Scariest Japanese Urban Legends
NUMBER 6 – Aka Manto (Red Cape)
Our first on the list of the scariest Japanese urban legends is Aka Manto, or red cape. Aka Manto is a masked spirit that appears to people using public or school toilets. Sometimes the spirit is referred to as Aoi Manto or blue cape. Typically, the spirit is described as male and haunts female bathrooms, especially the last stall. The spirit appears to people and asks them if they want red paper or blue paper; however, in some versions, he asks to pick between a red cape and a blue cape.
If the person chooses red, then they will be killed by lacerations, which vary from being stabbed or flayed depending on the version. If the person instead chooses blue, they are either strangled to death or all of their blood is drained from their body. Regardless, if the person chooses either color, he will kill them. Also, if the person chooses a different color, then Aka Manto will drag them to hell. Some versions also say that if you say yellow paper, then Aka Manto will force the person’s head into the toilet. The only correct answers are to either run away, ignore the spirit, or reject both red and blue. However, even those don’t always work as sometimes Aka Manto will block the doorway if the person ignores him or tries to flee. This makes him number 6 on our list of scariest Japanese urban legends.
NUMBER 5 – The Red Room Curse
This story originated back in the late ‘90s when computers were starting to become more common place in Japanese households. The story revolves around a pop-up that appears when you’re alone on the computer. The pop-up has a red background and black text that reads in Japanese “Do you like the Red Room?” There is no way to close the pop-up and the video will repeat until it’s finished, even if you try to close it. After seeing this pop-up, the person will no longer be able to leave the room and the doors and windows will be locked. The person’s dead body will found days later with the walls painted red with blood.
This urban legend gained popularity after a real life case of murder was involved. A 12-year-old girl was murdered by her 11-year-old classmate in an event known as the Sasebo Slashing. The event took place in Sasebo, Nagasaki and the identity of the killer was never revealed as they were only 11-years-old. However, it was later discovered that the murderer had the video of the Red Room bookmarked on their computer.
This cemented the Red Room pop-up as a truly cursed video and makes it number 5 on our list of scariest Japanese urban legends.
NUMBER 4 – Hanako-san of the Toilet
Toire no Hanako-san, also known as just Hanako-san, is a Japanese urban legend about a yokai (spirit) of a young girl called Hanako-san. Hanako-san is another bathroom haunting spirit and is akin to the United States’ urban legend of Bloody Mary in that she can be summoned. Many Japanese students will dare their classmates to try and summon Hanako-san.
While accounts vary, she is described as a young girl with a bobbed haircut. She typically wears a red skirt or dress. There are several different versions of the story that explain how Hanako died. In one version, she committed suicide in the school bathroom. In another, she was killed in an air raid while hiding in the bathroom during World War II. The last common telling describes her being murdered in the bathroom by either an abusive parent or a stranger.
In order to summon Hanako, one must go into the girls’ bathroom on the third floor, knock three times on the third stall, and ask if Hanako-san is present. If Hanako is there, then she’ll reply back saying “Yes, I am.” When the person then opens the stall door, Hanako may just be waiting there. In some versions a bloody or ghostly hand crawls out of the toilet. The hand or Hanako herself will then pull the individual into the toilet, supposedly down to Hell. Depending on where the legend is told, some say that when the person opens the stall door they will be eaten by a three-headed lizard.
Being the U.S. equivalent to Bloody Mary and a little girl for extra creepiness puts Hanako-san fourth on our list of scariest Japanese urban legends.
NUMBER 3 – Slit-Mouthed Woman
Kuchisake-onna, meaning “slit-mouthed woman”, is a malicious spirit of a woman. She typically covers her mouth with a mask, and carries some kind of sharp object. Her origins are that of a woman whose mouth was sliced from ear to ear sometime during her life. In one version, she was an adulterous wife and her husband punished her for sleeping around by cutting the corners of her mouth. In another version she is mutilated during a medical procedure by a woman who was jealous of her beauty.
The malevolent spirit appears to people with her face covered and holds a sharp weapon, either a knife, scythe or scissors. She’ll then ask them a question. “Am I pretty?” Answer “No” and she’ll kill you with her weapon. Answer “Yes” however, and she’ll take off her mask to reveal her mutilated mouth and ask “How about now?” If the person screams or says no, then she’ll cut them in half, but if they say yes, then Kuchisake-onna will cut their mouth to look like hers.
