[2026 Latest] Top 3 Ranking of Paranormal Rumors at 3 Parks in Fukushima Prefecture

This article examines three locations in Fukushima Prefecture—Tsuruga Castle Park, Midorigaoka Park, and Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins (Kasumiga Castle Park)—based on rumors surrounding parks and castle ruins. We will compare the claims about locations, facilities, history, and supernatural occurrences made by external rumor sources with the park and tourism information published by each local government, and show how much of it can be verified for each location. The mere existence of a rumor page does not constitute proof of the phenomenon.

Survey methods and evaluation criteria

The survey date was 2026-10-04. For each location, individual pages from the National Haunted Map were re-obtained as secondary publication examples, and the corresponding official facility/tourism pages of the local government were used as a separate source for comparison. The comparison targets were not only the supernatural occurrences, but also the locations, subjects, facilities, history, events, and origins of the legends actually written in the rumors. Agreement is when an original claim is supported by independent material as the same subject/fact, partial agreement is when supported claims and unconfirmed claims coexist, and disagreement is when there are direct contradictions in location, date, purpose, events, etc. If the comparison record is insufficient to make a determination, it is considered immeasurable, and if meaningful official information not found in the rumors is confirmed while the comparison is not valid, it is considered a new fact. New facts do not prove the existence of a supernatural occurrence. In this case, since a comparison of locations and history is possible, the existence of a supernatural occurrence was not supported solely by the matching of facility names, and the five classifications were derived from location-specific evidence.

1st place: Tsurugajo Park | Partial match (85 points)

The rumored details

The individual page on the National Haunted Map describes Tsuruga Castle as "a park and castle ruins located in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture," and states that "a male ghost appears there" and "ghost photos can be taken there." The text also mentions that the ghosts of soldiers and women appear at night, rumors that "the sky turns red when you take a picture there," and that listening to certain music will cause inexplicable events or serious injuries several months later. In this article, the name of the subject will be Tsuruga Castle Park, in accordance with the official name. All of these are rumors from the source and have not been officially confirmed by the local government.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The source of the rumor is the individual page for Tsuruga Castle on the National Haunted Map website. It is treated as a secondary source rather than a primary source where the original appearance can be confirmed. The page was last updated on December 1, 2025, and this verification was done on October 4, 2026. The page contains sections for submitted information and paranormal phenomena, but no sources linking to local government documents or original records are indicated.

• Nationwide Haunted Map | Tsuruga Castle(Confirmed on 2026-10-04) — "Tsuruga Castle is a haunted spot located in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, which is also a park and castle ruin." "A male ghost appears there." "You can take photos of ghosts there." "There are also rumors that the sky turns red when you take a picture there."

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The official Aizuwakamatsu City "Tsuruga Castle Park" page lists the park's location as being within Otemachi and Jotomachi in Aizuwakamatsu City, and lists the Aizuwakamatsu City Parks and Green Spaces Association as the contact point. This confirms that it is a park managed by the local government and that the source of the rumors is Aizuwakamatsu City and the subject is a park. On the other hand, the official page does not contain any records to support claims of a male ghost, soldier or female ghosts, paranormal photographs, or the phenomenon of the sky turning red after taking a picture.

• Aizuwakamatsu City | Tsuruga Castle Park(Confirmed on 2026-10-04) — "Tsuruga Castle Park" Location: "Otemachi, Jotomachi, Aizuwakamatsu City" Contact: "Aizuwakamatsu City Parks and Green Spaces Association"

Points of agreement/contradictions

The source of the rumor describes Tsuruga Castle as a park and castle ruin in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, and lists claims of a male ghost, paranormal photographs, ghosts of soldiers and women at night, and the sky turning red in photographs. The official Aizuwakamatsu City website refers to it as Tsuruga Castle Park and describes it as a park located in Otemachi and Jotomachi. The park and its location match, but since the appearance of ghosts and the red sky cannot be confirmed in the official documents, we consider it to be a partial match.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
A park in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture	support	The official Aizuwakamatsu City website lists Tsuruga Castle Park as a park within the city, and states its location as being within the Otemachi/Jotomachi area, so the rumored area and park are relevant.	Aizuwakamatsu City | Tsuruga Castle Park
A male ghost appears	Unconfirmed	The source of the rumor claims it's a male ghost, but the park guide in Aizuwakamatsu City that we checked does not contain any description of recording or acknowledging the phenomenon, and it cannot be confirmed in any independent source.	No official data available for direct comparison.
The sky turns red when you take a picture.	Unconfirmed	The specific phenomenon of the sky turning red after taking a photograph cannot be confirmed from the facility information or location listed on the Aizuwakamatsu City official website, and there are no records of the shooting conditions.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

The moat, trees, castle scenery, nighttime lighting, and wind in Tsuruga Castle Park can affect the color, sound, and perspective of photographs. However, since we did not measure the illuminance, weather, or acoustics at the site, we cannot definitively say that these factors can explain the red sky or the sightings.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

I checked the individual page for Tsuruga Castle on the National Haunted Map and the guide to Tsuruga Castle Park in Aizuwakamatsu City. I did not investigate the nighttime lighting, sound, photographic data, original eyewitness accounts, the first recorded occurrence of the paranormal activity, or other cultural property materials related to the castle ruins. I cannot conclude that the phenomenon did not occur simply because it is not mentioned on the official page.

