[2026 Latest] Top 3 Ranking of Ghostly Rumors in Old Tunnels in Kyushu

This study compared information on three old tunnels in Kyushu that are rumored to be haunted, comparing external rumor-sharing websites with databases from local governments and the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The ranking is based not on the perceived frightening nature or the truthfulness of the supernatural occurrences, but on the quality of the source material, historical context, safety information, and the recency of the information. The mere existence of a rumor on a website does not necessarily mean that the phenomena described there actually exist.

Survey methods and evaluation criteria

For each location, rumors conveyed by external pages were broken down into short, atomic claims and compared with the name, location, age, structure, and management status as indicated by the local government or public cultural heritage database. The existence or age of a location alone was not used to confirm the existence of paranormal phenomena; if there was no independent record directly supporting or refuting the same subject and facts, it was marked as "undeterminable." The ranking score represents the ease of tracing the source material, not the degree of danger or horror.

1st Place: Old Inunaki Tunnel | Undecided (88 points)

The rumored details

The web magazine "Yoikurage" from the Faculty of Media Expression at Kyoto Seika University introduces the Inunaki region, mentioning the story of a "village" where the constitution did not apply and the rumors that paranormal phenomena occur in the old Inunaki Tunnel. The article also touches on the dangers of going out onto the road at night and the nuisance to the local area, and is treated here only as an example of a rumor being published.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The source of the rumors is "Inunaki Pass from a Fukuoka Resident's Perspective," published on November 22, 2024. The article compiles the author's regional perspective along with stories from movies, games, and the internet, but since the original narrator, initial publication medium, date of occurrence, and independent observation records for each rumor are not indicated, it is classified as a secondary publication/first source unknown.

• Yoikurage: Inunaki Pass from the perspective of a Fukuoka resident(Verification Date: 2026-09-12) — This article introduces the legend of Inunaki Village and rumors of paranormal activity at the old Inunaki Tunnel, and also touches upon the dangers of visiting late at night and the potential nuisance to the local community.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

Miyawaka City has released a document titled "Regarding the Old Inunaki Tunnel (as depicted in the film 'Inunaki Village')," explaining that the old Inunaki Tunnel spans both Miyawaka City and Hisayama Town, with entrances on both sides. The document states that the old road leading to the tunnel is impassable, entry to city-owned land is prohibited, and that the film is a work of fiction, with its depiction of dam construction, mass relocation, and the closure of the old road being inaccurate.

• Miyawaka City: Regarding the former Inunaki Tunnel(Confirmed on 2026-09-12) — This indicates the location of the old Inunaki Tunnel, that the old road is impassable and off-limits, and that the movie "Inunaki Village" is a work of fiction.

Points of agreement/contradictions

The source of the rumor and the Miyawaka City documents correspond in that they both concern the old Inunaki Tunnel located on the Miyawaka City/Hisayama Town side of Fukuoka Prefecture. However, the municipal documents only confirm the location, management status, and discrepancies with the film's content; they do not provide records supporting the existence of a village where the constitution does not apply or the occurrence of paranormal phenomena. No official documents were found to directly support the two atomic claims made in this case.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
There was a village called "Inunaki Village" where the Constitution did not apply.	Unconfirmed	While the guide from Miyawaka City explains that the film's content differs from the facts, it is not a document that directly verifies the existence or non-existence of the village legend itself.	No official data available for direct comparison.
Paranormal phenomena occur in the old Inunaki Tunnel.	Unconfirmed	The municipal documents reviewed did not contain any observation records of the phenomenon, conditions for its occurrence, or verification results, and therefore could not directly support or refute the content of the rumor.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

The closure of the old road, the deep forests, and the increased recognition from movies and games can all contribute to the overlapping of fictional settings and stories from different periods with real-life locations. The fact that Miyawaka City distinguishes between the movie and the actual facts in its guides makes it necessary to read between the lines between the fictional setting and the actual history of the region.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

The scope of the investigation consisted of individual articles in external web magazines and the Miyawaka City information page. It was not possible to identify the original source of the village legend, the original records of individual experiences, or third-party documents documenting the conditions under which the phenomena occurred. The municipality's page also provided information explaining the location, safety, and differences from the film, and was not a report investigating individual supernatural occurrences.