There is a way to make it through the encounter unscathed. In some variations of the legend, you can say “average” when Kuchisake-onna reveals her face and asks “How about now?” Alternatively, if you throw money or certain hard candies (Especially bekko ame, basically caramelized sugar) near her, then she will pick them up and you can run away. Also, sometimes saying “pomade” three times will work as well.
With an image like the one above, it’s easy to see why Kuchisake-onna is number 3 on our list of scariest Japanese urban legends.
NUMBER 2 –Teketeke (Kashima Reiko)
The Japanese urban legend known as Teketeke is about a woman who fell onto the train tracks at the worst possible time. She was subsequently cut in half by the train and killed. Her vengeful spirit now haunts train stations or the area around them at night.
The spirit crawls on its hands, dragging their legless torso behind. Sometimes depicted as wielding a scythe. Teketeke will chase her victims around trying to slice them in half so that they can be like her. The name Teketeke is an onomatopoeia referencing the scratching sounds she makes as she drags her body around.
Another alternative version names the young woman who fell in to the tracks as Kashima Reiko. While she was similarly cut in half by the train, she instead haunts bathroom stalls. She’ll ask them a question like many of these spirits seem to do. “Where are my legs?” If the person answer incorrectly, she’ll cut or rip their legs off. An answer that is acceptable is that her legs are on the Meishin Expressway. Another correct answer is to say “kamen shinin ma” or “masked death demon” (which shortens to her name Kashima).
Teketeke is like a combo of Hanako-san and Kuchisake-onna all rolled into one. Which makes her number 2 on the list scariest Japanese urban legends.
NUMBER 1 – Kisaragi Station
The legend of Kisaragi Station comes from the website 2chan in 2004. A user named Hasumi started posting about a strange experience where the train wasn’t stopping at any stations. Rather than just paraphrasing, a translation of the full story is below. Each of Hasumi’s posts were responded to by multiple other 2chan users, which are just labelled as 2chan Users for simplicity.
Hasumi
This may just be my imagination… Can I post it anyway?
2chan Users
Sure, go ahead. What’s going on?
Hasumi
I’ve been riding a certain train for a while, but something seems off.
2chan Users
Okay.
Hasumi
I always take this train to work. But it hasn’t stopped at any stations for the past twenty minutes or so. It usually only takes five minutes, seven or eight at worst. Oh, and there’s five other passengers, but they’re all sleeping.
2chan Users
Did you take the express train by mistake?
Hasumi
Well, it’s possible I may have just missed my stop. I’ll wait a little longer. If anything else strange occurs, I might bring it up here.
2chan Users
First of all, why don’t you go to the front carriage and see the conductor? If he had an epileptic fit or something that would be terrible. Go and check on him!
Hasumi
It still doesn’t look like we’re going to stop anywhere, so I’ll go and have a look.
The blinds or something are covering the window, so I can’t see the driver. I’m on a private railway in Shizuoka Prefecture.
2chan Users
Did you knock on the window?
Hasumi
I did, but there was no answer.
2chan Users
Can you see outside? Can you see the names of passing stations or anything?
Hasumi
After leaving the tunnel the train has started to slow down a little. We don’t usually pass through a tunnel though. It’s the train from Shin-Hamamatsu Station.
It looks like we’re about to stop.
2chan Users
You’re not gonna get off, are you?
Hasumi
We’re stopped at Kisaragi Station, but I wonder if I should get off? I’ve never seen or heard of this station before.
2chan Users
You should get off.
No, you should stay on until the last stop.
I mean, the train should’ve started moving again by now, shouldn’t it?
Hasumi, what time did you get on the train?
Hasumi
I got off. The station is empty. I got on the train around 11.40 pm, I think.
2chan Users
I did a search for Kisaragi Station, but nothing came up… And hang on, your train’s been running for an hour now? Alright, I’m off to take a bath.
I also looked for Kisaragi Station, but there’s nothing here.
