[2026 Latest] Top 3 Ranking of Paranormal Rumors at Waterfronts and Railway Ruins in Gunma Prefecture

This article focuses on three locations in Gunma Prefecture known for paranormal rumors: Fukiware Falls, Kumanotaira Station, and Hanetaki Bridge. We verified the content of the rumors using external summaries and cross-referenced them with the topography, facilities, history, and usage conditions published by the local government. The existence of a source does not necessarily mean that the described phenomena are factual. The rankings and scores are based not on how scary or dangerous each location is, but on the transparency and specificity of the materials used for verification.

Survey methods and evaluation criteria

For each location, we separately and directly checked the rumor-posting pages outside the horror story file and the local government documents. We divided the rumors into short, atomic claims and compared them to see if the official documents supported the same subject, facts, and polarity. We did not dismiss a claim simply because the official documents did not mention the supernatural phenomenon, and we treated claims that could not be directly compared as unconfirmed. The overall judgment was indicated with one of four values: "match," "partial match," "mismatch," or "undecidable." The quality of the materials was scored out of 100 points, based on source transparency, historical and spatial context, safety information, recency of information, and transparency of the rumor's origin.

1st Place: Fukiware Falls | Undecided (89 points)

The rumored details

A compilation of external posts includes an account of someone who, while visiting Fukiware Falls, experienced stomach pain and nausea on the way to the falls, but the symptoms subsided after leaving the area. Furthermore, there is a follow-up report that a companion who revisited the site later said that numerous white, round objects appeared in photos taken on a different day. This is a rumor compiled from the poster's own experience and hearsay, and no documentation is provided to confirm the medical cause or shooting conditions.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

I checked the Numata City page of the "Summary of Haunted Spot Threads" as an example of secondary publication. The page contains a series of posts dated March 31, 2009, and separates the stories about physical changes and subsequent images. I was unable to confirm any independent testimonies other than the original poster or original sources, and I could not identify the origin of the rumor.

• A compilation of ghost stories from Numata City.(Confirmed on 2026-09-14) — This post contains a series of entries describing abdominal pain and nausea experienced on the way to Fukiware Falls, recovery after leaving the area, and the appearance of a white, round object in a later photograph.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The official Numata City website explains that Fukiware Falls was designated a natural monument and scenic spot on December 16, 1936, and that it is 7 meters high and 30 meters wide. It describes the topography as being formed by the Katashina River eroding the softer parts of tuff and granite, creating numerous cracks, and that there are walking trails, Masutobi Falls, Ukishima Kannon-do, and an observation deck in the surrounding area. There are no records regarding changes in physical condition or the white, round statue.

• Numata City: "Introduction to Fukiware Falls"(Verification Date: 2026-09-14) — This describes Fukiware Falls, designated as a natural monument and scenic spot, with a height of 7 meters, a width of 30 meters, its formation by rock bed erosion, and the surrounding walking trails.

Points of agreement/contradictions

The rumor page and the official page both deal with the same Fukiware Falls, and they agree that it is a scenic spot with strong water flow and rocky bedrock. However, the topographical description in the official document does not explain the reason for the claim that the stomach ache and nausea experienced during the visit subsided after leaving the site. Regarding the white, round statue, there is no information on the date and time of the photograph, equipment used, weather, or original data, so it cannot be compared with the official document on the same basis of fact.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
I experienced stomach pain and nausea on the way to the waterfall.	Unconfirmed	This is presented as the poster's personal experience, but there is no independent data that allows for direct comparison of the environment at the time of occurrence or the medical cause.	No official data available for direct comparison.
Numerous white, round objects were visible in a photograph taken on a different day.	Unconfirmed	This is because, while it can be confirmed through hearsay at a later date, the original data, shooting conditions, and verification results by a third party have not been presented.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

Water splashes, fog, backlighting, and water droplets or dust on the lens surface may be recorded as white, round images during shooting. Regarding changes in physical condition, several factors such as travel, temperature, meals, and fatigue could be considered, but since there are no records from that time, it is not possible to definitively determine which one was the cause.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

I checked one compilation of external posts and one introductory page for Numata City. I was unable to obtain the original images, shooting information, medical records, separate records of companions, or information on the weather and walking trail conditions on that day. The absence of any mention of paranormal activity on the municipality's page does not prove that no individual experiences occurred.

