way to solve any problems - job loss, divorce, retirement, unhappy love, atonement for family, company, sports team.

As for Aokigahara, it is unknown why this particular forest became so attractive to those who decided to commit suicide. Maybe the forest really has strong negative energy, or the magnetic anomaly has a certain effect on consciousness, or maybe the bad reputation of the forest attracts people with an unbalanced psyche. Not the least role is played by books and films, the heroes of which go on their last journey along the paths of Aokigahara. In 1993, a manual for suicides was published, where Aokigahara is recommended as perfect place for suicide.

If a curious tourist nevertheless dares to turn off the path, he will easily find terrible traces of the misfortunes that have occurred - the remains of barrier tape left by the police, packaging of medicines, bags, mobile phones. Authorities organize annual raids to search for bodies.

Active measures are being taken to save potential suicides - signs with a helpline are posted on all trails, video surveillance and patrols are conducted, stores in nearby villages do not sell medicines, ropes and other items that could serve as a weapon for suicide, local residents report the appearance of suspicious people to the police. But despite this, the number of suicides increases every year and reaches 100 people a year.

Japan, where the suicide forest is located, occupies one of the leading positions among the countries of the world not only in terms of development and living standards, but also in the number of suicides committed by its citizens. The Japanese are often called a “suicide nation.” The reason, perhaps, lies not only in historical background, but also in the subtleties of the Japanese mentality, the important role of society, which requires humility, hard work and obedience from people and sometimes places unbearable demands on them.

Today we will go to the Land of the Rising Sun! But not to watch the sunrise, but to look at the strangest places and sights you have ever seen. If you still thought that Japan is only megacities with skyscrapers and imperial palaces, then many surprises await you.

10. Cat Island

Let's start with one of the most unusual places. Located on Tashiro Island (), Cat Island, as its name suggests, is inhabited by great amount cats! No cat lover should miss a trip to Cat Island during their trip to Japan!

9. Yoro Park


Created by New York artist, designer and architect Shusaku Arakawa, who calls his brainchild "The Place of Reversible Destiny", this park will reveal the most unexpected things to you!

8. Okunoshima Island


We have already visited the island of cats, and now it’s time to visit! Home to over 300 adorable creatures!

7. Nagoro Village


Nagoro Village was once home to thousands of people, but over time, more and more residents left the area in search of better life, which made the village a quiet and eerie place.

So some locals decided to turn the empty village into a popular tourist attraction, replacing empty places and houses with hundreds of effigies. Because this place hasn't been weird and scary enough until now!

6. Hitachi Seaside Park


Located in Hitachinaka City in Ibaraki Prefecture, this 1.9 km² flower garden is one of the world's largest flower gardens, boasting literally millions of flowers of every kind and color.

5. Fox Village


Just if you thought that you had already visited all the strange places in Japan where animals live, then go ahead to the Fox Village, where you can feed these animals by hand and pet them!

4. Gundam Robot


What else did you want from a tour of the strangest places in Japan, if not a gigantic one weighing 35 tons?!

3. Lake Yamanaka


If a trip on a swan-shaped steamship with observation tower in his “head” - exactly what you like, then this post is definitely for you!

2. Tokyo flood control sewer (G-CANS)


There are only a few "sewer tours" in the entire world. But the special feature of the G-Cans project are almost 65-meter tanks and a huge underground system with powerful hydraulic pumps capable of pumping 200 m³ of water per second!

1. Ice Aquarium (Kori no Suizokukan)


Are you aware of the problem of blurry images when you try to photograph fish and other underwater creatures swimming in aquariums? It seems the Japanese solved this little problem by freezing them and rendering them immobile.

I love Japan. I just love her. And their horror films in all forms are especially close to my heart. So I decided to post my thoughts, reflections and rants on the topic of urban legends of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Urban legends of Japan. Part I

When walking along quiet Japanese streets, be very careful. There can be danger around every corner. If a beautiful woman with a bandage on her face she will call you and ask: “Am I beautiful?”, don’t even think about answering her. Walking along the school corridors, you can hear children crying. But don’t rush to run to help. And if your other half wears a red scarf without taking it off, under no circumstances force you to take it off. Don't want to listen? Well, we warned you. But don't underestimate Japan's urban legends...