Hasumi
I think I should go back. I’ve been looking for a timetable, but I can’t find anything. The train is still here, so I wonder if it would be safer to just get back on? Well, while I was writing that I already got back on board.
2chan Users
Are there any buildings nearby that look like they might have people? It’s cold out there, so be careful.
Hasumi
I’m going to leave the station and see if I can spot a taxi. Thanks.
2chan Users
Sounds good. Take care.
I doubt you’ll easily be able to find a taxi at an empty station after the last trains have already run.
And it looks like Hasumi’s become a resident of the 2D world.
Hasumi
There’s nothing here, let alone a taxi. What should I do now?
2chan Users
Go find the station attendant or find a nearby police box!
Shouldn’t you call 110?
Call the taxi company?
All you can do now is go to the nearest convenience store.
If there’s a public phone nearby, then you should look up the number of the taxi company and call them.
Hasumi
I already called home and asked to be picked up, but neither of my parents know where Kisaragi Station is located. They’ll look for it on the maps so they can come get me, but I’m starting to get a little scared.
2chan Users
What happened to the other people on the train? Were you the only one who off the train?
Hasumi, I also tried to find Kisaragi Station online, but there isn’t anything here. You said you were near the Shin-Hamamatsu area, right? I’ll see if I can find something on Yahoo about it.
Hasumi
I looked for a public phone, but there is nothing. And no one else got off, so now I’m alone. It’s definitely called Kisaragi.
2chan Users
There’s a chance you’ll find a public phone away from the station.
Why don’t you try to leave the station?
I just did a bit of researching and the kanji for “oni” (demon) can also be read as “kisaragi”, right?
So you mean “Demon Station”…? That’s scary.
Are you a video game nerd? When I googled it, I just found a game.
Write down the stations before and after Kisaragi Station. Don’t say there’s nothing written anywhere.
Hasumi
What game are you talking about? There aren’t any previous or next stations written anywhere.
2chan Users
Walk back along the track.
If you start running now, you might be able to catch up to the train!
It’s a station, so there has to be people living nearby.
Hasumi
Yes, there are. I didn’t notice since I was panicking. I’m waiting for my parents to call while walking along the track. I tried to check town information on i-mode, but it gave me a “point error”. I just want to go home.
2chan Users
Whether this is a joke or not, I’m going to work on solving this seriously.
Hasumi
There really isn’t anything around. All I see are grasslands and mountains. But if I follow the railway tracks, I think I can get home, so I’ll do my best. Thank you. You might think this is all just a joke, but can I come back if I run into any other problems?
2chan Users
Of course. Either way, be careful.
Of course. Just be careful your phone doesn’t die. It’s your lifeline right now.
Don’t start walking in the wrong direction. And be careful inside the tunnel.
Can a phone get reception in an area with nothing around? I think it would be better if you stayed near the station…
All alone at an unmanned station on a cold night. The lights will probably turn off soon and it’ll be dark.
The railway tracks are an even darker trap. There’s a tunnel after that too, right?
And yet, it would probably be safer to just sleep at the station…
This is really risky.
Hasumi
My father jus2t called. He had a lot of questions, but in the end we have no clue where I am at, so he told me to call 110. I don’t want to, but I’m going to call the police, and see if they can help me…
2chan Users
I think it will be easier for you to move around once it’s brighter…
Could you really wait there all alone at night? In a strange, unfamiliar place…
Could you go through a tunnel all alone at night? On some strange, unfamiliar train tracks…
So could you keep walking through some unfamiliar street at night in the cold?
Hasumi
I tried explaining my situation as best I could to the police, but they thought I was joking and got angry. I was so scared that I ended up apologizing to them…
2chan Users
Why did you apologize? You should call it a night. Go wait at the station for the first train.
What’s around the station? Is there anything there?
Hasumi
I can hear what sounds like beating drums from far away, mixed with a ringing bell. Honestly, I don’t know what to do anymore.
2chan Users
Hasumi, you need to go back to the station. It’s best to go back to where you started in the first place when you get lost.
It’s about to start…
Drums and bells?
It’s probably a festival.
Hasumi
You might think I’m lying, but I’m really scared, I can’t look back. I want to go back to the station, but I can’t turn back.
