[2026 Latest] Top 3 Ranking of Ghostly Rumors Related to Tunnels in Southern Tohoku

This article examines three tunnels located in Yamagata Prefecture, in southern Tohoku. The Sekiyama Tunnel is associated with a rumor linked to an accident during the Meiji era, the Shirataka Tunnel is linked to strange occurrences inside vehicles, and the Old Kamosaka Tunnel is associated with carvings. To what extent do accident records, road inspection charts, and city publications support these stories? We will focus on what can be verified using publicly available documents and maps, and interpret each rumor according to its claims.

Survey methods and evaluation criteria

We extracted dates, accidents, structures, and personal accounts from external rumor pages as separate claims and compared them with local government documents. A match is defined as when all independent sources support the claim; a partial match is when specific claims have both support and unconfirmed elements; and a discrepancy is when there is a direct contradiction. If direct comparison is not possible, the information is considered unmeasurable; even if a comparison is not possible, if important records not present in the rumor are confirmed, it is considered a new fact. In the event of a contradiction, discrepancies take precedence over discoveries. Map coordinates were obtained by comparing tunnel shapes and listed locations on OpenStreetMap, and the same coordinates were used in Google Maps. The ranking of 100 points represents the quality of the materials, based on source transparency (30 points), historical/spatial context (25 points), safety information (20 points), recency of information (15 points), and rumor source transparency (10 points), and does not reflect the truthfulness of the fear or paranormal phenomena.

1st Place: Sekiyama Tunnel | Mismatch (89 points)

The rumored details

The Sekiyama Tunnel discussed here is the old road tunnel referred to as the "Old Sekiyama Tunnel" on a rumors page. The source claims that an explosion of explosives occurred during construction, resulting in the deaths of more than 25 workers. It also mentions theories of ignition caused by worker negligence and claims that the spirits of those who died in the accident gather there, causing chills and nausea when approaching. These are merely claims made in the publication and do not mean that the experience or cause has been confirmed.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The rumors were confirmed on the individual page for the old Sekiyama Tunnel on the external website "National Haunted Map." The number of people involved in the accident, the cause of ignition, and the explanation of physical sensations are all from that page, but the original testimony and accident investigation documents are not shown. This is treated as a secondary publication example, and the original source is unknown.

• Nationwide Haunted Map - Old Sekiyama Tunnel(Verification Date: 2026-09-29) — Regarding the tunnel on the old road side, it states that "more than 25 workers lost their lives," and includes rumors about the ghosts of those who died in the accident and chills. The original source is not indicated.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The Yamagata Prefecture Industrial Heritage guide states that construction of the Sekiyama Tunnel began in June 1880 and was completed in June 1882. It also mentions that there was an explosion of explosives used for tunnel construction, resulting in 23 deaths and 7 serious injuries. However, it does not describe the specific circumstances of the ignition or the rumored physical sensations. The Yamagata Prefecture guide distinguishes between the two tunnel entrances, stating that the entrance to the new Sekiyama Tunnel is located approximately 70 meters lower than the old tunnel entrance. The new tunnel was completed in November 1968.

• Sekiyama Tunnel, Yamagata Prefecture(Confirmed on 2026-09-29) — "During the construction of the Sekiyama Tunnel, there was a tragic accident involving an explosion of tunnel excavation explosives, resulting in 23 deaths and 7 serious injuries." "The entrance to the new Sekiyama Tunnel is located about 70 meters lower than the old tunnel."

