If you’re interested in Japanese culture, you probably understand that Japan is full of terrifying urban legends about ghosts, demons, and supernatural creatures. Even though most people adore Japan for its tasty food, interesting festivals, and other cultural elements, modern horror enthusiasts especially enjoy the tradition of telling stories of Japanese vengeful ghosts, which is called ‘Kaidan’.
Today, we’re going to share 5 of the most creepy and scary traditional Japanese creepypastas that fascinate people all over the internet. We can’t tell you for sure whether these internet ghost stories are real or fake, but they are indeed an integral part of modern Japanese society.
Popular Japanese Creepypastas
1. Akai Heya
As Japanese people say, those who often scroll through the internet might encounter a strange ad where an ominous voice might ask a question: “Do you like the red room?”. If we rely on the legend, once you get this pop-up, you won’t be able to escape. You won’t even manage to close the window. Immediately, you’ll be redirected to a website that lists the names of previous victims of Akai Heya, which means the Red Room curse.
The legend of the Red Room adds intrigue which urges web users to be cautious. Yes, this creepypasta is as scary as it sounds. However, it’s a stark contrast to the safe and controlled environment of online casinos, where entertainment and opportunity meet. Here, instead of ominous threats, トップ10カジノガイド latest news offer a gateway to reputable online gaming platforms.
If you get this message, you should expect to be found in a room painted red with your own blood. Yes, this creepypasta is as scary as it sounds.
2. Kisaragi Station
The Japanese creepypasta about Kisaragi Station is truly a classic. As a matter of fact, this horror legend can be found everywhere on the internet today. It’s a story about a young woman who suddenly found herself at a strange train station named “Kisaragi.” The creepiest thing about this tale is that the train station doesn’t exist.
This story was first shared as a funny incident in a thread called ‘Post About Strange Occurrences Around You: Thread 26’. But as the user shared details of her unsettling experience, the thread actually turned into horror. Other members of the thread believed her story of not being able to even move on that non-existent mysterious station. As a result, today Kisaragi Station is considered one of the most haunted places in Japan.
3. Hasshaku-sama
Unlike the previous two creepypastas, this one is a bit more unusual and hard to believe. Hasshaku-sama translates as “eight feet tall” in English. This term describes a creature from a horror story that takes place in Shimane Prefecture. According to a legend, this creature is an unusually tall woman who wears a white dress and preys on children.
The story goes like this: this “eight feet tall” lady marks you as her target, then abducts you, and afterward, it’s impossible to run away — her victims just disappear without any trace. Not surprisingly, Japanese children are especially afraid of this famous internet ghost story about Hasshaku-sama.
4. Kunekune
Kunekune or “the Meandering” is one of the oldest Japanese creepypastas that started around 2003. The name ‘Kunekune’ describes a mysterious, slender humanoid that is thought to be appearing during hot summer days. This ghost tale became famous after Japanese people started noticing this strange creature in rice fields. Occasionally, people even noticed this figure on the sea. Therefore, they assume that it enjoys appearing when the wind is blowing. But even when there’s no wind, Kunekune still seems like it’s blowing in the wind.
Considering that the attempts to approach the Kunekune never ended in a good way, if you ever notice this creature, you should turn around. Just don’t touch it and don’t get close to it. Otherwise, you’ll either die or disappear.
5. Kotoribako
The final Japanese creepypasta is one of the most disturbing stories in the creepypasta genre, as Japanese horror lovers claim. The word ‘Kotoribako” means “little bird box” and it’s a story of a little wooden box that was considered to be cursed. The reason is that the box was only found in the places where a tragedy had happened. That’s why this artifact is said to bring misfortune and despair to people who possess it.
Interestingly, the original purpose of this box was to curse the enemies of its owner. As the legend says, the box only kills women and children, and therefore, only men are able to make it. In Japan, Kotoribako is often called “the box that takes children”.
Final Thoughts
This was the story of some of the most popular Japanese creepypastas — horror stories that have frightened people over the internet for more than a decade. Again, not all of them may be true. But the impact of these creepypastas on people around the world indeed reflects the significant power of horror storytelling. And let’s admit that horror is a universal language that connects people with the mysteries of the unknown.
Copyright Statement: Unless explicitly stated, all stories published on Creepypasta.com are the property of (and under copyright to) their respective authors, and may not be narrated or performed under any circumstance.