“You can have a thousand academic degrees,

but man by nature always believed

and will believe in the existence of something,

not amenable to rational explanation"

Koji Suzuki "Ring" / "Ring"

Japan another country

Japan is a country with a different mentality. It developed along a completely different path, strikingly different from Europe. For a long time the country was closed; access for foreigners was strictly limited. Peculiar natural conditions, social norms and rules, traditions and mythology combined into an interesting, but alien mixture to Europeans. On this basis, a unique layer of culture arose - urban legends.

What are these urban legends? These are actually scary stories based on the mythology and culture of the country. Remember how, as children, we scared each other with stories about a red sheet, a green hand and a black coffin on wheels? So, the Japanese also like to scare their friend with all sorts of horror stories. Only their stories will be more terrible and capable of scaring not only schoolchildren, but also impressionable adults.

Typically, the main characters in Japanese urban legends are onryo spirits - vengeful spirits who have returned from the dead to punish the offender. We are familiar with these ghosts primarily from popular Japanese horror films. Everyone knows Sadoko Yamamura, the girl from the movie “The Ring.” By the way, in the book by Koji Suzuki, on which the movie was based, Sadoko was an adult girl - a classic image of an onryo.

Kaidan or kwaidan is a traditional folklore genre in Japan, designed to frighten the listener with stories of encounters with the supernatural. Undoubtedly, he had a huge influence on the formation of urban legends in Japan. This literary trend created fertile ground for the emergence of modern urban folklore. Moreover, many classic horror stories have been translated into a modern twist, turning them into urban legends.

Traditionally herself Japanese culture is rich in a variety of horror stories: ghosts, monsters, strange creatures inhabit Japan. Therefore, it is no wonder that Tek-Tek, the Woman with a Slit Mouth and other terrible monsters roam around the cities.

In addition, after the fall of the Tokugawa military-samurai regime (Edo period), stories from Europe poured into the Land of the Rising Sun along with foreigners. They, of course, also influenced the formation of Japanese urban folklore. For many modern Japanese horror stories, we can recall similar legends from the USA, Germany or other countries.

For convenience, Japanese urban legends can be divided into several categories.

Revenge

One of the main themes of Japanese horror stories is revenge. The ghosts of the dead take revenge on their offenders, their descendants, children, neighbors, friends, and even those who accidentally got in their way. “Wrong time, wrong place” is a very relevant expression in relation to legends telling of reckoning.

Sometimes the injustice is so great and the thirst for revenge is so strong that the soul cannot find peace. She remains attached to a place that is meaningful to her. Typically this is the place where the person died. It’s good if punishment overtakes the offender. But most often it is innocent citizens who get the nuts.

Everyone knows the 2003 film “The Grudge” directed by Shimizu Takashima and its American remake. A curse born from the enraged mind of a dying man cannot disappear without a trace. The image of an innocently ruined soul appears again and again to everyone who tries to comprehend the secrets of its fate. No one can be saved by coming into contact with all-consuming rage. Similar stories exist in all corners of Japan. Sometimes having a real basis because of the tragedies that have happened.

There are also legends where others take revenge for the victim. The boy was bullied by his classmates. Often it came to assault. The child’s grandmother knew that her grandson was being bullied, but she could not do anything. And one day the boy was beaten so badly that he died. The woman immediately told the police that her grandson was killed at school. But school officials said it was an accident and the case was closed. The woman achieved nothing. “I don’t want to hear this,” she said and cut off her ears. The old woman was admitted to the hospital, and since then nothing has been heard from her.

A few weeks later, an elderly woman wearing a purple kimono began to appear at the school gates (the color purple is associated with death in Japan). She tore out the livers of those children she spoke to. To drive it away, you need to say “purple,” which means “rest in peace.” Therefore, always be on alert, in case your grandmother turns to you with a request to take her across the road.

