Gunma 4 locations
Gunma Prefecture's haunted spots are a mix of historical structures, natural scenic spots, records of accidents, and public facilities, along with rumors that have been added later. This article does not definitively state how scary these places are, but rather compares the specific claims of rumors about four locations—the old Usui Pass railway tunnels, Tanigawadake/Ichinokurasawa, Fukiware Falls, and Kiryu Meijikan—with official documents from local governments and other sources.
In conclusion, while the locations, history, and conditions for public access of all four sites can be confirmed in official documents, there are no official records confirming the core issues such as ghosts, shadows, voices, or anomalies in photographs. On the other hand, there are differences between the locations where actual disasters or accident histories are superimposed as the background of the rumors, and the locations where the stories have been expanded based on the impression of the buildings or natural environment.
Even though they are all called "haunted spots," the verifiable evidence and safety precautions differ from place to place. Each chapter presents rumors, official records, verification results, editorial analysis, points that could not be verified, safety information, and reasons for scoring in the same order.
Top 4 Haunted Spots in Gunma Prefecture | Investigation Methods
The ranking is not based on the truthfulness of the paranormal phenomena, but rather on a total score of 100 points, consisting of 20 points for the specificity of the rumor, 30 points for the clarity of the official record, 25 points for the likelihood of verification, 15 points for its relevance to the location and theme, and 10 points for the clarity of safety information. A higher score indicates that the rumor and official documents are easier to compare for the same location, time period, and event.
Official documents prioritize publicly available pages from local governments, cultural property managers, and tourism administrators. Rumors are treated as unverified information from existing regional articles or sources in the horror story file. The absence of information in official documents does not prove that the phenomenon does not exist.
We do not treat historical deaths or disasters as evidence for entertainment-oriented horror. We do not equate actual accidents and disasters with later-narrated accounts of people or mysterious sounds, but rather examine them separately based on their time, location, and conditions for disclosure.
| Rank | point | Matching results | Verification score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Usui Pass Railway Tunnel Group | Partial match | 95 |
| 2 | Tanigawadake and Ichinokurasawa | Partial match | 92 |
| 3 | Fukiware Falls | Unverifiable | 88 |
| 4 | Kiryu Meijikan | Unverifiable | 80 |
1st Place: Old Usui Pass Railway Tunnel Group (Annaka City) | Verification Score: 95 points
rumor:
- There are reports of people who appear to be construction workers, as well as a woman in white clothing, being seen in the old tunnel.
- There are stories of beckoning shadows appearing and unexplained sounds being heard from the deserted mine.
How to handle rumors:This is a summary of unverified information published in an article about haunted spots in Gunma Prefecture. The construction victims mentioned in rumors and the Kumanotaira disaster recorded in official documents are not treated as the same event.
Articles about haunted spots in Gunma Prefecture | Scary Stories File(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
Official records:
According to Annaka City, the former Usui Line adopted the Abt system to cope with the steep gradient of up to 66.7 per mille and opened in 1893. The approximately 6.3-kilometer section from Yokokawa to Kumanotaira has been developed as a walking trail called "Abt no Michi" (Abt Trail), where visitors can see 10 tunnels, bridges, and a substation.
The former Usui Pass Railway facilities are a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, and of the 26 tunnels built on the old line, Tunnel No. 6 is 546.17 meters long. There is a record of a landslide at Kumanotaira in 1950 that killed 50 people, but this was a separate event from the construction in the 1890s.
- Former Usui Pass Railway Facilities | Annaka City(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
- Apt Trail (Apt Path) | Annaka City(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
Matching results:Partial match
A long series of old railway tunnels does exist, and official records confirm a disaster along the line at Kumanotaira that resulted in numerous deaths. However, the construction victims, the woman in white, the shadowy figure, the beckoning, and the strange noises linked to the rumors cannot be confirmed, suggesting that the construction history may have been confused with the 1950 disaster.
Analysis by the Horror Story Files Editorial Department:
The important point here is that "there are actual records of the disaster" and "the rumored account accurately describes the disaster" are two different things. If you remove the date, the Kumanohira disaster of 1950 becomes a story of construction victims from the 1890s.
On walkways with a series of long tunnels, you may hear footsteps or voices of other visitors from unseen locations. However, since the time, location, and number of people involved in each individual experience are not recorded, it is impossible to conclude that it is a paranormal phenomenon based solely on the echoes.
Points that cannot be verified:
- The person or incident corresponding to the woman in white clothing or the beckoning shadow cannot be identified.
- There are no actual measurement records comparing whether the sounds inside the mine are caused by people, wind, equipment, or reverberation.
