[2026 Latest] Top 3 Ranking of Paranormal Rumors Related to Waterfronts (Waterfalls, Lakes, Dams, and the Sea) in Northern Kanto

Rumors surrounding the waterfronts of northern Kanto vary widely, including photographs and stories of falls at waterfalls, eyewitness accounts of lake surface activity, and descriptions of incidents related to dams. This article focuses on three locations: Fukiware Falls in Gunma Prefecture, and Lake Chuzenji and Matsuda River Dam in Tochigi Prefecture. We will cross-reference external rumor-sharing pages with materials from the Numata City and Nikko City Tourism Associations and Tochigi Prefecture. We also confirmed discrepancies in the prefecture names on the maps in the rumor-sharing pages regarding Matsuda River Dam. This article does not cover all waterfronts in northern Kanto, including the sea.

Survey methods and evaluation criteria

The pages containing the rumors and the pages of the local government/tourism association were obtained separately and directly, and the rumor text was divided into smaller claims. "Agreement" means that all claims are supported by independent sources, "partial agreement" means that there is a mix of support and unconfirmed information, "disagreement" means that there is clear counter-evidence for the same subject, and "unmeasurable" means that there is insufficient comparative data. Only when a direct comparison is not possible will a meaningful public record not present in the rumor be considered a new fact. The latter does not constitute proof of a supernatural phenomenon. The ranking of 100 points is an evaluation of the quality of the materials, with 30 points for source transparency, 25 points for history/space, 20 points for safety, 15 points for novelty, and 10 points for source transparency of the rumor, and does not represent points for danger level or truthfulness.

1st Place: Fukiware Falls | Partial Match (84 points)

The rumored details

The page listing rumors about Fukiware Falls claims that "a female ghost appears" and "you can take paranormal photos." The text states that "ropes have now been put up so you cannot get close to the falls," and regarding the past, it says that "many people have slipped and lost their lives." It further adds, "Water accidents still occur even now." These are all claims made by the source of the article and should not be treated as confirmed facts regarding the current situation, the number of incidents, or the causes.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

I checked the Fukiware Falls page on the external user-submitted website "National Haunted Map" on October 2, 2026. The page contains descriptions of rumors, but since the primary sources and first appearances of each eyewitness account and accident count are not indicated, it will be treated as a secondary publication/first appearance unknown.

• Nationwide Haunted Map: "Fukiware Falls"(Confirmed on 2026-10-02) — A female ghost appears.
  You can take photos of ghosts.
  Currently, ropes have been put up to prevent people from getting close to the waterfall, but in the past, there were no restrictions on entry. As a result, many people would go near the waterfall, slip, and lose their lives.
  Although it looks like flat land, there are rapids in places, and water-related accidents still occur there.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The Numata City sightseeing guide mentions a legend that the pool at the base of Fukiware Falls leads to the Dragon Palace, and that the tableware mentioned in the legend is still preserved. The guide describes the walking path leading to the falls and the falls' height of approximately 7 meters and width of approximately 30 meters. The city's FAQ clearly states that there are no railings on the walking path, that it can be slippery in rainy weather, that there have been fatal accidents due to falls in the past, and that it is closed at night. The story of the Dragon Palace is a legend introduced by the city and is not evidence of any actual phenomenon.

• Numata City "Fukiware Falls Sightseeing Guide"(Confirmed on 2026-10-02) — The pool at the base of Fukiware Falls is a mystical waterfall, with a legend that it has long been said to lead to the Dragon Palace.
  This bowl is called the "Dragon Palace Bowl" and is still carefully preserved today.
• Numata City "Frequently Asked Questions about Fukiware Falls"(Confirmed on 2026-10-02) — Please note that the walking path is closed at night.
  To preserve the scenic beauty of the Fukiware Gorge, there are no fences or barriers along the walking paths.
  Also, there have been fatal accidents in the past due to falls, so please never step inside the white line.