Another urban legend tells that a gang of robbers was operating in the Shibuya area of ​​Tokyo. One of them, a handsome guy, met and flirted with girls, then brought them to the hotel, where his comrades were waiting. One day, as usual, the handsome man invited the girl to the hotel. And as usual, his comrades ambushed...

The evening of the next day came, and the guests still did not leave the room. The hotel employees became worried and entered the room. There lay four corpses, torn to pieces...

This terrible story, found in different variations in almost all countries, also contains a certain amount of educational moment - retribution for actions can overtake anywhere and anytime, hidden in the most harmless, at first glance, things. Sometimes the hunter can turn into the hunted.

School inhabitants

A separate group of urban legends are legends about ghostly inhabitants of schools. The place where Japanese schoolchildren spend their time is full of secrets and mysteries. The school toilet is especially mysterious and enigmatic. Yes Yes. You heard right. It's the toilet. There are a great many legends about those who wait for schoolchildren in cabins.

If you don’t have enough thrills and life without adrenaline makes no sense, then come at two o’clock in the morning to the northern building of the school, on the stairs between the third and fourth floors. Bring a candle and something tasty with you. Place the treat behind you and chant to your shadow, “Mr. Shadow, Mister Shadow, please listen to my request.” And then tell him your wish.

If everything goes as it should, Mr. Shadow will come out of your shadow and fulfill your request. But be careful! If the candle goes out, Mr. Shadow will get angry and take away some part of your body. Moreover, he will not ask which organ will be least useful to you in life.

After staying a little longer in the toilet and successfully surviving the arrival of Mr. Shadow, you will hear a voice: “Do you want red or blue paper?” Here, too, you need to gather your willpower and think about what to answer to a caring ghost who is worried about whether you have everything you need to go to the toilet. If you say “red,” then death is inevitable, and the whole body will be covered in blood. If you say “blue”, all your blood will be sucked out. Whatever one may say, one is not better than the other. But there is a way to stay alive - say “yellow paper”. Then the toilet stall will fill up... Well, you understand. As a consolation, let's say that this is not fatal...

Some schools may ask you, “Do you want a red cape or a blue cape?” But now you know how to respond to a malicious ghost. And then go straight to the shower.

For researchers and simply lovers of the paranormal, the Japanese school toilet should become a place of pilgrimage. In fact, you don't need to make any effort, just knock three times on the door of the third stall of the women's restroom on the third floor and say: “Hanako-san, let's play!” In response, you will immediately hear: “Yes...” and you will be able to see the ghost of Hanako-san in person.

An alternative way to call a girl from the toilet requires more effort. You'll have to persuade one of your friends to join you, because you can't do it alone. You will have to push your friend into the second toilet stall from the entrance, and you yourself will remain outside. While propping up the door so as not to let your friend escape from the stall, knock four times on the door. A friend locked inside and doomed to meet a ghost must answer with a double knock, but if he simply kicks the door and demands to be let out immediately, then count his knocks as two. The rest will pass for noise. Then you need to call: “Hanako-san, let's play! Do you want a rubber band or a tag?”

A bored ghost will immediately respond: “Okay. Let's tag." And then the one inside will be touched on the shoulder by a girl.

Of course, you can take a seat in the booth yourself, but the effect will not be the same. Besides, you can always say that you have already called Hanako, just at another school. Now explore the external manifestations of ghostly emanations that influence fluctuations in air flow. Well, or else, come up with something. The main thing is to be more intricate, otherwise your friend won’t believe you and will beat you.

Hanako-san is the most popular ghost in Japan, rumors about which have been circulating since the 50sXXcentury. In addition, there is a ghost girl in almost all Japanese schools. It’s no wonder that Hanako-san became the heroine of several films and anime.

There are a great many stories about how the soul of a poor girl was captured by the toilet. According to one version, Hanako-san was in poor health, and when her classmates locked her in the toilet, the girl’s heart stopped. According to another version, Hanako was attacked by a maniac. She ran away and hid in the school toilet, but it didn't help -

he found her there anyway... The third version talks about the family problems that the girl had to live with. Her father cheated on her mother, and she went crazy with jealousy. The crazy woman strangled the younger children, but Hanako managed to escape and hid in the school toilet. But the mother still found her eldest daughter... And according to the fourth legend, Hanako-san committed suicide because her long hair was cut off.