Safety and visitor information:
- Please use the official walking trails on the Abt Railway and follow the on-site signs. Annaka City has set the tunnel lighting hours from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM and warns that it is dangerous to be inside the tunnels at night.
Scoring breakdown:
Check the scoring criteria.
- Specificity of the rumor:There are at least two specific claims of seeing construction workers, a woman in white, a beckoning shadow, and sounds, but the date and time of the experience cannot be confirmed.
- Official record:You can find information on the opening year, number of tunnels, structure, cultural property designation, Kumanotaira disaster, and walking trail information in Annaka City's records.
- Matchability:By comparing the construction in the 1890s with the Kumanohira disaster of 1950, chronologically and by event, we can determine whether it is being confused with the theory that construction victims were involved.
- Location matching:The group of old railway tunnels that Annaka City guides visitors through are indeed the same as the rumored locations in official documents.
- Safety information:There is specific information regarding lighting hours and nighttime hazards.
2nd Place: Tanigawadake/Ichinokurasawa (Minakami Town) | Verification Score: 92 points
rumor:
- There are reports of people seeing what appear to be climbers' figures and hearing cries for help on the cliffs of Ichinokurasawa.
- There are accounts of people experiencing persistent footsteps on deserted hiking trails, and unfamiliar hikers appearing and disappearing.
How to handle rumors:This is an unverified rumor published in the Gunma Prefecture article of the Horror Story File. Real-life incidents of people getting lost are not treated as proof of individual paranormal experiences.
Articles about haunted spots in Gunma Prefecture | Scary Stories File(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
Official records:
Gunma Prefecture explains that Mount Tanigawa, at an altitude of 1,977 meters, is one of the prefecture's heaviest snowfall areas due to the northwesterly seasonal winds. It officially records that 455 people died by 1966, the year the mountain accident prevention ordinance was enacted, with 37 deaths recorded in that year alone.
The steep, rocky south face of Ichinokura-dake is designated as a "dangerous area for mountain climbing," and a climbing notification or climbing plan is required to enter the area during this period. The section of National Route 291 from below the mountain climbing guidance center to Ichikurasawa is closed to general vehicle traffic year-round to prevent accidents between pedestrians and vehicles.
- Tanigawadake Mountain Climbing Guidance Center | Gunma Prefecture(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
- Today's view of Mt. Tanigawa | Gunma Prefecture(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
- Minakami UNESCO Eco-Park | Minakami Town(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
Matching results:Partial match
The steep, rocky terrain, numerous fatal accidents, and the overall dangerous nature of the area for mountaineering are consistent with official records. However, there are no official documents that record the core of the rumors, such as shadows, voices, footsteps, or disappearing climbers, making it impossible to link individual experiences to specific victims.
Analysis by the Horror Story Files Editorial Department:
In Tanigawa-dake, the history of mountain accidents is not a metaphor but a real safety issue. Fog, wind, the sound of the stream, echoes off the rock face, and the sense of distance to other climbers in the distance can influence perception, but these alone do not explain the entire experience.
The editorial team does not use the number of victims to create a sense of fear. Official accident records are read to understand dangerous areas, equipment, reporting procedures, and weather judgments, and are treated separately from rumored personalities and accounts.
Points that cannot be verified:
- There are no records indicating when, on which hiking trail, stream, or rock face, or under what weather conditions the sightings or sounds of people were experienced.
- We have not been able to find any primary sources that link the rumored descriptions of climbers to specific accidents or individuals.
Safety and visitor information:
- If you are entering a dangerous area, please check the latest information from Gunma Prefecture and ensure you meet the necessary requirements regarding notification, equipment, and experience. Even for general sightseeing, check for vehicle restrictions, weather, rockfalls, flooding, and snow before departure, and do not explore at night.
Scoring breakdown:
Check the scoring criteria.
- Specificity of the rumor:There are multiple specific claims, including the presence of a human figure, cries for help, footsteps, and a disappearing climber, but the date, time, and location remain unknown.
- Official record:You can check everything from elevation, heavy snowfall, number of people involved in accidents, dangerous areas, reporting requirements, and vehicle restrictions using data from Gunma Prefecture.
- Matchability:While the history of accidents and the fact that an area is dangerous can be directly compared, individual figures or voices cannot be compared.
- Location matching:The rumors and official documents are all about the area around Tanigawadake and Ichinokurasawa.
- Safety information:The notification requirements, restricted areas, and weather/equipment requirements are clearly outlined.
