There is was in front of us. A house that many claim to be one of the most haunted in this part of Kyoto.

The house is a Showa Era single-family dwelling that definitely looks the part of a haunted house. The tiles were falling off the roof, the mud walls had cracks, and every window in the house was broken. You could also see furniture and belongings inside the house from the street.

Hidden in the tranquil countryside of Fukui Prefecture, Maruoka Castle stands as one of the oldest surviving castle towers in all of Japan. But behind its serene façade lies a disturbing story of sacrifice and betrayal. In our latest episode of the Supernatural Japan podcast, we explore the chilling legend of Oshizu, a woman buried alive beneath the castle to ensure its stability—and the ghostly mist said to mark her restless presence.

High in the misty forests of Mount Hiba, strange sightings have persisted for decades—of a large, ape-like creature, covered in black or reddish-brown fur, with glaring eyes and a foul smell. Locals call it the Hibagon (ヒバゴン), and some say it’s Japan’s answer to Bigfoot.