Points of agreement/contradictions

The Numata City FAQ clearly states that there have been fatal accidents due to falls in the past, and the part about someone losing their life aligns with the rumors. However, it does not specify how many people slipped and fell or when. The city's explanation that there are no railings on the walking path is also unclear as to whether it is the same condition as the rope placement near the waterfall that the rumors refer to. The female ghost and the photographs cannot be directly compared.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
A female ghost appears	Unconfirmed	The city's tourist information describes the waterfall's topography and walking trails, but it cannot be directly compared with the sighting time or original source material.	No official data available for direct comparison.
Currently, ropes have been put up, and it is not possible to go near the waterfall.	Unconfirmed	The city's FAQ mentions the presence or absence of fences along the walking path, but it cannot confirm the exact location and time of the waterfall mentioned in the rumors.	No official data available for direct comparison.
People who lose their lives	support	The city's FAQ clearly states that there have been fatal accidents due to falls in the past, and the part about a death occurring is the only thing that matches the rumors.	Numata City "Frequently Asked Questions about Fukiware Falls"
I slipped under my feet	Unconfirmed	The city government states that the ground can be slippery due to rain, but has not definitively determined that slipping was the cause of the fatal accident.	No official data available for direct comparison.
It seems there were many.	Unconfirmed	The city's FAQ only states that accidents have occurred in the past, but does not provide the number of incidents or the time period over which they occurred.	No official data available for direct comparison.
Water-related accidents still occur today.	Unconfirmed	The city's records of past fall accidents do not represent statistics that reflect the frequency of ongoing water-related accidents.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

The volume of water in the waterfall, the narrow walking path, and the slippery ground when wet are physical conditions that the city warns about, separate from the impression of fear. However, these alone cannot determine the cause of individual sightings or photographs. The legend of Ryugu Palace should also be read separately as another layer of narratives about the waterside.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

The investigation is limited to the published page, the city's sightseeing guide, and the FAQ. The number of accidents, the timing of the incidents, the latest rope placement, the original images of the photographs, and interviews with eyewitnesses have not been cross-referenced. Rumors are not dismissed simply because they are not in city records, nor are past accidents used as evidence for supernatural occurrences.

Verification results: Partial match

The only part of the rumor that mentions a death aligns with the past fatal fall incidents described in the city's FAQ. However, the cause of the fall, the frequency of occurrences, the current ropes, and the female ghost cannot be confirmed, so it is only considered a partial match. Separately, the Ryugu legend and the preservation of the tableware, as introduced in the city's sightseeing guide, are added as new information not found on the rumor page, but this does not overwrite the comparative judgment.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	27/30	You can check the source of the rumor and the city's sightseeing guide/FAQ at different URLs, allowing you to separate the source of the legend from the source of the safety information.
Historical and spatial context	23/25	This allows us to verify not only the topography of the waterfall but also the context of the Ryugu legend as presented by the city, and to note any discrepancies between the rumors and reality.
Safety information	19/20	The city can provide specific warnings, such as nighttime road closures, narrow pedestrian walkways, and the importance of staying within the white lines.
Newness of information	7/15	While the city's explanation was available, it was updated in 2021, and the latest status of on-site equipment such as ropes has not been verified.
Transparency of the source of rumors	8/10	While external rumor pages include the full text and source, they do not provide information on the number of incidents or the original source of eyewitness accounts.
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

The city's FAQ states that the walking path is closed at night, can be slippery in rainy weather, and advises against entering the area inside the white lines. Even if you wish to enjoy the scenery, prioritize the city's current guidance and on-site restriction signs, and do not enter at night or when the path is closed.

Map location: This is a map point for the waterfall itself, and does not identify the rumored sighting location or accident site.

Check the area around Fukiware Falls on Google Maps.

2nd place: Lake Chuzenji | Unmeasurable (70 points)

The rumored details

The page listing rumors about Lake Chuzenji mentions that "the ghost of a young girl appears" and "you can take photos of spirits there." The text states that "there are many drowning accidents and suicides by drowning," and also mentions "sightings of will-o'-the-wisps and spirits walking on the lake's surface." The description applies to the entire lake, and no specific information is provided as to when, where on the shore, or who saw what. The number of accidents cannot be determined from this page alone.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The Lake Chuzenji page of the "National Haunted Map" was directly examined on October 2, 2026, as an example of externally published rumors. While claims about a girl, the lake surface, and photographs are included on the user-submitted page, no references to the original records or individual eyewitness accounts could be found, so it is classified as a secondary publication/original source unknown.