2chan Users
Run. Whatever you do, don’t look back.
Don’t look back at the station! You’ll be taken. Just run to the tunnel, right now! It should be closer than you think.
Hasumi
Someone behind me yelled “Hey! Don’t walk on the track, it’s dangerous!” I looked around expecting to see an attendant, and saw a one-legged old man, but he just disappeared. I think I’m too scared to move.
2chan Users
I told you not to look back! RUN!
Calm down and just listen to what I saying. Try going towards the sound of the drums. There should be people there.
Just where are you trying to send Hasumi?
That’s not it at all, Hasumi is about to be taken away. That’s why I’m saying she should go back if she’s able to.
How could you tell it was an old guy with one leg?
…because it’s an old guy with one leg?
It’s probably some guy that was hit by a train, lost his leg, and died.
Hasumi
I can’t walk and I can’t run anymore. The sound of the drums is getting closer.
2chan Users
Just wait until morning. Once it’s brighter, it won’t as scary.
You should have just gotten back on the train.
Hasumi
I’m still alive. I fell over and I’m bleeding, but I’m still holding onto the heel I broke. I don’t want to die yet.
2chan Users
Well, it’s not like things were going to get better if you stayed in the one spot, anyway.
I think you’ll be fine if you can get through the tunnel, anyhow. When you pass through, let us know and get some help.
Hasumi
I called home. My dad said he’d call the police for me, but the sound is getting closer and closer.
2chan Users
Well, let’s just pray that isn’t the sound of an approaching train. Having said that, it’s probably too late now.
Hasumi
I finally made it to the front of the tunnel. The name says Isanuki. The sounds are still getting closer, so I’m going to go in the tunnel. If I’m safe when I get out of the tunnel, I’ll post again.
2chan Users
Good luck.
This is it. The train and the station are gone. You can’t go back. There isn’t anyone to follow. The sound you heard is a phantom of your own past. Run into the tunnel. If you stop, you’ll just be stuck between worlds.
Hasumi
I’ve exited the tunnel. Someone’s standing up ahead of me. It seems like doing what you guys suggested was the right answer. Thank you. I’m probably going to be mistaken for a monster, my face is a teary mess.
2chan Users
Hasumi, stop! Don’t go!
Stop! It’s dangerous!
Who would just be standing there at such a time? It’s very suspicious…
Hasumi
Sorry for making you guys worry. The person was very kind and said they’d take me to the nearest station. Apparently there’s a business hotel or something near there. Everyone, thank you so much.
2chan Users
Hasumi. I want to ask you something, so please answer. Where are you? Can you ask that kind person the name?
Are they actually kind? They could be scarier than what’s going on here, you know.
Yeah, maybe. Anyway, where the hell are you?
That person is dangerous! Why would someone be on the train tracks at this time of night? They must have run into you while disposing of a dead body or something! Run!
Hasumi
I asked where we are, but he just said ‘Hina.’ There’s no way that’s true though.
2chan Users
Hasumi, get out of the car!
I’m sorry, Hasumi. Where is Hina?
What a weird story. So at this specific time some suspicious old guy just happened to be there to pick up a girl walking along the train tracks…? What was he doing?
Hasumi
We’ve started getting closer to the mountains. I don’t think there’s anywhere for the car to stop, and he’s stopped talking to me.
2chan Users
There’s no reason for even a strange old dude to be awake at this time.
Maybe he’s stopped talking to you because you’re always on your phone?
Hasumi, this is dangerous. Did you tell your parents to come and get you from the tunnel?
Hasumi. Call 110. This could be the last time you ever write something .
Hasumi
My battery’s basically dead. Things are getting strange, so I’m going to try to run the first chance I get. He’s been talking about something I can’t understand for a while now. Just so I’m ready, I’m going to make this my last post for now.
*END*
That was the last post Hasumi made on 2chan. Nobody knows what happened to her or if it was all just a joke. Either way it’s one of the more recent Japanese urban legends and possibly the scariest. Here is the original 2chan post in Japanese. Since Hasumi’s post in 2004, multiple people have reported having been to Kisaragi Station and come back. If you do end up at this unknown station, then you shouldn’t attempt to leave the area or get off the train.
