The Haunting of Maruoka Castle
The Legend of Oshizu, the Ghost Beneath the Stone
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 Episode 37 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.
Maruoka Castle as it looks today.
Constructed in 1576 during the Sengoku period, Maruoka Castle was plagued by failure. Its walls collapsed repeatedly during construction, leading retainers to suggest a dark ritual known as hitobashira—a human sacrifice entombed alive beneath the foundation to appease spirits and bring structural integrity.
Enter Oshizu, a poor local woman with one blind eye and a young son. She agreed to the unimaginable: to be buried alive under the castle’s keep. But she had one condition—that her son be made a samurai.
Her sacrifice stabilized the castle. The structure stood firm. But the promise? It was broken.
After her death and the betrayal of the lord’s vow, strange things began to happen. Every spring, an unnatural mist would descend on the castle grounds—dense, chilling, and persistent. Locals began calling it Oshizu-gasumi (“Oshizu’s Mist”).
To this day, the ghost of Oshizu is said to linger. Visitors to Maruoka Castle report:
Sudden chills on clear days
Unseen footsteps
Disembodied whispers near the stone base
A pale figure watching through the mist
These ghostly tales have cemented Maruoka Castle as one of the most haunted castles in Japan, a hotspot for those fascinated by Japanese yūrei (spirits of the dead) and dark folklore.
A Ghost Remembered
In modern times, a small memorial has been erected to honor Oshizu. Some say it brought her peace—but many believe she still waits beneath the stone, her spirit bound by betrayal.
Despite its eerie past, Maruoka Castle is a beautiful site to visit. It offers panoramic views, stunning cherry blossoms in spring, and a chance to walk among history’s shadows.
The small memorial has been erected to honor Oshizu.
Plan Your Visit
Location: Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan
Highlight: One of Japan’s last remaining original wooden castle towers
When to Visit: Spring, when Oshizu’s mist is said to return
Listen to this epsidoe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.