Japanese Urban Legends

Himuro Mansion – a secluded building located in the outskirts of Tokyo where several murders were reported. Something called “The Strangling Ritual” was performed by a family who believed that the house is bringing karma to them so they adopted a little girl. They raised her then after a while, tied her in 5 different directions that will eventually rip the girl’s limbs and head off. The family believed that every sacrifice will protect them from the portal to death. It then backfired to the family when the father of the young girl murdered them before dying from his sword.

Girl from the Gap – the girl that will ask you to play hide and seek. Even though you said a no or a yes, the game already begins. She can be seen from gaps of wardrobes, doors or even just in the opening of a bag. Sometimes seeing her from a gap, she will eventually drag you to another worldly hell. That can be the end of it.

The Human Pillars – known as “Hito-bashira” in Japan. Back in the days, a human sacrifice are sealed to make buildings more stable or long-standing. Constructions are said to be coated with human spirits. One famous structure is the “Matsue Castle” where a woman was sacrificed. Her spirit is said to disturb the castle until on and whenever a woman dances there, the castle eventually shakes.

Onibaba – She is most likely to be known as the demon woman in most Japanese folklores. People see her and she will ask for help and when you get too close, she will slice you open with a knife and eat you. Legend says that Onibaba is the woman who killed her unborn child and her grandchild to be able to cure her friends sickness.

Gozu – also known as “Cow Head”. A 17th century myth that is to this day terrifies certain audience. Only parts remain to the story as the book were torn by parts. But one thing for sure is that people came to the conclusion that if you read the story, you can never stop reading. One teacher once read the story to his students and had some sort of force making him to continue the story. He woke up few hours later only to find out that the students were unconscious.

The Okiku Doll – the most terrifying thing about this doll is that its hair is growing like a human hair. Back in 1918, it was said that a brother gave her 2-year-old sister a doll. Sadly, the little girl died so the family decided to keep the doll as a memory. They then saw the hair growing, consult a priest immediately and the priest decided to keep it.

Images taken from

• Google Images

• Splash Images

• Pinterest