13 Most Haunted Places in Japan, From Suicide Forests to Former Murder Mansions

Himuro Mansion is the location of the brutal Himuro family massacre. In fact, Himuro Mansion is also featured in the game Fatal Frame. What's most interesting is that this place is often visited by tourists to test their courage.

Aokigahara Forest, a forest located in the Yamanashi area commonly known as the suicide forest. Yes, this forest is often used by Japanese people to end their lives. In fact, in some places, many belongings of the deceased are found.

Then there is the Nakagusuku hotel that has been abandoned for a very long time. The hotel, located in Okinawa, was built around 1975 and only operated for 2 months. During that time, a young child drowned in the pool and died. Allegedly, visitors at that time were often terrorized by the sound of a crying child. 

The Inunaki Tunnel located in Fukuoka is often referred to as one of the gateways to the Inunaki Village, a village that never actually existed. It is said that many cars suddenly stall when passing through this tunnel while in the middle. Then, the driver is forced to get out of the vehicle and directed towards the forest towards Inunaki Village. Eventually, this tunnel was closed. 

Okiku Well is one of the popular tourist attractions in the Hyogo region, Japan. Okiku Well is still around Hajime Castle. According to legend, this well is the place where a female servant named Okiku was betrayed by a samurai named Aoyama Tessan. Aoyama tortured Okiku and threw her into the well. It is said that Okiku's screams can often be heard at night.

Kaizuka Hospital is a special hospital built during the tuberculosis epidemic in Japan. It operated for 40 years and was closed in 1992. Rumor has it that the hospital was left abandoned, with all the equipment and patient records still there. Some people have also heard screams from inside the unused building.

Oiran Buchi, during the day, this place looks so beautiful and serene. But at night, this bridge becomes very creepy. Moreover, Oiran Buchi is the place where 50 prostitutes were massacred and their spirits still wander until now. 

The Sunshine 60 building in Tokyo, which is so magnificent, turns out to be quite haunted. Every night, it is not uncommon for residents to see flying fireballs around the building. 

The Yagiyama Bridge, located in Miyagi prefecture, holds many mysteries. This bridge has caused many people to commit suicide. Even though it has been renovated, the negative energy still lingers. There is even a rumor that when you ride a bus at night and pass this bridge, you will not be able to get off the bus and will be taken to another realm. 

Memorial Forest or Mori No Shizuku is the location of the All Nippon Airways (ANA) plane crash in 1971. The accident claimed the lives of 162 people. In fact, the explosion was like a bomb and could be heard from a distance of 20 kilometers. So it is one of the most haunted places in Japan, visitors are not recommended to come after sunset.  

Osorezan is known as one of the three most sacred places in Japan. In the Buddhist belief in Japan, Osorezan is the gateway to the underworld. Some monks there say that wandering spirits are often seen passing through here to reach their final destination. 

Round School, SD Numahigasi, was built in 1906. After operating for 60 years, precisely in 1974, this school was closed without a definite reason. It is rumored that this school, located in the middle of the forest, has claimed a victim. A female student suddenly disappeared and her whereabouts remain unknown. 

Finally, there is the Yuubetsu coal mine located in Hokkaido. Opened in 1923, and in 1967, Yuubetsu became one of the largest mineral suppliers in Japan. Unfortunately, amidst its success, the mine workers were infected with an unknown origin parasite. At least, for 47 years, this mine has claimed 187 lives.