Points of agreement/contradictions

The basic premise of a gunpowder explosion accident matches the prefectural records. However, the rumor that "more than 25 workers lost their lives" directly contradicts the total number of deaths recorded by the prefecture as 23. The prefectural records do not identify worker negligence as the cause of the ignition, nor do they provide any records that can be used to verify the claims of spirits or chills. The existence of the accident should not be used to support the supernatural.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
An explosion of explosives occurred during construction work.	support	The explanation of the Sekiyama Tunnel in Yamagata Prefecture clearly states that it was an explosion accident involving explosives used for tunnel construction, and the type of accident and the timeframe (during construction) match.	Sekiyama Tunnel, Yamagata Prefecture
More than 25 workers lost their lives.	contradiction	The prefectural records indicate a total of 23 deaths, which falls short of the rumored lower limit of 25 or more. Furthermore, the records do not support the claim that only workers were involved.	Sekiyama Tunnel, Yamagata Prefecture
The theory that the fire was caused by worker negligence.	Unconfirmed	The prefectural documents describe an explosion accident involving gunpowder, but they do not specify the exact act of ignition or who is responsible, so the rumored cause cannot be confirmed.	No official data available for direct comparison.
The spirits of those who died in the accident gather	Unconfirmed	Accident records are documents to confirm the number of fatalities, and do not independently verify sightings of spirits or the occurrence of chills.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

Confusing the old road tunnel with the new tunnel completed in 1968 could lead to mistakenly linking stories told on the current road to an accident from the Meiji era. However, there is no evidence to suggest that this confusion gave rise to individual accounts. Discrepancies in the number of people involved can be considered as errors in the spread of rumors or in the writing process, but the process by which it occurred cannot be determined.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

By comparing the prefectural government's explanation with the pages where rumors were posted, it is possible to compare the number of fatalities in the explosion accident. Since the initial accident investigation report, the first appearance of the rumors, and individual experience dates and measurement records have not been confirmed, the details of ignition and the cause of physical sensations cannot be determined. The old tunnel sections on the map do not represent current traffic permits.

Verification result: Mismatch

The assessment considers not only whether or not the accident actually occurred, but also the specific number of deaths mentioned in the rumors. While the prefecture clearly states 23 deaths, the rumors mention more than 25 workers, and this contradiction directly contradicts the atomic claims, so the discrepancy was prioritized. The existence of the accident is supported, but the details of the cause of ignition and the strange occurrences remain unconfirmed.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	28/30	The prefecture's industrial heritage page clearly indicates the construction year, the number of accidents, and whether the road was widened or newly constructed, allowing for independent verification from the source of the rumors.
Historical and spatial context	24/25	The records continue from its completion in 1882 to its widening in 1937 and the construction of the new road in 1968, making it useful for distinguishing between the old and new sections.
Safety information	16/20	The current status of access to the old tunnel cannot be gleaned from the prefectural government's explanation, so the only information available is a warning against entering.
Newness of information	13/15	The prefectural website was updated in March 2026, but it does not contain information on immediate restrictions on the old road.
Transparency of the source of rumors	8/10	The rumor page details the number of people involved and the nature of the experience, but fails to cite the original source of the testimony or the cause of the fire.
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

Maps showing tunnel sections of the old road do not necessarily indicate accessible routes. Road and slope conditions can change, so avoid entering the old road or exploring at night, and check current restrictions with the authorities.

Map location: This point indicates the vicinity of the old tunnel section, but does not show the entrance or passable points.

Check the area around Sekiyama Tunnel on Google Maps.

2nd Place: Shirataka Tunnel | New Facts (76 points)

The rumored details

The Shirataka Tunnel page on the nationwide paranormal map lists the ghost of a young girl in the list, and the description states that the ghost of a young woman appears late at night. The story goes that this presence shakes cars, bangs on windows, and glares at the occupants. The terms "girl" and "young woman" are not consistent within the page, and no original accounts that specify the date and time of the experience are provided.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The rumor was confirmed on the individual Shirataka Tunnel page of the external website "National Haunted Map." The page administrator himself notes the lack of primary information and unconfirmed content. Since the first witness and the date and time of the incident could not be confirmed, it is treated as a secondary publication and its original source is unknown.

