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Japan, renowned for Nintendo, sushi, and unique cultural celebrations like the Kanamara Matsuri, is a top-tier destination on many travelers' lists, and for good reason. It’s a nation with a rich history and an intriguing future.
Beyond its modern innovations, Japan is a treasure trove of eerie stories and captivating folklore: from J-Horror films to manga and monster movies, the variety is vast. However, the true essence of its creepiness lies in its urban legends. Here are some of the most chilling tales.
10. The Haunted Okiku Doll
There’s no denying that dolls can be unsettling. Their large, bug-like eyes are enough to send shivers down your spine. But imagine a doll haunted by the ghost of a young girl. Enter the Okiku doll, named after its original owner. Standing at 40 centimeters (1’3″) tall, this doll wears a traditional kimono and has hair that mysteriously grows. Yes, you read that right—its hair grows.
The Okiku doll is housed at the Mannenji temple in Iwamizawa, located in Hokkaido prefecture. When the doll first arrived at the temple, its hair was short, but over time, it has grown to an astonishing 25 centimeters (10 inches), resembling a hippie’s mane. Some claim the hair is trimmed every year to keep it in check.
According to the legend, a young boy purchased the doll for his two-year-old sister, Okiku. She adored the doll, playing with it daily, dressing it up, and even talking to it. Sadly, their bond was cut short when the girl passed away. Her family couldn’t bear to part with the doll. Over time, they noticed its hair was growing and believed their daughter’s spirit had taken residence within it. In 1938, they decided to entrust the doll to the temple, where it remains to this day.
9. The Curse of the Red Room
Pop-ups are irritating even on a good day. But what if they threatened you with death? Given that we’re discussing Japanese urban legends, it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
The 'Red Room Curse' is straightforward yet terrifying. A pop-up featuring a red door and the question 'Do you like the red room?' in Japanese appears on your screen. After navigating through a series of questions in a basic Flash interface, your name shows up at the bottom of a list, possibly alongside names of people you know. This is the final act before your demise. The next day, you’re discovered dead in your room, having taken your own life, with your walls covered in your own blood. Compared to this, even internet memes like Grumpy Cat seem lighthearted.
Like many urban legends, this one has a kernel of truth. In 2004, a 14-year-old student referred to as 'Girl A' murdered her best friend in the notorious 'Sasebo slashing' case. When authorities examined her computer, they found the 'Red Room' video as the top bookmark in her browser history.
8. The Curse of the Kleenex Commercial
'Hand me a tissue. Wait—is it Kleenex?' Conversations like this were common in Japan during the 1980s. That decade saw Kleenex roll out a memorable ad campaign featuring a woman in white and a young boy dressed as a miniature ogre. The commercial’s soundtrack was Jane and Barton’s 'It’s a Fine Day.'
However, not everything was as fine as it seemed. Due to the song being in a foreign language, rumors began to spread that it was a German folk song with lyrics translating to 'Die, die, everyone is cursed and will be killed.' This was certainly not the message Kleenex intended to convey.
Consequently, many viewers found the commercial unsettling, leading to numerous complaints. The ad was eventually withdrawn, but not before spawning a wave of urban legends. The actress, Keiko Matsuzaka, was rumored to have gone insane or become pregnant with the devil’s child, depending on the version of the story. The child actor portraying the ogre-pumpkin hybrid met a mysterious death, and it was said that every crew member involved in the ad also died.
With such tales of death and despair, you’d certainly need more than a few tissues to dry your tears.
7. Jinmenken (Human-Faced Dogs)
Have you ever imagined your dog speaking to you? If so, you might want to consider getting a Jinmenken. These are dogs with human-like faces, often spotted in Japanese cities or darting along highways at incredible speeds.
Unlike many other eerie Japanese creatures, Jinmenken are relatively harmless. They tend to ignore you unless provoked, and if they do speak, it’s usually to hurl an insult your way. But what exactly are they? Escaped results of secret scientific experiments? Or perhaps the restless spirits of car accident victims?
The least unsettling explanation is likely the most plausible. According to this theory, Jinmenken are actually Japanese macaques, which have dog-like fur and human-like facial features. It’s easy to see how someone, especially after a night of heavy drinking, might mistake a macaque for a human-faced dog. ('Another round, bartender! I’m seeing dogs with human faces!')
6. Fan Death
While fan death is primarily linked to South Korea, it’s also a well-known urban legend in Japan and across Asia. The concept is straightforward: sleeping in a room with an electric fan left on overnight will result in death.
The notion of deadly fans dates back to the 1920s, when warnings circulated about fans causing nausea, hypothermia, breathing difficulties, and even facial paralysis. Thank goodness for modern air-conditioning.
Some believe the South Korean government propagated this myth in the 1970s to reduce energy consumption, though this theory seems highly improbable. Still, it’s no more unbelievable than the idea of a fan sucking the life out of you. For enthusiasts of such tales, there’s even a website entirely devoted to fan death.
5. The Curse of Inokashira Park
Boat rides often evoke romance—serene waters, gentle breezes, the soothing sounds of nature. But what if that idyllic scene came with a curse destined to doom your relationship? Sounds unbelievable, right?