• Nationwide Haunted Map: Lake Chuzenji(Confirmed on 2026-10-02) — The ghost of a young girl appears.
  You can take photos of ghosts.
  There are many drowning accidents and suicides by drowning, and there have been sightings of will-o'-the-wisps and spirits walking on the lake's surface.
  It's also a spot where you can relatively easily take photos that might indicate paranormal activity.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

According to the Nikko City Tourism Association's guide to Lake Chuzenji, Lake Chuzenji is a lake in Oku-Nikko, located in Chugushi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. It has a circumference of approximately 25 kilometers and a maximum depth of 163 meters. The guide explains that its original form was created when lava from the eruption of Mount Nantai dammed up a valley. It was used as a summer resort from the Meiji era to the early Showa era. This is a description of the lake's location and formation, and is not evidence to verify any strange occurrences or individual accidents.

• Nikko City Tourism Association "Lake Chuzenji"(Confirmed on 2026-10-02) — Lake Chuzenji, located at the entrance to Oku-Nikko, has a circumference of approximately 25 km and a maximum depth of 163 m. It is said that its original form was created about 20,000 years ago when lava from the eruption of Mount Nantai dammed up a valley.

Points of agreement/contradictions

While the tourism association's materials clearly define the lake as a subject and its size, they do not verify the rumored girl, the sightings on the lake's surface, or the original images of the alleged ghost photographs. Regarding the quantitative claim of "many drowning accidents and suicides by drowning," this investigation could not confirm independent statistics showing the period and number of incidents. The existence of the location is not considered a point of agreement with the phenomena.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
The ghost of a young girl appears	Unconfirmed	The tourist association's information about the lake does not include any documentation that can be used to verify specific sighting times or observation records.	No official data available for direct comparison.
You can take photos of ghosts.	Unconfirmed	The date and time of the photograph and the original image could not be identified from the source, and the tourism association's materials also do not address the authenticity of the photograph.	No official data available for direct comparison.
There are many water-related accidents and suicides by drowning.	Unconfirmed	Without independent statistics showing the comparison period and the number of cases, it is not possible to definitively determine that it is a high frequency.	No official data available for direct comparison.
There have been sightings of will-o'-the-wisps and spirits walking on the surface of the lake.	Unconfirmed	The rumored sighting location, date, and time, as well as primary testimony, are not provided, making it impossible to directly compare them with the lake information provided by the tourism association.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

In a large lake, factors such as light reflection and fog can affect what is visible. However, without individual photographs or observation conditions, it is impossible to attribute specific stories to natural phenomena. The history of the tourist destination and the spread of ghost stories also need to be examined separately for their origins.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

This time, we compared the page where the rumor was published with the location information provided by the tourist association. We did not obtain administrative statistics showing the number of incidents, original photographs, or primary eyewitness accounts. The fact that the strange occurrences are not mentioned in the tourist guide is not proof that they do not exist, and the coordinates of the lake's center do not indicate a specific sighting location.

Verification result: Unmeasurable

There is no primary source material to compare the girl's figure, the ghost on the lake's surface, or the image in the photograph, and the frequency of accidents cannot be supported by independent statistics with a specified period. The lake's formation and location, as presented by the tourism association, are in a reliable geographical context, but since they are not directly comparable to the phenomena and incidents described in the rumors, they cannot be measured.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	24/30	By obtaining the rumor page and the Nikko City Tourism Association's location guide separately, the lake's boundaries and the rumors can be separated.
Historical and spatial context	21/25	While the geographical context of lake formation and its use as a summer resort is clear, it doesn't connect to the timing of the rumor's origin.
Safety information	12/20	While general precautions for the lakeshore can be written, this official guide does not include detailed accident prevention measures.
Newness of information	6/15	While the confirmation date can be fixed, the timing of the update of the tourism association's page and the time when the sighting occurred cannot be determined.
Transparency of the source of rumors	7/10	The source provides specific details about the girl and the lake surface, but does not provide information on the original publication or how to trace the original photograph.
total	70/100	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 tourist association provides directions for accessing the area from the Chuzenji Onsen bus stop. The lakeshore is wide, and the water conditions vary depending on the location and weather, so it is advisable to check local traffic information and avoid approaching the lake in search of the rumored spot during dark hours.