Damned places

Urban legends associated with cursed houses, hospitals, parks and other popular places are a dime a dozen. Every city has a couple of such attractions. They serve as a place of pilgrimage for lovers of the paranormal and an opportunity to test their courage. If you want to tickle your nerves, you can visit the cursed place and leave your name on the wall. But be careful, don't let the curse drag you into its web...

In 1972, a fire occurred in Sennichimae, a district of Osaka, in which one hundred and seventeen people died. There was talk that this place was now cursed.

One employee was late finishing a report for his boss. He hurried home and exited the subway in Sennichimae. It was raining heavily. So the man opened his umbrella and walked away, dodging the people rushing here and there. The man looked at the passers-by, and a chill ran down his spine: all the people were without umbrellas, pale and gloomy. The empty eyes expressed nothing, their gazes were fixed on one point.

Suddenly a taxi stopped not far from the man.

Come here! - the driver shouted.

But I don't need a taxi.

No matter, sit down!

The man wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible, so he obeyed. The taxi driver was as pale as a sheet. Taking a breath, he said:

I was driving along the route when I saw you walking along an empty street and dodging someone, as if from people passing by...

Age of technology

Computers, players, the Internet, mobile phones - we can no longer imagine life without all this. Technology has deeply entered our lives. And, of course, this could not but affect urban legends. Horror stories appeared related to television, the World Wide Web and mobile phones. Just remember the popular horror films “The Ring”, “One Missed Call” and others.

If there is a maniac on the other end of the line, this is not the worst thing that can happen to phone owners.

Do you know Satoru who can answer any question? No? Then we'll tell you now. To call him, you need a cell phone, a pay phone and a 10 yen coin. Place a coin in the machine, call your cell phone and say: “Satoru-kun, Satoru-kun, if you are here, come to me and please answer my question.”

Over the next twenty-four hours, Satoru-kun will call you on your cell phone. Every time he will say where he is. This place will get closer and closer to you. For the last time he will say: “I’m behind you...” Now you can ask the question for which you decided to risk your life. There will definitely be an answer to it. But if you turn around, wanting to look at the all-knowing alien, or cannot think of a question, Satoru-kun will kill you. And you won’t know the answer and will die ahead of time. Japanese ghosts are not to be trifled with.

Another variation on the theme of telephone calls is the legend of the Mysterious Anser. If communication with Satoru-kun is not enough for you or you want to try your luck again, then take ten mobile phones and call from the first to the second... and so on. To close the chain, send the last tenth call to the first phone - a circle is formed. When all the phones are connected to each other, you will be contacted by a man named Anser, who will answer nine people's questions. Well, Anser himself will ask the tenth member of the spirit-summoning team a question. If he does not receive an answer, a hand will come out of the mobile phone screen and drag away some part of the interlocutor’s body. Anser is a freak of a child. He has only one head and in order to become a full-fledged person, he steals body parts and answers any questions along the way. If you are not confident in your erudition, it is better not to take risks. Or at least not being the owner of the tenth phone.

There are many legends surrounding the photographs. For example, you cannot stand in the center if three people are photographed. This threatens troubles and even death.

“To take a photograph is to take out the soul” - this opinion existed for a long time in Japan. It has taken root since the Edo era, when photography came to the Land of the Rising Sun. This attitude towards a new invention initially arose in many countries. Perhaps this is not easy. Who can say whether we are losing part of our soul when we capture our image in the next photograph.

Deformities

Ugliness and beauty attract attention in equal measure. Even if you are running errands and don’t pay attention to the people rushing nearby, your gaze will still catch on a beauty passing by, or on a person missing one leg or arm.

The Japanese did not ignore this topic. Moreover, standing out from the crowd is not accepted here.

