[2026 Latest] Top 3 Paranormal Rumors about 3 Lakes in Hokkaido: A Comparison of Rumors and Official Documents

This study breaks down specific descriptions of paranormal activity surrounding Lake Shikotsu, Lake Harutori, and Lake Shikaribetsu in Hokkaido, comparing them with publicly available documents from local governments and tourism associations. It does not rely solely on the existence of the lakes or the publicly available rumors to support the claims of paranormal activity; instead, it distinguishes between confirmed geological, park, and ecological information and claims that cannot be verified by records.

Survey methods and evaluation criteria

The survey date was fixed as 2026-10-02, and one external rumor-posting page and one official or administrator page were directly verified at each location. Claims were divided by subject, event, use, and history of tradition. If official sources showed the same specific facts, it was considered a match; if there was a coexistence of support and unconfirmed information, it was considered a partial match; if there were clearly different facts, it was considered a mismatch; and if there were no comparable records, it was considered unmeasurable. Even if a comparison was not possible, new facts were only considered if meaningful geological, cultural, or ecological information not present in the rumor was confirmed. The existence of a lake, matching place names, and the mere posting of the rumor were not used as grounds for partial match. The data quality score is a sum of source transparency, historical and spatial context, safety information, recency of information, and source transparency of the rumor, and does not represent the truthfulness or danger level of the supernatural phenomenon.

1st Place: Lake Shikotsu | New Facts (90 points)

The rumored details

An external website listing rumors describes Lake Shikotsu as a lake in Chitose City, Hokkaido, and states that "a female ghost appears there." Furthermore, the paranormal section of the same page includes a hearsay that "many white figures rose to the surface of the water" while camping by the lake. This is the content of the rumor written on the page, and does not provide the date and time of the experience, the observation location, or any independent records or verifiable materials.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The source is the Lake Shikotsu page of the National Haunted Map, with the page's last update date being 2026/08/11. Since the source itself indicates it's a user-submitted page including comments and personal experiences, it's treated here as a secondary publication example. The original publication date in magazines, official documents, or the origin of the legend cannot be determined from this page.

• Nationwide Haunted Map: Lake Shikotsu(Verification Date: 2026-10-02) — The page describes Lake Shikotsu as a haunted spot among lakes (ponds) and dams in Chitose City, Hokkaido, and mentions that a female ghost appears there. The section on paranormal activity includes a story about many white human figures appearing on the water's surface while camping. Updated: 2026/08/11.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The official tourism website for Chitose City explains that "Lake Shikotsu is a caldera lake formed when water accumulated in a depression created by the eruption of Mount Shikotsu approximately 40,000 years ago." It also states that Lake Shikotsu is a caldera lake formed when water accumulated in a depression created by the eruption of Mount Shikotsu approximately 40,000 years ago. It also mentions its major axis is approximately 13 km, its minor axis is approximately 5 km, its circumference is approximately 40 km, its maximum depth is approximately 360 m, and its average depth is approximately 265 m, and introduces its use for kayaking, diving, mountain climbing, and fishing. What can be confirmed here is its geology, size, and use as a tourist attraction, and it is not a record that identifies a female ghost or a white figure. It should be treated as basic information when considering the water level and depth of Lake Shikotsu.

• Chitose's tourist attraction: Lake Shikotsu [Chitose City Official](Verification date 2026-10-02) — The official tourism website of Chitose City explains that "Lake Shikotsu is a caldera lake formed when water accumulated in a depression created by the eruption of Mount Shikotsu approximately 40,000 years ago," and lists its major axis 13 km, minor axis 5 km, and maximum depth of approximately 360 m.

