19 Japanese urban legends and haunted places in Tokyo

This unassuming space once served as part of the location for Sugamo Prison from 1895 to 1958, until the detention centre was demolished in the '70s. The prison oversaw the execution of several inmates, including former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo in 1948 after the location was taken over by Allied forces after the end of World War II in 1945.

All that remains in the area to remind us of the place's dark history is a memorial stone engraved with the saying 'Pray for eternal peace'. Though the idea of walking around a former prison and execution site is indeed rather spooky, this place is quite mild for a supposedly haunted location. Spook Factor: 1 out of 5

Time Out tip: Cheer yourself up with a visit to the Sesame Street Market in Sunshine City right around the corner after your visit.

This park just a few minutes' walk from Roppongi Station hosted the residence of the powerful Mori family during the Edo period (1603–1868). It's said that back then a dead woman was found naked in the pond – supposedly a maid who fell in love with a samurai, though her identity and cause of death are cause for speculation. Her ghost allegedly appears at night, hovering over the water.

Though we didn't see a ghostly woman in the buff when we were there, who's to say she doesn't appear every now and then? Still, not all that scary. Spook Factor: 1 out of 5

Time Out tip: The rest area (pictured above) closes around 10pm. Come earlier in the night for a nice evening viewing spot.

A proper spooky Halloween isn't complete without a visit to a burial ground, and what better choice than Aoyama Cemetery, one of Tokyo's largest? The 260,000sqm haunt (sorry) is Tokyo's first public cemetery and houses over 126,000 souls, both foreign and local. It's said that taxi drivers avoid picking up passengers near this area, as late-night riders have been known to mysteriously vanish, leaving the backseat drenched.

Haunted or not, cemeteries are creepy at night by default, so we're bumping up our rating. Spook Factor: 3 out of 5

Time Out tip: Come back in the spring for the gorgeous cherry blossoms, but whether you're visiting for Halloween or hanami, remember to be respectful of the dead's final resting place.

Located in Shinjuku, Toyama Park and its quaint hill, Mount Hakone, are lovely for a leisurely daytime stroll, but the location harbours a sinister past. The area housed a medical facility during the Second World War with supposed ties to the Imperial Army's infamous Unit 731, which allegedly performed horrific medical experiments on prisoners. Alleged medical 'research' or not, a mass grave of hundreds of corpses was uncovered in the park in 1989.

It's said that late at night you can hear screaming and sobbing and see fiery balls of light. We didn't hear or see anything untoward during our nighttime visit, but there was undeniably a vibe. Add to that the location's unspeakably horrendous history, and it's enough to send a chill down anyone's spine. Spook Factor: 4 out of 5

Time Out tip: We found the public toilets here to be particularly unnerving. Might be because the ghost of a man who hanged himself is said to appear there. In other words, you might want to do your business elsewhere.

Sendagaya Tunnel near the National Stadium was constructed in 1964 for the Olympics. It looks just like any other tunnel, but has the misfortune of being located underneath the cemetery of a temple. A number of strange phenomena are said to occur here, most notably the appearance of a long-haired woman covered in blood who drops from the ceiling onto unsuspecting cars below.

At one end of the tunnel is the recording venue Studio Victor, where even the likes of pop superstar Gen Hoshino reportedly felt a presence while recording his 2025 song 'I Wanna Be Your Ghost'. We haven't recorded any chart-topping records lately, so we'll take his word for it. Spook Factor: 2 out of 5

Time Out tip: Come during the day to visit Senjuin Temple right around the corner and up a flight of stairs.

The February 26 Incident of 1936 was the largest coup d’état in modern Japanese history, in which around 1,400 young Imperial Japanese Army officers attempted to assassinate key government leaders, including then-Prime Minister Keisuke Okada. Though a few officials were slain, the coup was ultimately unsuccessful. Nineteen men were executed as a result, and dozens more were imprisoned.

The Kannon statue near the south exit of the NHK building in Shibuya was later erected in an attempt to appease the spirits of the officers and others who lost their lives during the incident. As for its supposed haunted status, the statue is located right on a street corner, so the area is too busy to ever be truly frightening. Spook Factor: 1 out of 5

Time Out tip: Take a stroll through nearby Yoyogi Park to shake off any creepy vibes you may be feeling after your visit.

This shrine in Shinjuku near Yotsuya-Sanchome Station is dedicated to Oiwa Iemon, wife of legendary samurai Tamiya Iemon. The two were inspiration for the characters in the 1825 play Yotsuya Kaidan ('Ghost Story of Yotsuya'), easily one of the most famous Japanese tales, in which a husband is haunted by the spirit of his dead wife.

It's said that anyone planning to perform in Yotsuya Kaidan productions should visit this shrine in person and pay their respects to avoid being cursed. The venue closes at 5pm, so it's inaccessible at night, but we'll give it an extra point on the spooky scale for being so influential in Japanese horror history. Spook Factor: 2 out of 5

Time Out tip: Check out 'rival' Younji Shrine just down the street and get a cup of matcha and wagashi (Japanese sweets) at its charming little café.

Taira no Masakado is one of Japan's most notorious onryo (vengeful spirits). His fascinating story is worth volumes, but we'll give you the extremely abridged version. The fearsome warrior from the Heian period (794–1185) led a somewhat-but-not-completely-successful rebellion against the government in Kyoto, proclaiming himself the new emperor. Officials put a bounty on his head, literally, and Masakado was beheaded by his own cousin.

Here's where the legend really takes off. Masakado's head is said to have flown around the country terrorising citizens for centuries, his undying wrath causing all manner of accidents, deaths, natural disasters and calamities. He was eventually granted god status to appease his belligerent spirit; his severed head has a resting place at its current location a stone's throw from Otemachi Station, though whether his noggin is truly there is up for debate.

The remarkable tale is spine-tingling, but the tomb's location makes it hard to evoke much fear. Spook Factor: 1 out of 5

Time Out tip: The locals treat this area with the utmost respect – please be sure to do the same. Bow at the bottom of the steps before you approach the tomb. When you leave, turn around and bow again at the bottom of the steps before walking away.

Kozukappara was one of three main Edo-period execution grounds, which the Tokugawa shogunate used to dispose of criminals. From 1651 to 1873 a truly staggering 200,000 people were killed here in the most abhorrent ways imaginable: beheading, crucifixion, decapitation, being burned at the stake or boiled alive – to name a few. Most of the area is now covered by Minami-Senju Station's railway tracks, though Enmeiji Temple serves as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed here.

The temple closes at 4.30pm, but no matter: there's a palpable heaviness in the air even during daylight hours. Spook Factor: 3 out of 5

Time Out tip: After your visit, stop by Ekoin Temple right down the street for a double dose of sobering reflection on the cruelties of humanity.

Hachioji Castle was constructed by the Hojo clan in the late 1500s and served as their largest branch castle. In 1590, the stronghold was attacked by warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who wiped out the castle's defenses in a single day. Hundreds lost their lives, and it's said that you can still hear their disembodied screams and see strange flashes of light among the ruins, among other paranormal activities.

To get to the ruins, take the Chuo line to Takao Station, then hop on a bus to 'Cemetery Main Gate' Station. From there it's about a 20-minute walk to the castle grounds and about an hour's hike to the summit depending on your pace.

Breath-taking views greet you on the way to the top, but as the sun sets, the mood shifts dramatically in the isolating wilderness. Do not make the mistake of getting stranded here in the dark. Spook Factor: 5 out of 5

Time Out tip: It may be tempting to sneak in late at night for an extra spooky adventure, but for your own personal safety, we strongly recommend coming only during daylight hours.