Japan isn’t just about anime and sushi—it’s also home to some of the most terrifying ghosts in the world. From vengeful spirits appearing in mirrors to giant skeletons hunting at night, these aren’t just legends; they’re tied to real events, eyewitness accounts, and genuine fears. Let’s dive into the five scariest ghosts of Japan—who knows, maybe one day, you’ll encounter them yourself.
These ghosts are more than just legends—they have haunted people for generations, from ancient folklore to modern internet myths. The details may change, but the fear remains the same. So if you hear footsteps behind you, whispers in your ear, or feel an unexplained chill… don’t say we didn’t warn you! 💀
1. Oiwa – The Vengeful Spirit of Yotsuya Kaidan
👻 Ghost Age: Over 300 years (since the 17th century)
⚧️ Gender: Female
💀 Skills: Haunting dreams, appearing in mirrors, driving enemies insane
🎭 Hobbies: Seeking revenge on betrayers, appearing in Kabuki performances if not properly appeased
🗓️ Origin: Based on the real-life woman Oiwa, who was poisoned by her husband, leading to her face becoming grotesquely deformed before she died in agony.
🧭 Cultural Significance: Featured in Yotsuya Kaidan (1825), one of the most famous horror Kabuki plays.
👗 Distinguishing Features: A long-haired ghost with a disfigured face and eyes filled with hatred. Oiwa’s hair symbolizes her vengeful spirit, enhancing her eerie presence in Japanese folklore.
🔎 Description
Oiwa is not just a ghost—she is a curse. According to studies on Japanese folklore, Oiwa appears in mirrors, her distorted image driving those who see her insane. Actors performing Yotsuya Kaidan without paying respects to her often experience strange accidents, sudden illnesses, or persistent nightmares. Many believe that Oiwa still roams, forever seeking revenge on traitors.
2. Kuchisake-onna – The Slit-Mouthed Woman
👻 Ghost Age: Unknown (but widely reported since the 1970s)
⚧️ Gender: Female
💀 Skills: Supernatural speed, wielding sharp scissors, trapping victims with an impossible question
🎭 Hobbies: Asking, “Am I pretty?” and ensuring victims die no matter their answer
🗓️ Origin: A modern urban legend, with sightings spiking in 1979 in Gifu Prefecture.
🧭 Cultural Significance: Reflects Japan’s societal obsession with beauty standards.
👗 Distinguishing Features: A woman wearing a surgical mask, a long coat, and carrying scissors or a knife, often lurking in deserted streets.
🔎 Description
Imagine walking home alone at night when a woman approaches and softly asks, “Am I pretty?” If you say “yes,” she removes her mask, revealing a mouth slit from ear to ear, and asks again. If you say “no,” she kills you instantly.
This legend began spreading in 1978 in Gifu Prefecture and quickly caused nationwide panic. According to AERA dot. (a publication of Asahi Shimbun), in 1979, the Gifu Nichi-Nichi Newspaper published reports about the Kuchisake-onna rumors, intensifying public fear. As sightings of a mysterious woman wandering at night increased, the panic escalated to the point where police had to increase night patrols to reassure the public.
3. Teke Teke – The Half-Body Ghost
👻 Ghost Age: Over 60 years (originating post-WWII)
⚧️ Gender: Female
💀 Skills: Faster than any human, slicing victims in half within seconds
🎭 Hobbies: Appearing near train tracks and testing people’s running speed
🗓️ Origin: Based on a true story of a schoolgirl who fell onto train tracks in Hokkaido.
🧭 Cultural Significance: A grim reminder of railway dangers in Japan.
👗 Distinguishing Features: The upper half of a girl, crawling with her hands, making a “teke teke” sound as she moves.
🔎 Description
Teke Teke is a ghost that never stops moving. Witnesses report hearing eerie scraping noises near train tracks before seeing a torso suddenly rushing toward them. The unexplained disappearances in these areas only strengthen the belief that Teke Teke still prowls at night, hunting for new victims.
4. Okiku – The Well Ghost
👻 Ghost Age: Over 400 years (murdered during the Edo period)
⚧️ Gender: Female
💀 Skills: Driving people insane with eerie counting, appearing as a ghostly figure
🎭 Hobbies: Counting from one to nine, then sobbing uncontrollably
🗓️ Origin: A servant named Okiku was killed and thrown into a well at Himeji Castle.
🧭 Cultural Significance: Inspired multiple Kabuki plays and influenced the character of Sadako in The Ring.
👗 Distinguishing Features: A woman in a white kimono with long, unkempt hair, often seen near ancient wells.
🔎 Description
If you visit Himeji Castle at night, stay away from the old well. Visitors have reported hearing a faint voice counting: “ichi… ni… san…”—only for it to stop at nine, followed by heartbreaking sobs. Some who linger have seen a white figure standing beside the well, her face hidden beneath her long hair, as if waiting for someone to complete the count.
5. Gashadokuro – The Giant Skeleton of Revenge
👻 Ghost Age: Unknown (formed from the spirits of those who starved to death)
⚧️ Gender: None, though often depicted as an ancient warrior
💀 Skills: Invisible to most, crushing victims instantly
🎭 Hobbies: Snatching lone travelers and devouring them without a trace
🗓️ Origin: First mentioned during the Heian period, when famine and war left thousands dead.
🧭 Cultural Significance: Symbolizes Japan’s historical suffering from war and famine.
👗 Distinguishing Features: A giant skeleton over 15 meters tall, rattling eerily through the air. According to historical records, Gashadokuro is seen as a symbol of famine and war during the Heian period, formed from the countless souls who perished from starvation.
🔎 Description
On silent nights, some believe that a sudden chill down the spine means Gashadokuro is near. Those unlucky enough to encounter it are crushed instantly, leaving no trace behind. Ancient records detail cases of mysterious disappearances, leading some to wonder—were these victims simply lost, or were they swallowed whole by this monstrous skeleton?
But Don’t Worry Too Much…
Japanese ghosts are scary, sure, but do you know what’s scarier? Deadlines creeping up on you, a midnight text saying, “We need to talk,” or realizing you ran out of instant ramen seasoning. So don’t stress too much about these spirits—they may haunt you at night, but at least they won’t ask you to file your taxes or submit that report by tomorrow morning!