3rd Place: Fukiware Falls (Numata City) | Verification Score: 88 points
rumor:
- There are stories of people feeling as if they are being pulled into the waterfall pool, or seeing women and children by the water's edge.
- There are rumors of voices mingling with the roar of the waterfall, and of white mist or abnormal images appearing in photographs taken there.
How to handle rumors:This information is unverified and was published in the Gunma Prefecture article of the Horror Story File and in external rumor articles. The Ryugu legend introduced by Numata City is a local legend and does not serve as evidence to prove the existence of modern paranormal photographs.
Rumors about Fukiware Falls(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
Official records:
Numata City describes Fukiware Falls as a waterfall that is 7 meters high and 30 meters wide. Its name originates from the fact that the Katashina River eroded the bedrock, creating numerous cracks, and it was designated a natural monument and place of scenic beauty in 1936.
The city's sightseeing guide includes a legend that the waterfall basin has long been a gateway to the Dragon Palace. However, safety information such as trail openings/closings in winter, flooding, and bear sightings is updated on a separate page, so it is necessary to check it on the day of your visit.
- Introduction to Fukiware Falls | Numata City(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
- Fukiware Falls Sightseeing Guide | Numata City(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
- Bear information around Fukiware Falls | Numata City(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
Matching results:Unverifiable
Official documents can be found regarding the waterfall's topography, the Ryugu legend, the walking trail, flooding, winter closures, and bear information. However, there is no evidence to confirm or deny the unusual images in the photographs, the figures of women and children, or the voices mixed in with the roaring noise, making the paranormal rumors unverifiable.
Analysis by the Horror Story Files Editorial Department:
Because the official guide to the site mentions a legend that it leads to the Dragon Palace, it's a place where local folklore and modern paranormal experiences are often described in the same text. However, the existence of the legend and the fact that there were abnormalities in the photographs are two different claims.
The roar of the waterfall, the spray, the backlight, the humidity, and the water droplets on the lens all affect the impression of the photograph and the sound. Without the original images, the shooting conditions, and a sequence of photos before and after, it is impossible to make a definitive judgment based solely on natural conditions, nor can it be concluded that it was a paranormal phenomenon.
Points that cannot be verified:
- The original image, date and time it was taken, location, and any photos taken before or after it, which were identified as paranormal, cannot be verified.
- It is not possible to identify individuals or incidents that correspond to the images or voices of women and children based on official documents.
Safety and visitor information:
- Prioritize the latest information from Numata City regarding trail restrictions, flooding, winter closures, bear sightings, etc. Do not enter the water's edge or outside the fences, and keep your eyes on your feet and surroundings while taking photos.
Scoring breakdown:
Check the scoring criteria.
- Specificity of the rumor:There are multiple claims regarding the captivating feeling, the person's image, the voice, and the white haze in the photograph, but there is no mention of the original document or the time of publication.
- Official record:You can find information on topography, cultural property designations, the Ryugu legend, walking trails, and wildlife in Numata City's archives.
- Matchability:While locations and legends can be matched, modern photographs, voices, and images of people cannot.
- Location matching:Both the rumors and official documents focus on the same area: Fukiware Falls and the surrounding pool.
- Safety information:Information on road openings, closures, flooding, and bear sightings is available, but the conditions are updated as needed.
4th Place: Kiryu Meijikan (Kiryu City) | Verification Score: 80 points
rumor:
- There are reports of people hearing footsteps or sensing human presence inside the building, and seeing figures in windows and on stairwells.
- There are rumors of noises coming from empty rooms and unexplained shadows appearing in photographs.
How to handle rumors:This is a summary of unverified information published in the Gunma Prefecture article of the Horror Story File. It does not directly link the fact that the building was constructed as a sanitation center attached to a medical school to individual supernatural occurrences.
Articles about haunted spots in Gunma Prefecture | Scary Stories File(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
Official records:
According to Kiryu City, the Kiryu Meiji Hall was built in August 1878 in what was then Maebashi City as a sanitation center with an attached medical school. In 1929, the former Aioi Village acquired it, relocated and renovated it to its current location, and used it as the village office and community center.
Designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1976 as the former Gunma Prefectural Health Center, it has since been restored and repaired and is now operated as a public facility with interior tours, permanent exhibitions, special events, and a café. It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m., and closing days and admission fees are clearly indicated.
- Kiryu Meijikan Facility Guide | Kiryu City(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
- Kiryu Meijikan | Kiryu City(Date of verification: August 21, 2026)
Matching results:Unverifiable
The building's construction year, its former use as a sanitation center and medical school, its relocation, its designation as a cultural property, and its current public access conditions can all be confirmed through official records. However, there are no official records corresponding to the footsteps, shadows, noises, or shadows in photographs, and the building's history alone cannot support the claims of paranormal activity.