• National Haunted Map - Shirataka Tunnel(Confirmed on 2026-09-29) — "At Shirataka Tunnel, the ghost of a young woman appears late at night, shaking cars, banging on windows, and glaring." The administrator notes a lack of primary source information.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The Yamagata Prefecture road tunnel life extension plan list includes the Shirataka Tunnel, located on National Route 348 in Shirataka Town, constructed in 1989, with a length of 1004 meters. The prefecture's life extension plan indicates that the Shirataka Tunnel's structural integrity was rated as III in the 2022 inspection, and listed cross-sectional repair as a countermeasure. This is an inspection and countermeasure recorded in the plan, and does not reflect the current construction status or the condition of vehicles on the rumored date and time.

• List of Road Tunnel Life Extension Plans in Yamagata Prefecture(Confirmed on 2026-09-29) — Shirataka, National Route 348, Shirataka Town, Secondary, 1989, Mountain (NATM), B, 1004, 8.5, 6, 1.5, LED R4, III, R9, ●, 2,000, Section Repair

Points of agreement/contradictions

The prefectural list shows facility management records, but it is not a document that measures experiences such as the shaking of vehicles at night, the sound of knocking on windows, or feeling like you are being watched. The rumor page's indication of the Nanyo City side and the Shirataka Town listed in the prefectural table alone do not constitute a location error. This is because the tunnel is close to both areas, and the treatment of the endpoints may differ.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
The ghost of a young woman appears in the middle of the night.	Unconfirmed	The prefecture's tunnel plan deals with facility specifications and inspections, and does not contain documents that directly record or verify eyewitness accounts from the night.	No official data available for direct comparison.
Shaking the car	Unconfirmed	The date and time of the rumored incident and vehicle measurements are not provided, making it impossible to determine the presence or cause of specific tremors from the inspection categories in the prefectural table.	No official data available for direct comparison.
Knocking on the windowpanes	Unconfirmed	There is no independent record confirming contact with the window, and the road structure repair plan cannot be used as evidence of that experience.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

The shaking and noise felt inside the vehicle are influenced by several factors, including road surface, driving conditions, wind, and reflections, but we have no measurement data to suggest that any of these occurred at this particular location. We also cannot directly link the prefecture's repair plan to these causes. Rumors and management records should be treated as separate types of information.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

Due to the lack of information regarding the date and time the rumor occurred, the vehicle involved, video footage, and on-site measurements, it is impossible to recreate and compare the accounts. The prefectural table shows inspection columns and plans for fiscal year 2022 and does not guarantee current structural integrity or completion of repairs. Details of municipal boundaries are also not considered as evidence to determine the veracity of the rumor.

Verification results: New facts

No evidence was found to directly support or refute the rumored vehicle shaking or contact with the windows, and under normal circumstances, this would be impossible to measure. On the other hand, the prefecture's independent management records include plans for structural integrity level III and cross-sectional repair, which are not mentioned on the rumor page. This has been added as new facts that are meaningful additional information when considering road management, but it does not constitute a determination of the cause of the strange occurrences or shaking.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	26/30	While individual prefectural lists allow you to check the route, construction year, length, and inspection category, there are no primary records investigating the rumored experience.
Historical and spatial context	18/25	Knowing the facility specifications and management divisions of National Route 348 allows for careful handling of place names on the Nanyo City side and the Shirataka Town side.
Safety information	15/20	The prefectural inspection checklist will include the repair plan, while clearly indicating that current construction and regulations require separate review.
Newness of information	11/15	The prefectural plan was updated in 2024, and the inspection column contains records from fiscal year 2022, so it cannot be treated as reflecting the current situation.
Transparency of the source of rumors	6/10	While the content of the rumors is readable, the administrator explicitly states that there is a lack of primary source information, and the original documents of the personal accounts are not provided.
total	76/100	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 Shirataka Tunnel is part of the existing road infrastructure; avoid stopping or taking photographs while driving. Do not rely solely on past inspection reports from the prefecture to judge the current repair status; if traffic restrictions are necessary, check with the road administrator for the latest information.