Map location: This is the approximate center point of the entire lake and does not pinpoint the rumored sighting location.

Check the area around Lake Chuzenji on Google Maps.

3rd Place: Matsuda River Dam | Mismatch (63 points)

The rumored details

The page listing rumors about the Matsuda River Dam states that "there have been many suicides by jumping into the water" and continues that "the ghost of a woman with her head sticking out of the water has been sighted." Furthermore, it claims that "in 1999, a tragic incident occurred in which a child was thrown into the dam," but these are all unverified claims by the source. The map on the same page states that "the Matsuda River Dam is located in Ashikaga City, Gunma Prefecture," which contradicts the indication at the top of the page that it is in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. This article does not confirm the occurrence of the incident and does not include any personally identifiable information or detailed account of the events.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The individual page for Matsuda River Dam on the external rumor site "National Haunted Map" was retrieved on October 2, 2026. Although the text contains strong elements suggesting a crime, no official incident documents or primary eyewitness accounts corresponding to each claim could be found on the page, so it is classified as a secondary publication/original source unknown.

• Nationwide Haunted Map: Matsuda River Dam(Confirmed on 2026-10-02) — Matsuda River Dam is known as a haunted spot due to the frequent suicides by jumping into the water. The ghost of a woman with her head sticking out of the water has been sighted there.
  In 1999, a tragic incident occurred in which a child was thrown into the dam.
  Matsuda River Dam is located in Ashikaga City, Gunma Prefecture.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

According to the Tochigi Prefecture Matsuda River Dam guide, the Matsuda River Dam is a 56-meter-high gravity-type concrete dam constructed in Matsuda-cho, Ashikaga City, and completed in March 1996. Its purposes are clearly stated as flood control, maintenance of river flow, and supply of water for the city's water supply, and its location is listed as "Matsuda, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture." There are facilities such as campgrounds upstream and downstream of the dam. While this facility overview can be used to verify the location, it is not a document that addresses the veracity of rumored incidents or eyewitness accounts.

• Matsuda River Dam, Tochigi Prefecture(Confirmed on 2026-10-02) — The Matsuda River Dam was constructed in Matsuda-cho, Ashikaga City, and completed in March 1996. It is a 56-meter-high gravity-type concrete dam with a total storage capacity of 1,900,000 cubic meters, and its purpose is flood control, maintenance of normal water flow, and supply of water for the city's water supply.
  [Location] Matsuda, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture

Points of agreement/contradictions

The map section of the rumor page lists Matsuda River Dam as "Ashikaga City, Gunma Prefecture," but the Tochigi Prefecture guide clearly states its location as "Matsuda, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture." There is a direct discrepancy in the prefecture names, and the top of the same rumor page also displays Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. On the other hand, we have not been able to obtain any statistics or primary sources to corroborate the rumors about the high number of suicides, sightings of women, and the 1999 incident. Do not use the geographical error as a basis for refuting the incident or the supernatural occurrences.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
There have been many suicides by jumping in front of trains.	Unconfirmed	The prefecture's facility overview does not include statistics on the number of suicides, nor does it provide information on the period used to determine if an incident is considered frequent.	No official data available for direct comparison.
A female ghost with her head sticking out of the water has been sighted.	Unconfirmed	There are no individual eyewitness accounts or original images, so a direct comparison with the explanation of the use of the prefectural documents is not possible.	No official data available for direct comparison.
In 1999, a tragic incident occurred in which a child was thrown into a dam.	Unconfirmed	The source of the article contains descriptions that strongly suggest a criminal incident, and the dam overview obtained from the prefecture does not confirm the occurrence of such an incident.	No official data available for direct comparison.
Matsuda River Dam is located in Ashikaga City, Gunma Prefecture.	contradiction	The official Tochigi Prefecture website clearly states the location as "Matsuda, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture," which directly contradicts the Gunma Prefecture designation on the map section of the rumor page.	Matsuda River Dam, Tochigi Prefecture

Alternative interpretation

The discrepancy in prefecture names on the rumor page may be an editorial error, but the cause is unknown as we cannot check the correction history. The appearance of the dam lake's surface and the surrounding darkness may also influence the impression, but since there is no original eyewitness record, we cannot definitively say that it describes a specific experience.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

The prefecture's dam overview is a description of facility management and not a comprehensive record of the incident. Official incident records, statistics, sighting dates, and original images have not been checked this time. While the prefecture name can be directly compared, the fact that the incident is not listed on the prefecture's page should not be used as grounds for denial, and the rumored specific year is not confirmed as fact.