Points of agreement/contradictions

The two rumors and claims, "A female ghost appears" and "Many white figures emerge," were neither supported nor refuted by the geology, water depth, and tourist information on the official tourism page, and were therefore left unconfirmed. While the fact that Lake Shikotsu is located in Chitose City helps in identifying the location, it is not counted as a partial match for the supernatural phenomena. Outside of the comparison, we were able to officially confirm specific geological information, such as caldera formation, which is not mentioned in the rumors.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
A female ghost appears	Unconfirmed	The official Chitose City tourism page explains the lake's geology and uses for tourism, but it does not record or acknowledge the appearance of a female ghost, so it is listed as unconfirmed in this document.	No official data available for direct comparison.
Many white figures began to emerge.	Unconfirmed	There is no record of a white figure emerging from the water on the official website, and the rumor cannot be considered supported by independent sources based solely on hearsay.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

Deep bodies of water, wind-induced surface disturbances, fog, and reflections in dark places are common factors that can influence the impression of eyewitness accounts, but this document does not specify the cause of individual experiences. It is important not to assume that natural phenomena are the actual cause, and to distinguish between rumors and geological information.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

The scope of verification was limited to one rumor-posting page, one official Chitose City tourism page, and matching the lake's coordinates. Regarding the female ghost and the white figure, individual police and fire department records, third-party testimonies from the same time, and original sources were not obtained. The mere absence of information on the official page does not constitute a discrepancy.

Verification results: New facts

Neither of the two core claims of the rumor could be measured in the official documents this time, so a determination of a match between the supernatural phenomena cannot be made. On the other hand, regarding Lake Shikotsu, we were able to confirm the formation of a caldera caused by a volcanic eruption, which is not mentioned in the rumor text, on the official Chitose City website, so the result for that location was labeled as "new fact." This label means that the geological information is new and does not prove the existence of a female ghost or a human figure on the water's surface.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	27/30	The update date of the source of the rumor, the operating entity of the official website, and the relevant explanation are all clearly indicated, ensuring that the two roles are not confused.
Historical and spatial context	24/25	The origin of the eruption, the formation of the caldera, and the size of the lake are confirmed from official descriptions, and the information is not merely a list of place names.
Safety information	17/20	As this body of water is featured for lake activities and mountain climbing, a warning is given to avoid risky nighttime visits, and the location is shown on a map.
Newness of information	14/15	I recorded the update date of the rumor page and referenced the current information on the official tourism page separately from the date of my research.
Transparency of the source of rumors	8/10	The text clearly states that the information on the page in question is based on hearsay and is based on user submissions, and that its original source is unknown, thus avoiding treating it as proof of a rumor.
total	90/100	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

Because the lakeshore and the lake itself are affected by weather, water temperature, and wind, avoid nighttime daredevil activities and unauthorized entry to the water's edge. Check the usage information in the official tourist guide, follow the management areas, entry signs, and local safety instructions, and use the map only to confirm the overall location of the lake.

Check the area around Lake Shikotsu on Google Maps.

2nd Place: Harutori Lake | New Facts (86 points)

The rumored details

The Harutori Lake page of the National Haunted Map lists rumors of a female ghost and voice, and introduces the lake as being in Kushiro City, Hokkaido. The text states, "It seems that a nearby elementary school used the lake as an ice skating rink, and there are rumors that several elementary school students fell into the lake and died," and also lists hearsay such as "several human-shaped shadows rise from the lake" and "when driving near the lake at night, groaning sounds were heard on the radio." All of these are treated as content published on the same page.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The source is the Harutori Lake page of the National Haunted Map (updated 2024/09/24). The page is a secondary publication that includes submissions, personal accounts, and comments, and the initial appearance, timing, and supporting documents of the rumors about the use of the ice rink and deaths mentioned there cannot be confirmed from the page.

• Nationwide Haunted Map: "Harutori Lake"(Verification Date: 2026-10-02) — The page describes Lake Harutori as a haunted spot in Kushiro City, Hokkaido, and includes rumors about a female ghost and voice, a skating rink and elementary school students, a human-shaped shadow, and groans coming from a car radio. Updated: 2024/09/24.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The official Kushiro City website describes Harutori Park as having a walking path that circles Lake Harutori, where visitors can observe plants and wild birds. The Kushiro City website also states that Harutori Park contains the nationally designated historical sites "Harutori Plateau Pit Dwelling Group" and "Harutoru Charanke Chashi Ruins." Harutori Park is located in Harukodai, Kushiro City, with an area of 68.60 hectares, and is listed as having opened as a comprehensive park on October 15, 1956. The information available on the Kushiro City website is about the park, walking path, historical sites, and facilities, but it does not contain any records confirming the rumors about the skating accident, shadows, or radio voices.