One of the most famous urban legends in Japan is the "Gap-Mouth Woman" or "Woman with the Slit Mouth." Based on this urban legend, a horror film of the same name was shot in 2007 by director Koshi Hiraishi. There is a variation of Slit Mouth - Atomic Girl, disfigured by the explosion and asking the children the same question.

Kuchisake Onna or the Mouth-Crack Woman is a very popular horror story, especially famous due to the fact that the police still find many similar messages in their archives. According to legend, an unusually beautiful woman wearing a gauze bandage walks the streets of Japan. If a child is walking down the street alone, then she can come up to him and ask: “Am I beautiful?” If he hesitates, Kuchisake tears off the bandage from his face. A huge scar crosses her beautiful face from ear to ear, a giant mouth filled with sharp teeth, and a tongue like a snake. After which the girl will ask the question again: “Am I beautiful now?” If the child answers “no,” then she will cut off his head with scissors, and if “yes,” then she will give him the same scar. Don't rush to answer! The only way to escape in this case is to give an evasive answer. For example, you can answer: “You look average” or “You look good.”

Another story that scares the Japanese to death is "Tek-Tek". This horror story tells the story of a woman who died under the wheels of a train.

Tek-Tek or Kashima Reiko is the ghost of a woman who was run over by a train and cut in half. Since then, she has been wandering at night, moving on her elbows, making the sound “tek-tek.” If a girl sees someone, she will chase him until she kills him. Reiko will cut her victim in half with a scythe and turn her into a monster just like her. According to legend, Tek-Tek hunts children who play at dusk.

With Tek-Tek, analogies can be drawn with the American children's horror story called “Clack-Clack,” which parents used to scare children who were out late at night. If you are a child, then do not stay out late late. It is still unpleasant when you are deprived of your legs.

As has already become clear, in Japan, before answering any question, you need to think carefully. Otherwise, it may lead to death. Who knows, maybe your words will be taken literally. So in the following urban legend, you can lose your legs if you answer without thinking.

One day the boy was walking home after school. An elderly woman approached him with a question. “Do you need legs?” - she asked. The boy, of course, said no. He has legs, why does he need another one?! His body was immediately pierced by unbearable pain. Passers-by came running to the child's screams. When they saw the boy, they were dumbfounded with fear - he had no legs.

The ghost described in the legend is terrible because it is impossible to immediately come up with the correct answer to his question. If you say “no” you will lose your legs, if you say “yes” you will get a third one. You can cheat by answering: “I don’t need it, but you can ask tago.” The ghost will turn its attention to the one whose name was called, and you will remain unharmed. Therefore, it is better to prepare the name of your enemy in advance so that you can immediately blurt it out if you are approached with a similar question.

Dolls

Long black hair, pale faces, sophisticated features, a mysterious smile. No, these are not beautiful Japanese women, these are porcelain dolls. Forever frozen images, embodiments of once living people. One of the Japanese urban legends tells of a mysterious doll, Okiku, whose hair suddenly began to grow after the death of its owner.

According to legend, the doll was originally purchased in 1918 by a seventeen-year-old boy named Eikichi Suzuki. He bought the toy on Tanuki-koji, a famous shopping street in Sapporo. It was a gift for Okiku's two-year-old sister. The girl really liked the toy, and she did not want to part with it even for a moment. Unfortunately, Okiku suddenly fell ill and died suddenly. The family placed the doll in the home altar and prayed to it every day in memory of Okiku, who left her family untimely.

Some time later, relatives began to notice that the doll's hair began to grow. The restless spirit of Okiku found refuge in a doll...

They say that if a child plays with one toy for a long time, it can come to life. There is some truth in this, because for a child a doll, a teddy bear or a wooden soldier is not just a friend, but a friend who will listen, understand and share grief and joy. So why shouldn't a toy have a soul? Especially if these are Japanese dolls.

One day a girl named Yuriko moved with her parents to another city. Before leaving, her mother told her to get rid of the Likki-chan doll. From early childhood, the toy was the most beloved and dear to the girl, but she could not disobey her mother and still threw the doll away.