Verification result: Indeterminate

While Miyawaka City documents confirm the location, closure, and restricted access of the old Inunaki Tunnel, as well as the fictional nature of the film, this alone is insufficient to support both rumors. Furthermore, the same documents do not individually refute every village legend or anecdote. Due to a lack of independent records that can be directly compared to the rumors, a judgment cannot be made.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	29/30	The article containing the rumor and the information for Miyawaka City can be viewed at separate URLs, allowing for clear tracking of the source of the rumor, location, and management information.
Historical and spatial context	18/25	While local government documents reveal the geographical relationship between the two municipalities and the discrepancies between the film and the information regarding the closure of the old road, details of the construction history are limited.
Safety information	20/20	Miyawaka City has clearly indicated that the old road is impassable, entry to city-owned land is prohibited, and parking is prohibited in front of the fence, as well as in areas prone to sinkholes and rockfalls.
Newness of information	13/15	I obtained local government information showing the last update date and rumor articles indicating the publication date, but I was unable to determine when the legend itself was created.
Transparency of the source of rumors	8/10	While the text of the rumors, the publication date, and the publisher can be confirmed, the primary sources for each story and links to the original narrators are not provided.
total	88/100	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

Miyawaka City has closed off the area, including the old road leading to the former Inunaki Tunnel, and has also prohibited entry onto city-owned land. Do not climb over fences, approach the blocked areas, park on the road, or loiter overnight. Location confirmation should be limited to consulting publicly available documents and maps.

Map location: The location where the former Inunaki Tunnel name and road alignment match in publicly available geographic data.

Check the area around the old Inunaki Tunnel on Google Maps.

2nd Place: Old Sashiki Tunnel | Undecided (84 points)

The rumored details

Kumamoto's local media outlet, "Higo Journal," conducted on-site reporting on the old Sashiki Tunnel and reported on a story that a worker died during the tunnel's construction, which is one of the reasons it's considered a haunted spot. It also mentions that a video of a boy having his legs pulled backward in the dark tunnel has become a topic of discussion on the internet. The article itself states that the veracity of the story about the worker's death is uncertain.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The source of the rumor is an article in the Higo Journal, published on June 11, 2025, and updated on June 12 of the same year. It includes a description of the reporter's visit to the site and information found on the internet, but it does not provide any official records showing events during construction, nor does it provide information on who filmed the video, the date and time of filming, or verification of the original source. Therefore, it is treated as a secondary publication/first source unknown.

• Higo Journal: On-site report on the former Sashiki Tunnel(Verification Date: 2026-09-12) — Includes on-site coverage of the old Sashiki Tunnel, including unconfirmed stories of workers dying during construction and references to footage of a boy being run over.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The Cultural Heritage Database lists the former Sashiki Tunnel, officially named "Sashiki Tunnel," as a registered tangible cultural property of Ashikita Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. It describes it as a brick structure built in 1903, with a length of 434 meters and a width of 5.5 meters, explaining its structure and location as a remnant of a modern main road from the Meiji period, built on the Sashiki Taro Pass of the former national highway.

• Cultural Heritage Database: Sashiki Tunnel(Confirmed on 2026-09-12) — The Sashiki Tunnel, built in 1903, is listed as a registered tangible cultural property, constructed of brick and 434 meters long, and its location and structure are described.

Points of agreement/contradictions

External articles and public databases correspond in that the Old Sashiki Tunnel and Sashiki Tunnel refer to the same brick tunnel in Ashikita Town. While the construction year, structure, length, and location can be confirmed from public records, there is no record supporting the story of construction workers dying or the content of the video showing a boy being pulled. Even the source of the rumor considers the former to be of uncertain veracity.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
There were casualties during the tunnel construction.	Unconfirmed	The cultural heritage database describes the construction year, structure, and location, but it does not include records or verification results regarding workers who died during construction.	No official data available for direct comparison.
The boy's legs were pulled backward.	Unconfirmed	Official documents do not address the existence of the video, the filming conditions, or the verification of its content, and even within the scope of this investigation, we were unable to identify the original source material that could be verified.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

The long, unlit tunnels, strong dark adaptation, echoes, and uncertain footing described in the on-site reports could amplify fear and physical sensations during movement. However, these environmental conditions alone do not explain the events in the footage or past rumors; the original footage and filming conditions are necessary to determine the cause.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

The scope of the verification was limited to local articles in the Higo Journal and individual pages in the Cultural Heritage Database. Construction records, records of those involved in the construction, the initial appearance of the rumors, and the original footage and filming conditions of the video that became a topic of discussion could not be confirmed. The cultural property materials show the history and structure of the building, and are not materials that investigate the strange occurrences.