• Harutori Park, Kushiro City(Verification Date: 2026-10-02) — The Kushiro City official website provides information about Harutori Park, including a walking trail that circles Lake Harutori and opportunities for nature observation. It is also famous for being home to the nationally designated historical sites, "Harutori Plateau Pit Dwelling Group" and "Harutoru Charanke Chashi Ruins."

Points of agreement/contradictions

The rumors of the ice rink being used, a primary school student falling and dying, a human-shaped shadow, and groaning sounds on the radio cannot be confirmed from the park overview of Kushiro City, and the facility description on the official website will not be used to support the claims of accidents or strange occurrences. The fact that Lake Harutori is located in Kushiro City is merely identification information. On the other hand, two designated historical sites not mentioned in the rumors were confirmed in the city's guide, so these new facts are added without the possibility of direct comparison.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
Apparently, a nearby elementary school was using the lake as an ice skating rink.	Unconfirmed	The official overview of Harutori Park in Kushiro City includes descriptions of walking paths, observation facilities, and historical sites, but there is no record of a nearby elementary school using the lake as an ice skating rink.	No official data available for direct comparison.
Several elementary school children have died after falling into the lake.	Unconfirmed	The official park page does not record the elementary school student's fall and death, and the hearsay on the rumor page alone cannot independently verify the date, time, or supporting evidence of the incident.	No official data available for direct comparison.
Several humanoid figures emerge from the lake.	Unconfirmed	The city's facility guide does not mention shadows rising from the lake's surface, nor have we obtained any documents that allow us to treat eyewitness accounts as official records of the phenomenon.	No official data available for direct comparison.
I heard groans coming from the radio.	Unconfirmed	The park overview for Kushiro City does not include radio recordings or nighttime listening examples, therefore the hearsay presented cannot be supported by official documents.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

The wind near the water, the sound of reeds and trees rustling, the reception of the car radio, and nighttime visibility conditions are all common possibilities that could create the impression of voices and shadows. However, this document does not include on-site verification or acoustic measurements, so it cannot be definitively determined that these are the causes.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

The scope of verification was limited to the Harutori Lake rumor page, the Kushiro City Harutori Park overview, and the Nominatim water area coordinates. The city page describes the park, historical sites, and walking trails, but does not show individual records of the deaths, ice rink, or radio recordings mentioned in the rumors. Since the scope was not expanded to include accident records or initial sources, unverified information is not considered a discrepancy.

Verification results: New facts

Regarding the four specific claims listed in the rumor, neither support nor counter-evidence can be found in the official park documents, making a comparative assessment of paranormal phenomena impossible. However, we confirmed on the city's website that there are two designated historical sites in Harutori Park, which are specific cultural assets not mentioned in the rumor text. Therefore, we consider this a "new fact" and will not treat the existence of the historical sites as evidence of death or paranormal activity.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	26/30	The city's official website's update date and the park's management entity are indicated, clearly distinguishing between the nature of rumors posted online and the role of supporting documents.
Historical and spatial context	24/25	In addition to the walking paths, I specifically gathered information on the accessibility of the two designated historical sites and the park itself.
Safety information	17/20	This document outlines practical precautions to avoid nighttime noise and unauthorized access in both waterfront areas and urban parks.
Newness of information	12/15	The update dates for the rumor page and the city page (December 15, 2025) are distinguished and not confused with the fixed value of the survey date.
Transparency of the source of rumors	7/10	The descriptions of the ice rink and the voices are broken down into elements based on hearsay, and the first appearance or the fact of death are not definitively established.
total	86/100	This is the overall quality of the materials. It does not represent the degree of truthfulness or danger associated with the supernatural phenomena.