After some time, when Yuriko had almost gotten used to the new place and made friends at school, the phone rang.

It's me, Licca-chan. I'm in ***. “And I’m coming to you,” they whispered at the other end of the line.

*** is the place where the family used to live. The girl got scared and hung up. But after a while the phone rang again.

It's me, Licca-chan. “I’m fucked,” said the same voice.

*** - this was the closest station from the girl’s house.

This went on several times until Yuriko couldn’t stand it anymore and screamed:

Who are you? Tell me who you are!

But the phone rang and the caller hung up. The girl opened the curtain and looked out into the street. There was no one there. And then the phone rang.

It’s me, Licca-chan,” Yuriko heard. - I'm behind you...

The sales agency for these dolls launched the “Likki-chan Phone” service. On this phone you can hear the mysterious whisper of a living doll. Unfortunately, there is a recording playing there. But maybe that's just what they tell us...

No matter how things really turn out, be more careful when choosing gifts and souvenirs for your family and friends. You may accidentally purchase an unusual doll.

***

This is only part of that huge layer of culture called urban legends. We touched a little on the mysterious and scary stories that exist among the population of Japan. But that is not all. To be continued...

Japan is a country with an unusual, amazing, mysterious culture and rich history. It combines the incredible development of technology and, albeit modified over the twentieth century, but still retaining the most important features of traditional cultural heritage and social foundations.

Naturally, among others, such a state is full of its own legends about all kinds of terrible phenomena mystical nature. And the places where they were observed or are observed to this day. In this article we will tell you about some of them.

For example, about a hospital for tuberculosis patients, famous throughout the country, located in the city of Kaizuka. At first, the building itself was designed and built as a school, but in 1958 it was turned into a hospital for tuberculosis patients.

The watchmen and some local residents, and today a number of tourists, talk about ghosts that are seen and heard within these walls.

Another hospital inhabited by ghosts is located in the city of Kasumigaura. At first it was a naval base. Later, the building was transferred to the use of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

Unfortunately, over time it was abandoned and it almost collapsed. There is no exact data about the existence of a ghost here, but strange phenomena have been observed several times. And popular rumor strengthened them, especially since the building was used several times for filming horror films.

On the island of Hokkaido, the Jomonon Tunnel serves as a connecting part of the road between Tokoro and Munbetsu counties. The tunnel is 507 meters long. During its construction, many workers died there and were buried right inside.

After this, it is not surprising that paranormal activity is observed there from time to time. In particular, some travelers have seen ghosts.

We should also remember about Tashiro Island. It also has a second name - Cat Island. This place is inhabited by simply a huge number of cats. All cat lovers should definitely visit there.

It is known that since ancient times cats were considered associated with mysticism. And many feel this when they find themselves on a cat island. Sometimes the behavior of cats here is extremely unusual, and supernatural manifestations are not uncommon.

There are many rumors about the mysticism of the village of Nagoro, but almost no established supernatural manifestations have been recorded. And yet the atmosphere in the village is frightening. Of course, this mostly deserted village doesn’t look like that at all. After all, there are hundreds of stuffed animals on the streets, behind counters and in houses. This place is a tourist attraction that tickles the nerves of everyone who visits there.

For Japan, the concept of a curse is somewhat different from its classical European counterpart, although in essence they are similar. What’s interesting is that there are many damned places in this country.

For example, Mount Kuseyama is considered cursed; anyone who steps on it will soon die. Surprisingly, the mountain and surrounding areas have not been purchased. They say that there have been a number of accidents with those who tried to visit it, so buyers are simply afraid.

A similar situation is observed with Mount Ikhai. Only when entering it or cutting down forests there, it is not the violator himself who dies, but one of his family members. The same thing happens to the owners and workers of the Kuse and Yammai fields.

It would take a very long time to list cursed places, as well as to remember all kinds of deities who amuse themselves by punishing people using such methods. And if some of the stories are clearly fiction. Others seem to have a very real basis.

There are more than enough scary places in Japan besides those listed, so we will probably talk about a number of them in separate articles.