Verification result: Indeterminate

While the two claims of abdominal pain and nausea, and the white, round statue, can be found on external websites, there is no independent source to support or refute the same situation. The Numata City documents are limited to confirming the existence, topography, size, and surrounding facilities of Fukiware Falls, so it is impossible to determine the veracity of the rumors.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	27/30	This is because we can directly obtain the rumored page and the Numata City official page separately, allowing us to clearly indicate the locations and URLs of the information we've verified.
Historical and spatial context	23/25	This is because the date of designation as a natural monument and scenic spot, the size of the waterfall, the rock type, and the formation of the topography due to erosion can be confirmed in local government documents.
Safety information	18/20	This is because it allows us to confirm the presence of walking paths and multiple viewing points in the surrounding area, thus clarifying the need to prioritize on-site management information.
Newness of information	13/15	This is because I directly checked both the rumor page and the accessible official Numata City page on September 14, 2026.
Transparency of the source of rumors	8/10	While the posting date and the details of the experience can be confirmed, the original source, independent testimony, and original images cannot be identified.
total	89/100	This is the overall quality of the materials. It does not represent the degree of truthfulness or danger associated with the supernatural phenomena.

Safety information and maps

Around the waterfall, please be careful of the water flow, wet rocks, and the condition of the walking path, and do not cross fences or signs. Since access conditions can change, please check the latest information from Numata City before visiting and avoid exploring during dark hours.

Map location: Displays the coordinates where the waterfall itself was confirmed.

Check the area around Fukiware Falls on Google Maps.

2nd Place: Kumanotaira Station | Undecided (86 points)

The rumored details

The external page entry for "Former Kumanodaira Station" describes an experience at the location referred to as Kumanodaira Station in the main text, where a woman holding a child appeared at night from behind a small power substation and spoke to the person. The person also notes that after touching the darkness and after the conversation, the surroundings became strangely bright. This article will compare this with the current name of Kumanodaira Station, which Annaka City uses to indicate the end of the Abt Railway line.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

I have confirmed a post dated August 5, 2003, included on the Annaka City page of the "Summary of Haunted Spot Threads," as an example of secondary publication. While it mentions the person who experienced the event and their companions, no records other than the original post, the exact time, weather conditions, or independent corroboration are provided, and the origin of the rumor remains unknown.

• A compilation of threads about haunted places: "Scary stories from Annaka City"(Verification date 2026-09-14) — In the entry for the former Kumanodaira Station, there is a post describing a conversation with a woman holding a child, and how the surroundings became strangely brighter afterward.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The official Annaka City website guides visitors to Kumanotaira Station as the endpoint of the "Apt Trail" walking path. The Apt Trail utilizes the abandoned railway line from the Shin'etsu Main Line's Abt system era, stretching approximately 6.3 kilometers from Yokokawa Station to Kumanotaira Station. Along the way, visitors can find the former Maruyama Substation, a nationally designated important cultural property, as well as six bridges and ten tunnels. The website explains that the tunnel lights are on from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Annaka City "Apt Trail Walking Path"(Verification Date: 2026-09-14) — This provides information on the walking trail, railway heritage sites, and lighting times inside tunnels along the approximately 6.3-kilometer stretch from Yokokawa Station to Kumanotaira Station.

Points of agreement/contradictions

There is a difference in spelling between the rumored "Former Kumanodaira Station" and "Kumanodaira Station" and the official Kumanodaira Station, but both refer to locations related to the old railway line and substations on the Usui Pass. The official documents serve as a basis for confirming the abandoned railway line, railway heritage, distance, and lighting time, but they do not record the same events as the conversation with the woman or the surrounding light emission.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
A woman carrying a child appeared and spoke to me.	Unconfirmed	Although it is presented as a first-person experience, this is because there are no independent documents or original records from companions that document the same time and place.	No official data available for direct comparison.
The surroundings became strangely brighter after the conversation.	Unconfirmed	Although it is mentioned in the post, there are no records to confirm lighting conditions, moonlight, weather, exposure changes, etc.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

On a dark, abandoned railway line, the perception of brightness can change abruptly due to factors such as lighting, cloud cover, reflected light from the surroundings, and changes in dark adaptation. Echoes from equipment and tunnels can also affect the sense of direction of sound, but since the time and weather conditions at the time of posting are unknown, it is not possible to provide a specific explanation.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

The investigation focused on one compilation of external posts and one guide to the Apt Railway in Annaka City. We did not verify the video, audio, independent records by companions, lighting conditions, weather, or on-site facilities at the time of posting. While we compared differences in wording, we were unable to obtain any contemporary documents that would allow us to determine the authenticity of the strange occurrences.