Analysis by the Horror Story Files Editorial Department:
The old Western-style building, its former use related to medicine, the sounds of footsteps on the floors and stairs, and the shadows in the exhibition rooms are all elements that easily lend themselves to scary stories. However, the fact that it was a medical facility does not mean that one can infer the presence of the dead or spirits.
Currently, it is a public cultural property with set opening hours, reception procedures, and admission fees. To verify the accounts, it is necessary to distinguish between the building's structure, floor creaking, light reflection, and pedestrian traffic during public hours, rather than entering after closing hours.
Points that cannot be verified:
- The date and time, room, number of viewers, and shooting conditions of the footsteps, shadows, and photographic shadows that occurred cannot be confirmed.
- There are no primary sources that connect the person's character as described in rumors with the records of the former sanitation center and medical school.
Safety and visitor information:
- Please follow the opening hours, reception procedures, closing days, and photography/viewing rules provided by Kiryu City. Do not enter after closing hours or in areas not open to the public, and do not touch the cultural artifacts, fixtures, or exhibits.
Scoring breakdown:
Check the scoring criteria.
- Specificity of the rumor:Claims include footsteps, shadows, noises, and shadows in photographs, but the date, time, and room are unknown.
- Official record:You can find information on the building's construction year, purpose, relocation, cultural property designation, and opening conditions in the Kiryu City archives.
- Matchability:While buildings and their former uses can be matched, supernatural occurrences and the people associated with them cannot.
- Location matching:Both the rumors and official documents concern the same Kiryu Meijikan.
- Safety information:The opening hours and reception area are clearly stated, but there is no special safety information to address the paranormal rumors.
Summary | Read official documents and rumors separately
When comparing with official documents, even if the historical structures and natural environments that serve as the setting for the rumors do exist, it's not always possible to confirm the anomalies in the people, voices, and photographs using the same evidence. In particular, with regard to the old Usui Pass railway tunnels and Mount Tanigawa, care must be taken not to substitute actual disaster and accident histories with the origins of the supernatural occurrences, disregarding the dates and locations.
At Fukiware Falls, we separate the officially presented Ryugu legend from modern paranormal photographs, and at Kiryu Meijikan, we separate its function as a former sanitation center from the supernatural occurrences associated with it. The Horror Story File editorial team does not erase rumors, but rather preserves facts, unconfirmed information, and safety conditions in separate sections.
Reading the four locations in the same order and using the same scoring criteria reveals that the difference in scores is not due to "how scary they are," but rather to "how well the rumored claims can be verified with primary sources." If new municipal documents, traffic restrictions, opening hours, or correctable primary sources are found, we will update them with the date of confirmation and the changes made. Reader accounts will also be checked for the date, time, location, and availability of the original document, and will not be mixed with official records. Safety information changes depending on the season, construction, and weather, so please do not use the articles as permission to visit or a guarantee of passage, and be sure to check the latest information on the linked sites and on-site notices before departure. Nighttime exploration is not recommended.
FAQ
Does this ranking indicate that paranormal phenomena are real?
No. This ranking evaluates how well the rumors are presented and how closely they can be compared with official records. The scores do not reflect the truthfulness or danger level of the paranormal phenomena.
If there are no paranormal phenomena documented in official records, does that mean the rumors are false?
The mere fact that something is not stated in official documents cannot be used to prove or disprove a personal experience. In this article, we have separated any information that could not be confirmed as "points that cannot be verified."
Is it okay if I go there at night?
We do not recommend this. Please observe the opening hours, traffic restrictions, mountain climbing permits, and the instructions of the administrators, and do not enter private property, closed sections, or dangerous areas.
For providing information or making corrections regarding the article content, please contact us.inquiryPlease let us know.
How to read this article and safety precautions
This article is a compilation of publicly available information and local rumors, and does not definitively state the veracity of paranormal phenomena. Visiting restricted areas, private property, closed sections, or dangerous places at night is not recommended. Prioritize laws, instructions from facility managers, and consideration for nearby residents.
How to read this article and safety precautions
" [2026 Latest] Top 4 Haunted Spots in Gunma Prefecture: A Comparison Based on Official Data This is an article compiled by the Horror Tales File editorial team as a story, based on publicly available information, rumors circulating in the community, and information submitted by readers. It does not definitively state the authenticity of paranormal phenomena.
- We do not recommend visiting restricted areas, private property, abandoned buildings, or dangerous locations at night.
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