Verification result: Indeterminate

While the construction year, structure, location, and cultural property registration of the Sashiki Tunnel can be confirmed through public databases, no information is available to support or refute the claims of fatalities during construction or the events depicted in the video. The article itself also states that the veracity of the stories about fatalities is uncertain, and due to the lack of independent records that can be directly compared, a determination cannot be made.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	28/30	By separating local articles with publication dates from individual pages in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database, it becomes possible to track rumors and building information.
Historical and spatial context	23/25	Official documents confirm that it was built in 1903, constructed of brick, its length, location, and relationship to the old national highway, providing concrete historical background information.
Safety information	15/20	Local reports mention unlit mines, narrow roads, and warnings about falling rocks and wildlife, but they do not provide the latest regulatory information from the management.
Newness of information	11/15	While I checked local articles updated in 2025 and current official pages, the timing of the rumor's origin and the release date of the original video footage remain unknown.
Transparency of the source of rumors	7/10	While the publication location and date of the rumor are clear, no primary link to access construction records or original video footage is provided.
total	84/100	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

Local reports regarding the area around the former Sashiki Tunnel mention narrow roads, falling rocks, wild animals, and the need to be careful of oncoming vehicles. Avoid walking into the dark tunnel, parking on the road, obstructing traffic, graffiti, and littering, and prioritize local regulations and the latest information from the management.

Map location: The surrounding area was confirmed to be on the old road in Shiraiwa, Ashikita Town, using reverse lookup of publicly available geographic data.

Check the area around the old Sashiki Tunnel on Google Maps.

3rd Place: Old Chūai Tunnel | Undecided (80 points)

The rumored details

The National Ghost Map features a rumor about a female ghost appearing at the old Chūai Tunnel in Miyako Town, Fukuoka Prefecture. It also mentions stories of a "fox wedding" taking place there, with a group of people carrying lanterns, and the same woman appearing at the telephone equipment on both sides of the tunnel. Here, we will only verify that the rumors exist on the page.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The source of the rumors is the individual page for the former Nakai Tunnel on the National Haunted Map website. This page aggregates submissions, votes, and comments, and indicates that the information, based on registered data, may be inaccurate. Since the original publication medium, witnesses, date and time of occurrence, and contemporary records for each story are not provided, it is classified as a secondary publication/original source unknown.

• National Haunted Map: Old Chūai Tunnel(Verification Date: 2026-09-12) — This article contains rumors about the old Chūai Tunnel, including a female ghost, a fox wedding, and the same woman appearing at the telephone equipment on both sides of the tunnel.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The Cultural Heritage Database lists the former Chuai Tunnel, officially named "Chuai Tunnel," as a registered tangible cultural property spanning from Kawara Town to Miyako Town in Fukuoka Prefecture. It describes it as having been built in 1889, with a brick entrance, and a length of 432 meters. It also explains that it was excavated for the purpose of transporting coal and other materials mined in the Chikuhō region, and describes the structure of both ends and the tunnel entrance.

• Cultural Heritage Database: Chūai Tunnel(Confirmed on 2026-09-12) — The Chūai Tunnel, built in 1889 and measuring 432 meters in length, is listed as a registered tangible cultural property, and its purpose for transporting coal, its location, and its structure are explained.

Points of agreement/contradictions

The rumor page and the official database correspond in that the old Chūai Tunnel and Chūai Tunnel refer to the same tunnel between Miyako Town and Kawara Town. While the construction year, purpose, structure, and location can be confirmed from official documents, no records supporting the female ghost or the fox wedding are found. Comments on the rumor page also suggest that the story about telephone equipment might be a confusion with a different tunnel.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
A female ghost appears	Unconfirmed	The cultural heritage database describes the tunnel's construction year, purpose, and structure, but it does not cover any observations or investigations regarding the female spirit.	No official data available for direct comparison.
A fox wedding was taking place.	Unconfirmed	The official documents examined do not contain any corresponding dates, events, traditions, or observational records, and therefore cannot directly support or refute the rumor.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