Verification result: Mismatch

The location field in Tochigi Prefecture clearly contradicts the prefecture name "Ashikaga City, Gunma Prefecture" on the map section of the rumor page. This is a judgment based on geographical information, which also involves inconsistencies in notation within the same page, and does not negate the frequency of suicides, the sighting of the woman, or the 1999 incident. The core claim lacks independent sources and remains unconfirmed.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	24/30	I obtained separate information on the prefecture's dam overview and external rumors, but I couldn't find any primary sources to support the claims in the case.
Historical and spatial context	19/25	The structure, completion year, and purpose of the flood control and water supply system are clear, and there is context that prevents the water surface from being the sole evidence of the supernatural occurrence.
Safety information	10/20	The prefecture indicates the facilities used upstream and downstream, but this page alone does not provide detailed information about local access restrictions.
Newness of information	5/15	The prefectural website was updated in 2021, so records of the rumored unique year and the current status of waterfront operations need to be checked separately.
Transparency of the source of rumors	5/10	The rumors become more specific as the years go by, but there is no link to primary sources, and even the names of prefectures differ within the same page.
total	63/100	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 prefecture provides information about facilities such as campgrounds located both upstream and downstream of the dam. Visitors should follow the latest information and local regulations provided by the administrators when visiting or using these facilities, and should not exceed the restricted access limits on the water surface or dam body. Nighttime visits to verify unconfirmed rumors are not recommended.

Map location: This is a map point of the dam structure and does not indicate the rumored sighting location or incident location.

Check the area around Matsuda River Dam on Google Maps.

What I learned by crossing locations

At all three locations, while the publication of rumors could be confirmed, there was a lack of primary source material such as eyewitness accounts or photographs, as well as official accident statistics. At Fukiware Falls, the city records a past fatal fall accident and the legend of Ryugu (Dragon Palace). The formation history of Lake Chuzenji does not support the supernatural occurrences. At Matsuda River Dam, only the map section of the rumor page differs from the prefectural location data. The key to comparison is to distinguish between physical dangers, old legends, and recent rumors, rather than confusing geographical discrepancies with the denial of incidents or supernatural occurrences.

summary

The Fukiware Falls incident is considered a partial match because some of the rumors overlap with past fatal falls recorded by the city, but the number of victims, cause, and any supernatural occurrences cannot be confirmed. The core claims regarding Lake Chuzenji cannot be directly verified. Regarding the Matsuda River Dam, only the prefecture name in the map section of the rumors page does not match the Tochigi Prefecture records, and suicides, incidents, and eyewitness accounts remain unconfirmed. Geographical errors should not be used as refutation of the entire supernatural incident, and the latest safety information at the site should take priority.

FAQ

Does "unmeasurable" mean the rumor is wrong?

No. What I mean is that the independent documents we obtained this time did not allow us to directly compare the subject of the rumor, the time period, the original images, etc. I am not denying it solely on the grounds that the documents were not included.

Does this new information mean that the supernatural phenomenon has been proven?

No. The city's guide to Fukiware Falls includes a description of the Ryugu legend and the tableware, and I treated it as context not found on the rumor page I referenced. I did not confirm the existence of the legendary events or phenomena.

Do the dots on the map indicate the locations where the rumors originated?

No. For lakes, it's the approximate center of the lake surface; for dams, it's the structure; and for waterfalls, it's the location of the waterfall. It's not a map that pinpoints the location of sightings or accidents; please check local information for safe routes and accessibility.

Does the discrepancy at the Matsuda River Dam mean a denial of any supernatural occurrences or incidents?

No. The map on the rumor page lists Ashikaga City, Gunma Prefecture, while the Tochigi Prefecture document lists Matsuda, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. The discrepancy is limited to the prefecture name and does not indicate the veracity of the sightings or incidents.