At Tokyo’s renowned Inokashira Park, couples who venture out on rowboats should beware. Legend has it that any pair who takes a ride on the lake will soon fall out of love, their bond irreparably shattered.
The origin of this curse lies at the lake’s edge, where a shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, the goddess of water, beauty, and eloquence, stands. Known for her jealousy, Benzaiten curses all couples who display their affection on her sacred waters. If you’re planning a honeymoon in Japan, you might want to steer clear of Inokashira Park.
4. The Sony Timer
There’s no denying Japan’s dominance in the electronics industry. For top-tier, high-performance gadgets, look no further than the East. Sony stands as one of the most prominent brands. However, whispers suggest Sony isn’t as pristine as it appears. In the 1980s, customers began reporting that their Sony devices would fail just months after their warranties ended.
Suspicion soon turned to Sony. Rumors circulated that the company embedded a timer in their electronics, designed to make them malfunction after a set period. This forced customers to either purchase replacement parts, pay for repairs, or upgrade to the newest Sony model.
The rumor resurfaced recently. In 2006, a batch of laptops was recalled after their Sony-manufactured lithium-ion batteries failed. Online forums buzzed with discussions about the so-called “Sony timer.” While Sony denies the allegations, vice-chairman Ryoji Chubachi acknowledged being familiar with the term in June 2007.
The strongest argument against the “Sony timer” is that, in over three decades, no one—not even competitors or tech experts—has ever discovered one. Thus, the “Sony timer” remains firmly in the realm of urban legends.
3. Shirokiya Department Store Deaths
In December 1932, Tokyo’s Shirokiya Department Store was engulfed in flames, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 people. However, the fire is most famously remembered for the strange urban legend that emerged from the disaster.
Amid the chaos and smoke, several female shop assistants managed to reach the building’s roof, eight stories high. Firefighters urged them to descend using safety ropes. As the women began their climb down, a sudden gust of wind disrupted them. All were dressed in kimonos, which, following tradition, meant they were wearing no underwear. Fearing the wind would expose them to the crowd below, they let go of the ropes to cover themselves, tragically falling to their deaths.
In the aftermath, the Shirokiya Department Store mandated that all female employees wear underwear. This decision led to a significant surge in the sales of Western-style panties.
While the fire itself is undisputed, the question remains: are the deaths a tragic reality or merely an urban legend?
Let’s examine a few facts. Kimonos are tightly wrapped, making it nearly impossible to see certain parts of a woman’s body from below. Additionally, mixed-gender onsen—hot springs where men and women bathed together naked—were popular in Japan long before the tragedy. This suggests that the idea of women feeling such intense shame is highly improbable.
Strangely, though, the incident is documented in Japanese firefighting manuals and textbooks. What’s the lesson here? If you ever find yourself in a fire, ensure you’re wearing underwear.
2. Human Pillars
The idea of human pillars is undeniably strange. Picture a building you cherish—perhaps your childhood home, the bar where you shared your first kiss, or the apartment where you’re reading this list. Now imagine your body sealed within its walls. That’s the essence of a human pillar.
This unusual practice of 'sacrifice' dates back to feudal Japan, where samurai or other prominent individuals would volunteer to become hitoira. This involved taking their own lives and having their bodies entombed within a building’s structure or foundation. It was believed that the spirits of the hitoira would serve as protectors of the building, warding off malevolent forces.
The most well-known instance of hitoira is linked to Matsue Castle in Shimane prefecture. Constructed in the 17th century, the castle faced repeated structural failures, with walls collapsing during its problematic construction. To stabilize the building, a human sacrifice was deemed necessary.
During a local festival known as the Bon Festival, the castle’s guards ventured into town, seized the most beautiful dancer, and brought her back to the castle. There, they killed her and embedded her body within the walls. Following this, the construction proceeded without further issues.
However, the story doesn’t end there. After the castle’s completion, whenever a young girl danced in Matsue’s streets, the entire castle would tremble. Consequently, street dancing was outright banned in Matsue. If your DIY project ever hits a snag, perhaps consider this drastic solution.
1. The Lost Ark
Thanks to Indiana Jones, an entire generation has been introduced to the enigmatic lost Ark of the Covenant. According to biblical accounts, the Ark was the ancient vessel that held the Ten Commandments. While many theories exist about its location, one of the most unexpected places suggested is Mount Tsurugi on the island of Shikoku.
The Ark, constructed by Moses, is said to possess extraordinary powers, making it a highly sought-after artifact. It was originally kept in a temple built by King Solomon until around 1,000 B.C., when the Babylonians destroyed the temple. Since then, the Ark’s location has remained a mystery. Over the years, it has been rumored to be in places like Jordan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Southern Africa, France, the UK, and Ireland.
Japan, however, stands out as the most unusual candidate due to its limited historical ties to Christianity or Judaism. Mount Tsurugi, in particular, is a site linked to Shintoism and Buddhism. So why there? This theory was proposed by Masanori Takane, a scholar from the 1930s, who, after extensive research, concluded that the Ark could be found on Mount Tsurugi.
In 1964, when the Japanese government designated Tsurugi-san as a Quasi-National Park, all further excavation was prohibited for environmental reasons, leaving the mystery of the Ark’s presence in Japan unresolved.