It is possible that the old and new tunnels, the two entrances, and the surrounding mountain pass were confused in the narrative. Also, darkness, fog, swaying trees, vehicle lights, and echoes inside and outside the tunnels may cause distant lights and sounds to be perceived differently, but none of these are conclusive evidence that would determine the formation process of individual rumors.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

The scope of verification was limited to the individual pages on the National Haunted Map and the Chūai Tunnel page in the Cultural Heritage Database. The initial appearance of the rumors, the original records of each experience, the installation history of telephone equipment, and the date and records of the event described as the "fox wedding" could not be confirmed. The number of votes and comments on user-submitted pages do not constitute independent fact-checking.

Verification result: Indeterminate

While the construction year, purpose, structure, and location of the Chūai Tunnel can be confirmed through public databases, this information does not support or refute the rumors of a female ghost or a fox wedding. The page listing the rumors also lacks primary records of each claim, and the possibility of name confusion remains. Therefore, the existence of the location was not used as evidence for the supernatural occurrences, and it was deemed impossible to determine.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	27/30	You can check the individual pages of the rumored sites and the individual records in the Agency for Cultural Affairs databases separately, and track the content and history.
Historical and spatial context	23/25	Official documents confirm that it was built in 1889, its length, its purpose (coal transport), the structure of the mine entrance and inner walls, and even its location spanning two municipalities.
Safety information	13/20	The rumor page includes warnings about private property and restricted areas, but it has not been able to obtain administrator documents that confirm the current management status of the old road.
Newness of information	10/15	I checked the current rumor pages and public databases, but I was unable to determine when individual rumors were first posted or when they first appeared.
Transparency of the source of rumors	7/10	While the specific wording of the rumor and the source of its publication can be identified, it is a user-submitted piece of information, and the original narrator and primary source are not indicated.
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

Around the former Nakai Tunnel, prioritize on-site signs indicating private property, road closures, and no entry. Do not attempt to approach the old road or tunnel entrance unnecessarily, avoid nighttime loitering, roadside parking, noise, and breaking through blocked areas. Use maps only to confirm relative locations.

Map location: The surrounding location was determined by reverse-looking up the map coordinates on the rumor page and comparing them with the Miyako Town side as described in official documents.

Check the area around the old Chūai Tunnel on Google Maps.

What I learned by crossing locations

While specific rumors about all three locations are posted on external websites, the only information confirmed by official documents is the tunnel's location, structure, construction date, cultural property registration, and traffic control boundaries. The old Inunaki Tunnel had the most specific safety information, as the local government explicitly stated that entry was prohibited and that it was fictionalized in the film. While the history of the old Sashiki Tunnel and the old Chuai Tunnel as cultural heritage sites could be confirmed in detail, no official records directly addressing the core of each rumor could be found.

summary

What we were able to confirm this time is that rumors about the three old tunnels in Kyushu appear on different external websites, and that there are records of corresponding locations and cultural properties in official documents. No records were found that could support or refute the core claims, such as paranormal phenomena, deaths during construction, female ghosts, and fox weddings, in independent documents, and therefore all three locations remain undetermined. The map is for assistance in confirming the relative locations and does not recommend approaching the sealed areas or the old roads at night.

FAQ

If there's a page that publishes the rumors, have the paranormal phenomena been confirmed?

No. External pages are documents that confirm the existence of the rumor, not documents that prove the phenomenon itself. In this article, we separate the source of the rumor from official documents and consider claims that cannot be directly verified as undeterminable.

Does "undeterminable" mean the rumor is false?

No. "Undeterminable" means that the information we have reviewed is insufficient to either support or refute the rumor. The existence, age, darkness, and access restrictions of a location alone cannot determine the truth or falsity of the rumor.

Is the ranking of these articles based on how scary or dangerous they are?

That's incorrect. The ranking is a comparison of the quality of the materials, which is a sum of factors including source transparency, historical and spatial context, safety information, recency of the information, and source transparency of rumors. It does not quantify the truthfulness of the supernatural occurrences or the level of danger at the location.

Is it okay if I use the map to enter the old road?

The map is included to confirm the location of publicly available information. Local conditions such as road closures, restricted areas, private property, narrow roads, and falling rocks should take priority, and it is necessary to avoid breaking through blocked areas, parking on the road, and loitering overnight.