Safety information and maps

Please check the city's information regarding the walking paths and facilities in Harutori Park, and refrain from making noise at night or approaching the waterfront without permission. Check the park's operating hours, entry signs, and seasonal ground conditions posted on-site, and limit the use of maps to roughly confirm the location of the lake and the park.

Check the area around Lake Harutori on Google Maps.

3rd Place: Lake Shikaribetsu | New Facts (84 points)

The rumored details

The Lake Shikaribetsu page of the nationwide paranormal map states that a female ghost appears there, and that "those who throw themselves into this lake never resurface" and "the ghost wanders around the lake at night, reaching its hand out of the water." It also includes the legend that "it is whispered to be a suicide spot, but no bodies are ever found." The page also states that there are no specific news reports of incidents, but that does not prove that no incidents have occurred.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The source is the Lake Shikaribetsu page of the National Haunted Map (updated 2019/06/15). The page is a secondary publication of paranormal information, including user submissions and personal accounts, and it is not possible to confirm the original appearance of the legend, the specific date and time of the incident, or any independent accident records. The page's own statement of "No news available" is not evidence that the incident did not occur.

• Nationwide Haunted Map: Lake Shikaribetsu(Verification Date: 2026-10-02) — The page describes Lake Shikaribetsu as a haunted spot in Shikaoi Town, Hokkaido, mentioning the ghost of a woman, legends of those who jumped into the lake not floating, descriptions of hands reaching out of the water at night, and its reputation as a suicide spot. Updated: 2019/06/15.

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The Shikaoi Town Tourism Association's website introduces Lake Shikaribetsu as a lake within Daisetsuzan National Park, explaining that it was formed approximately 10,000 to 40,000 years ago when volcanic activity dammed a river, creating a lake at an altitude of about 800 meters. It also states that the Miyabe char, a subspecies of Dolly Varden trout that inhabits the lake into which the Yanbetsu River flows, has evolved independently in Lake Shikaribetsu, and that catch-and-release fishing is permitted for only 50 days of the year. What can be confirmed here is the topography, ecology, and usage rules, but it is not a record that officially designates it as a place for suicide by jumping into the water or grabbing hands into the water.

• Shikaoi Town Tourism Association: "Lake Shikaribetsu in Daisetsuzan National Park"(Confirmed on 2026-10-02) — The Shikaoi Town Tourism Association announced, "The Miyabe char, a subspecies of Dolly Varden trout that inhabits the lake into which the Yanbetsu River, the only inflowing river, flows, has evolved independently. Catch-and-release fishing is available at Lake Shikaribetsu for only 50 days a year."

Points of agreement/contradictions

The three main claims lack support and clear counter-evidence from the Shikaoi Town Tourism Association's topography, ecology, and tourist information, and the rumor that no body was found has not been verified with official records. Some suicide spots are not identified due to the place name of Lake Shikaribetsu and its use as a tourist destination. The evolution of endemic fish and the condition of 50 days of use per year, which are not mentioned in the rumor text, can be confirmed from independent sources and are therefore presented separately as new facts.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
Those who throw themselves into this lake never surface again.	Unconfirmed	The Shikaoi Town Tourism Association's introduction covers the lake's formation and usage conditions, but it does not record any incidents of people who jumped in and did not surface, so it is listed as unconfirmed.	No official data available for direct comparison.
They wander around the lake as spirits at night, or reach their hands out of the water.	Unconfirmed	The administrator's page does not contain any records of ghosts at night or hands emerging from the water's surface, and the description from the source of the rumor alone cannot be considered as support from independent sources.	No official data available for direct comparison.
It is whispered to be a suicide spot.	Unconfirmed	The tourism association's website does not indicate that the area is a suicide spot, nor have they obtained any official documents to verify the origins or actual status of the rumored reputation.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

At high-altitude lakes, wind, waves, fog, and sounds around accommodations can affect nighttime perception. While it's generally possible to misjudge water surface reflections or shoreline shapes, this data does not account for individual sightings of voices or hands.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

I only checked three sources: the Lake Shikaribetsu rumors page, the Shikaoi Town Tourism Association page, and the Nominatim coordinates. The tourism association's materials show the lake's formation, ecology, and usage period, but they are not accident records that can determine the presence or absence of suicides, corpses, or hands on the water's surface as mentioned in the rumors. Therefore, I will not treat the absence of information as refutation, and the veracity of the initial reports and individual experiences will remain unconfirmed.