Map location: The map shows the middle of the tunnel section and does not indicate stopping points or entrances/exits.

Check the area around Shirataka Tunnel on Google Maps.

3rd Place: Old Kamosaka Tunnel | Partial Match (68 points)

The rumored details

The page for the old Kamosaka Tunnel on the nationwide paranormal map states that the old tunnel's purpose ended when the Kamo Tunnel opened, and that the old tunnel was subsequently sealed off. It also mentions rumors that there is a tiger carving at the top that moves at night, and that taking a picture of it will bring a curse. While it touches on female ghosts and paranormal photographs, it does not provide information on the carving's current status, the date the photos were taken, or the original records of the experiences.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The rumor is posted on the individual page for the old Kamosaka Tunnel on the external website "National Haunted Map." While the explanation of its opening and closing, along with the legend of the carvings, are found on the same page, there is no indication of when the story was first told or any independent records regarding the carvings. Therefore, this is considered a secondary publication, and the original source is unknown.

• Nationwide Haunted Map - Old Kamosaka Tunnel(Confirmed on 2026-09-29) — The article states that "the old Kamosaka Tunnel has fulfilled its purpose since the opening of the Kamo Tunnel," and includes rumors about the tiger carvings moving at night and about photographs.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The 2018 Tsuruoka City newsletter includes the phrase "Old Kamo Tunnel to Aburato" in its itinerary for an early spring walking tour. This is a guide from that time and does not indicate current access permits. The Yamagata Prefecture school route inspection list lists the section from the Kamo T-junction on National Route 112 to the Kamosaka Tunnel as the target area. While the city's designation for the old road and the prefecture's records for the current road can be distinguished, neither document mentions the movement of the carvings or the reasons for the closures.

• Tsuruoka City Public Relations - Early Spring Walking Tour Information(Confirmed on 2026-09-29) — The itinerary for the early spring walking tour includes "① Old Kamo Tunnel to Aburato". This is the name and itinerary at the time of the event and does not reflect the current traffic conditions.
• List of locations in Yamagata Prefecture where inspection measures are being taken for school routes (Shonai region).(Confirmed on 2026-09-29) — The section of National Route 112 in question is marked as "Kamo area, Tsuruoka City (from Kamo T-junction to Kamosaka Tunnel)". The reason and timing of the closure of the old road are not mentioned.

Points of agreement/contradictions

Regarding the rumor that "the Kamo Tunnel has opened," the prefectural road inspection list records the Kamosaka Tunnel on National Route 112 as the end of the section being inspected. While this supports the idea that there is an existing tunnel on the road that is already open, the list does not provide any information on when or why the old road was closed. The fact that the old tunnel is referred to in the city's public relations materials does not corroborate the stories of the tiger carvings or the female ghost.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
The Kamo Tunnel has opened.	support	The prefecture's list of school route inspections treats the Kamosaka Tunnel on National Route 112 as the end of the road section, supporting the area where the tunnel on the current road is in use.	List of locations in Yamagata Prefecture where inspection measures are being taken for school routes (Shonai region).
The old tunnel has been sealed off.	Unconfirmed	The city's event announcements and the prefecture's list of school route inspections are not official notices indicating the dates of closures of the old road or the current restrictions.	No official data available for direct comparison.
It has a tiger carving that moves at night	Unconfirmed	The municipal documents obtained do not contain any records of the carvings' current status or movement, and the conditions under which they were observed cannot be confirmed.	No official data available for direct comparison.
Taking a picture will bring a curse.	Unconfirmed	There is no data that allows for an independent comparison of the shooting records and results, and the mere fact that the source of publication has commented on this cannot be used to establish a causal relationship.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

If we discuss the old tunnel and the current Kamosaka Tunnel as a single location, it's easy to mistake the road's usage records for evidence of the old tunnel's ghost stories. While there's room for consideration regarding factors like light and viewing angle in the story of the carvings appearing to move, the current state of the carvings themselves cannot be confirmed, and there is no documentation to determine the cause.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

The city's public relations materials are event announcements from 2018, and the prefectural documents are a list of road inspections, not current regulations for the old road. The date the old tunnel was closed, administrative records regarding alternative routes, the status of the carvings' preservation, and the original photographic data cannot be confirmed from these materials. Therefore, we cannot make a judgment regarding the passability of the site or any unusual occurrences.