Verification result: Indeterminate

The location of Kumanotaira Station, its status as a railway heritage site, and the hours of tunnel lighting were confirmed in official documents. However, there is no independent supporting evidence for the conversation with the woman holding a child and the core claim that the surroundings became brighter, making it impossible to support or refute them, and therefore impossible to make a judgment.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	26/30	This is because we can obtain the rumored page and the Annaka City walking trail guide separately and directly, and explain the differences in the notation in the text.
Historical and spatial context	23/25	This is because the spatial context, including the abandoned tracks of the Shin'etsu Main Line Abt system railway, the former Maruyama substation, bridges, and tunnels, can be confirmed through official documents.
Safety information	18/20	This is because it includes specific warnings from local governments regarding the lighting hours of tunnels and the dangers at night.
Newness of information	12/15	I checked both pages directly on September 14, 2026, and the rumor itself is a repost of a 2003 post.
Transparency of the source of rumors	7/10	Although the posting date and detailed account of the experience are available, the original publication date, the original testimony of the person who was there, and the conditions under which the incident occurred cannot be independently verified.
total	86/100	This is the overall quality of the materials. It does not represent the degree of truthfulness or danger associated with the supernatural phenomena.

Safety information and maps

Annaka City has announced that the tunnel lights will be on from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM and warns that it is dangerous at night. Avoid entering outside of the lighting hours, and be sure to follow any road closures or on-site management signs.

Map location: This shows the station site at the end of the Abt Railway line.

Check the area around Kumanohira Station on Google Maps.

3rd Place: Hanetaki Bridge | Undecided (80 points)

The rumored details

One compilation of external posts describes hearing women talking and laughing while crossing the Hanetaki Bridge, but finding no one on the other side, only to return and find their shoes neatly placed there. Another post describes an experience of falling into the river while fishing near the old bridge, feeling a pull on the leg while fishing. Both are accounts of the posters' experiences, and there is no independent documentation to show the circumstances of the incidents.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

I checked the Midori City page of the "Summary of Haunted Spot Threads" as an example of secondary publication. It contains forum posts from multiple years concerning Hanetaki Bridge, with individual descriptions of voices and the feeling of being pulled at the feet. However, the original site records, exact dates, third-party sources, and the origin of the rumors could not be confirmed.

• A compilation of ghost stories from Midori City.(Verification Date: 2026-09-14) — This post includes accounts of hearing women talking and laughing on Hanetaki Bridge, and a user who felt a tugging sensation near the old bridge.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The public relations materials released by Midori City introduce Hanetaki Bridge as a symbol of Takatsudo Gorge and explain that the bridge surface is covered with tiles depicting fish, birds, and other images donated from all over Japan. The walking trail around Takatsudo Gorge is a 0.5-kilometer-long promenade connecting Hanetaki Bridge and Takatsudo Bridge, and it can be seen that there are some steep stairs in some parts, as well as rest areas such as benches and gazebos.

• Midori City "Midori Public Relations Magazine, June 2021 Issue: Let's Walk in the Green"(Verification Date: 2026-09-14) — Hanetaki Bridge is introduced as a symbol of Takatsudo Gorge, and its tiled surface, approximately 0.5 kilometers of walking path, steep stairs, and rest areas are described.

Points of agreement/contradictions

The rumor page and official documents agree that Hanetaki Bridge is located along the Watarase River in Takatsudo Gorge. The official documents show the current structure of the bridge and promenade, the steep stairs, and the rest facilities, but they do not record the voices of the women, their footwear, or the feeling of being pulled. There is also a time lag between the experience near the old bridge and the current state of maintenance, so they cannot be compared under identical conditions.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
I heard women talking and laughing while crossing the street.	Unconfirmed	Although it is posted as a bulletin board entry, the recording, time of occurrence, surrounding usage conditions, and independent simultaneous recording cannot be confirmed.	No official data available for direct comparison.
While fishing, I felt something pull my leg and fell into the river.	Unconfirmed	While it can be confirmed through personal accounts, there is no data to compare the cause, such as water level, footing, current, or the original testimony of companions.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