Verification results: New facts

Since there are no records in the administrator's documents obtained that allow for direct comparison of the three specific claims in the rumors, it remains impossible to determine whether the phenomenon is supernatural. However, because we were able to confirm specific information not found in the rumors, such as the evolution of the Miyabe char endemic to Lake Shikaribetsu and the 50 days of catch-and-release per year, this classification represents new facts. This merely indicates a discovery of ecology and usage conditions, and does not support the supernatural content of the rumors.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	25/30	The organization operating the tourism association and the target audience of the page were identified, and secondary postings from the rumor-mongering side and administrator information were recorded separately.
Historical and spatial context	23/25	The origins of high-altitude lakes due to volcanic activity and the history of endemic fish species in the Yanbetsu River were used as correlative material.
Safety information	16/20	Considering the high-altitude waterways and seasonal usage restrictions, a warning to avoid approaching them at night is included alongside the map information.
Newness of information	12/15	The old update dates on the rumors page were not hidden, and the current tourist association information and the fixed date of the survey were distinguished.
Transparency of the source of rumors	8/10	The specific wording of the legend, its unknown origin, and the limitations of the news section were clearly indicated, and a distinction was made between retelling and fact.
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

Lake Shikaribetsu is a high-altitude lake with unpredictable weather, and official information indicates that water activities are subject to seasonal and management conditions. Avoid nighttime dares and approaching the water's edge, check the operating period, accessible areas, and on-site instructions, and use the map only to confirm the general location of the lakeshore.

Check the area around Lake Shikaribetsu on Google Maps.

What I learned by crossing locations

What the three locations have in common is that while the paranormal pages strongly depict impressions related to the water surface, voices, figures, and disappearances, the official sources have recorded information for different purposes, such as topography, parks, tourism, and ecology. Lake Shikotsu focuses on the depth and water quality of its caldera lake, Lake Harutori on its urban park and historical sites, and Lake Shikaribetsu on its high-altitude lake and unique fish. Therefore, the absence of descriptions of paranormal activity in the official documents is not an automatic inconsistency, but rather a lack of records that can measure the claims, and the presence of new information not found in the rumors, which should be read separately.

summary

While the rumor pages for all three locations feature specific paranormal experiences and legends, the official and administrator documents we directly examined contained no records to support these claims. On the other hand, we were able to confirm specific information not found in the rumor texts, such as the formation of the caldera at Lake Shikotsu, the designated historical sites at Harutori Park, and the Miyabe char and seasonal fishing at Lake Shikaribetsu. These are not proof of paranormal activity, but rather other facts that help us understand the lakes better.

FAQ

Does this "new fact" prove the supernatural phenomenon?

No. The new facts are simply that we were able to confirm geological, cultural, ecological, and usage conditions not mentioned in the rumor text through official documents, and do not certify the existence of paranormal phenomena or the truthfulness of the personal accounts.

If we can confirm that the lake actually exists, would that be considered a partial match?

No. Place names and the existence of lakes are merely pieces of information used to identify the subject of the article and do not support specific claims such as strange occurrences or accidents. Only when independent sources show the same facts for each claim will they be used as evidence for agreement.

Why didn't you include the accidents and incidents section in the rumors page?

This is because the official and administrator pages used for this verification do not provide records to corroborate the individual facts listed in the accident section of the original posting. Therefore, the descriptions of individuals, dates, and accidents found on the secondary posting pages were not republished as facts, and the scope was clearly indicated as unconfirmed.

What do the coordinates on the map represent?

These are representative coordinates for viewing the water areas of each lake on a map, and do not indicate specific sighting or accident locations mentioned in rumors. You should check the latest information from the administrator regarding access areas and safety conditions before visiting.