Verification results: Partial match

The tangible element of the rumor—the opening of the existing tunnel—is consistent with the road section described in prefectural documents, which assumes the opening of the Kamosaka Tunnel. On the other hand, the circumstances surrounding the closure of the old tunnel, the movement of the tiger carving, and the curse in the photograph cannot be confirmed in independent documents. The support is limited to the existence of new road facilities, not support for the supernatural phenomena.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	24/30	The city's public relations materials list the name of the old tunnel, while the prefectural list includes the current Kamosaka Tunnel, allowing for comparison using separate documents.
Historical and spatial context	15/25	While the old road and the current road are distinguished by their names, the official circumstances leading to the renovation and closure of the old tunnel cannot be definitively determined.
Safety information	13/20	The source of the rumor mentions a lockdown, but the current regulatory notices have not been confirmed, and maps are not used for entry directions.
Newness of information	10/15	The prefectural list is based on 2026 data, but the city's public relations materials are from 2018 and do not show the current state of the old road.
Transparency of the source of rumors	6/10	While the story about the carvings can be traced back to its original source, there is no record of its first appearance, independent eyewitness accounts, or physical evidence.
total	68/100	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

It is not possible to determine the condition of the old road or any access restrictions based solely on this document. The dots on the map are for identifying the vicinity of the old tunnel and do not represent access routes. Avoid exploring beyond fences and restrictions, and confirm necessary road information with the relevant authorities.

Map location: This point indicates the vicinity of the western entrance of the old tunnel and does not indicate whether entry is possible.

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

What I learned by crossing locations

At the Sekiyama Tunnel, the gunpowder accident itself matches the prefectural records, but the rumored number of fatalities differs from the prefectural figures. At the Shirataka Tunnel, the reports of car shaking and windows being knocked on could not be confirmed from the inspection sheet, but instead, a repair plan that was not mentioned in the rumors was confirmed. At the Old Kamosaka Tunnel, the existence of the current road tunnel could be confirmed, but the reason for the closure of the old road and the stories about the carvings could not be confirmed. At all three locations, the map is merely a clue to identify the subject, and does not indicate the reproducibility of the personal accounts or the possibility of access.

summary

The most concrete discrepancy in the documents was the number of fatalities at the Sekiyama Tunnel. The inspection and repair records for the Shirataka Tunnel are road management information and not evidence to explain the strange occurrences inside the vehicle. At Kamosaka, it is necessary to read the old road name and the records for the current tunnel separately. The remaining questions are the origin of the rumors, the original records of each experience, and the current regulations on the old road. None of these can be answered with the documents obtained this time.

FAQ

Is a partial match considered sufficient evidence to support the conclusion that a paranormal phenomenon occurred?

No. Regarding the old Kamosaka Tunnel, I only supported the road-side claim that the current tunnel exists. I have not found any independent sources confirming claims that the carvings move or that taking pictures will bring a curse.

Is the Shirataka Tunnel repair plan the cause of the shaking in the car?

The cause has not been determined. The prefectural table shows past inspection categories and countermeasures, but it does not contain measurement records of vehicles or road surfaces at the date and time mentioned in the rumors. No evidence was found to show a causal relationship between the two.

Can I get to the old tunnel by aiming for the dot on the map?

Maps are for identifying locations and do not indicate permission for passage or entry. Conditions on old roads can change, so you should check the latest regulations from the administrator before deciding to go there.