In a gorge, the sound of flowing water, echoes from bridge decks and rock faces, and the rustling of trees in the wind can sound like distant conversations. Underwater stones, branches, and currents can also affect the sense of footing, but the water level, weather, and conditions around the old bridge at the time of posting are unknown, so it is not possible to attribute this to a specific cause.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

I only checked one compilation of external posts and one public relations document from Midori City. I did not verify the structure of the old bridge at the time of the posting, on-site records, river conditions, independent testimonies from companions, or acoustic surveys. The existence of multiple posts indicates the spread of rumors, but it does not prove that each experience is factual.

Verification result: Indeterminate

The existence of Hanetaki Bridge, its position relative to Takatsudo Gorge, and the current bridge surface and walking path can be confirmed in official documents. On the other hand, there is no independent document that directly supports or refutes the claims of voices, footwear, or the feeling of being pulled on the feet, and the differences in conditions compared to the time of the old bridge cannot be resolved, making a determination impossible.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	25/30	This is because we can directly obtain the pages where the rumors were published and the public documents from Midori City, allowing us to separate the points of confirmation regarding the bridge and the walking path.
Historical and spatial context	20/25	This is because the bridge's position as a symbol of Takatsudo Gorge, its current structure, and its relationship to the surrounding walking trails can be confirmed through local government documents.
Safety information	16/20	This is because the walking trail, which is approximately 0.5 kilometers long, includes steep stairs, and official documents confirm the existence of rest facilities.
Newness of information	12/15	I checked both documents directly on September 14, 2026, and the municipal document was published in 2021, while the rumor is a repost of a previous post.
Transparency of the source of rumors	7/10	While multiple posts and their dates can be confirmed, there is a lack of the original publication date, on-site records, and independent verification by a third party.
total	80/100	This is the overall quality of the materials. It does not represent the degree of truthfulness or danger associated with the supernatural phenomena.

Safety information and maps

The walking trails around Takatsudo Gorge have steep stairs, and caution is needed along the riverbanks due to wet footing and rising water levels. Do not cross fences or restricted areas, check the weather and local signs, and avoid exploring in the dark or obstructing traffic.

Map location: Displays the coordinates that were confirmed to be near the center of the bridge.

Check the area around Netaki Bridge on Google Maps.

What I learned by crossing locations

At all three locations, the rumor pages include specific experiences such as changes in physical condition, voices, lights, and inexplicable sensations. On the other hand, the municipal records only confirm the natural topography of Fukiware Falls, the railway heritage walking trail leading to Kumanotaira Station, and the walking environment of Hanetaki Bridge and Takatsudo Gorge. Even if the existence of the locations that serve as the setting for the rumors can be confirmed, that alone does not corroborate the content of the experiences. There are different environmental factors at each location, such as the sound of water, fog, dark tunnels, echoes, steep stairs, and reflections on the river surface, but because there are no records of the conditions at the time, the cause of each individual experience cannot be determined.

summary

Fukiware Falls, Kumanotaira Station, and Hanetaki Bridge all exist in Gunma Prefecture, and we were able to confirm their scenery, facilities, routes, and safety precautions from local government documents. External pages contain rumors specific to each location, but we could not find any independent documents recording the same date and conditions, so we cannot make a definitive judgment about any of the three locations. When visiting, please prioritize the latest management information such as the condition of the walking trails, lighting hours, and access areas, rather than verifying rumors.

FAQ

Does "undeterminable" mean the rumor is false?

No. It means there is a lack of independent evidence that directly supports or refutes the rumor about the same subject, event, or condition. The mere absence of information in official documents does not constitute a discrepancy.

Does the document quality score indicate the level of danger or risk?

We do not disclose this information. The scores evaluate the transparency of the source, the historical and spatial context, safety information, the recency of the information, and the transparency of the rumor's origin. This is separate from the veracity of the supernatural occurrence or the level of danger at the location.

Is it okay if I go to the location at night to verify the rumors?

This article does not encourage nighttime exploration or ghost hunting. Please follow the latest information from local authorities and administrators, including lighting hours, road closures, and access restrictions, and avoid making noise or obstructing traffic.