Verification results: Partial match

The determination is a partial match. The official Aizuwakamatsu City website provides the name, region, and location of Tsuruga Castle Park, which corresponds to the information provided by the source of the rumor, "a park located in Aizuwakamatsu City." On the other hand, the male ghost, the soldier and female ghosts at night, the paranormal photographs, and the red sky cannot be confirmed in the official records. To avoid extending the existence of the park into evidence for the paranormal phenomena, only the location information was determined to be a partial match.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	28/30	By separately obtaining the source of the rumor and the official facility page of Aizuwakamatsu City, it is possible to separate and track the park's target area and unconfirmed paranormal activity.
Historical and spatial context	20/25	While the subject and location—castle ruins park—are clear, the official page does not provide detailed information on its history or individual battle histories.
Safety information	17/20	While the location and management office of the local government can be confirmed, providing clues to inquire about usage, the information regarding nighttime conditions is limited.
Newness of information	13/15	The rumor page was updated in December 2025, making it relatively recent, and the local government page was updated in May 2025, but further confirmation is needed to confirm the current situation.
Transparency of the source of rumors	7/10	While individual URLs, update dates, and multiple claims can be confirmed, the original publication date, original records of experiences, and independent supporting evidence are not provided.
total	85/100	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 Aizuwakamatsu City official website provides information on the park's location and management office. Do not assume you will be visiting the park. Be aware of nighttime noise, ditches and uneven terrain, and access restrictions. Prioritize on-site signage and the latest information from the management. Do not enter private property or closed areas, and behave in a way that does not disturb other users or neighbors.

Check the area around Tsuruga Castle Park on Google Maps.

2nd place: Midorigaoka Park | Partial match (84 points)

The rumored details

The individual page on the National Haunted Map describes Midorigaoka Park as "a park and castle ruins in Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture," and states that "a male ghost appears" and "voices can be heard." The text describes the park as famous for its annual torchlight festival in November, and then mentions stories of a man groaning near the pond, a male ghost in the public restroom, and a samurai with a sword being seen. These are rumors presented by the source and do not represent any official recognition of paranormal activity by Sukagawa City.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The source of the rumor is the individual page for Midorigaoka Park on the National Haunted Map website, and it is a secondary source, not a primary source indicating the first appearance. The page was last updated on August 12, 2021, and this verification was done on October 4, 2026. The page also contains user comments, but it does not contain any independent documents that link the voices in the pond or the ghost in the toilet to official records.

• Nationwide Haunted Map | Midorigaoka Park(Confirmed on 2026-10-04) — "Midorioka Park is a haunted spot located in Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, which is also the site of a former castle." "A male ghost appears." "Voices can be heard." The text also mentions "a man's groaning near the pond" and "a male ghost in the public restroom."

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The official Sukagawa City "Midorioka Park" page describes Midorioka Park as a comprehensive park located in the city center, featuring a natural forest mainly composed of Japanese red pines, a plum grove, a northern lawn area, an observation deck, a children's play area, a new pond, and a museum. Its address is 5 Atagoyama, Sukagawa City, and the Google Maps coordinates can also be found on the page. There is a link to the Taimatsu Akashi festival as related information, but there are no records to corroborate the groans from the pond, the ghost in the public toilet, or the sighting of a samurai.

• Sukagawa City | Midorigaoka Park(Confirmed on 2026-10-04) — "Midorioka Park is located in the heart of the city. The park has varied terrain and, within a natural forest mainly composed of Japanese red pine (the city's official tree), there are various facilities including a plum grove, a northern lawn area, an observation deck, a children's play area, as well as a new pond and a museum. It is a lush green comprehensive park that is popular with many visitors." Location: "5 Atagoyama, Sukagawa City"

Points of agreement/contradictions

The source of the rumor describes Midorigaoka Park as a park and castle ruin in Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, and mentions groaning near the pond, a male ghost in the public restroom, and a samurai with a sword. The official Sukagawa City website provides information about Midorigaoka Park in the city center, including the pond, natural forest, observation deck, museum, and restrooms, and also indicates its location. The facilities and area match, but since the claims of groans and ghosts cannot be confirmed, it is judged as a partial match.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
A park in Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture	support	The official Sukagawa City website describes Midorigaoka Park as a park in the city center and lists its location as 5 Atagoyama, Sukagawa City, so the area and park in question can be confirmed.	Sukagawa City | Midorigaoka Park
A man's groans near the pond	Unconfirmed	The source of the rumor claims that a man's groans can be heard near the pond, but there are no records of sounds or sightings in the official facility guide of Sukagawa City, and it cannot be confirmed in independent sources.	No official data available for direct comparison.
A male ghost in a public restroom	Unconfirmed	The official website provides information about facilities such as toilets within the park, but it does not include specific claims or records of incidents where a male ghost is present in the public toilets.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

At Midorigaoka Park, around the pond, water surface, natural forest, walking paths, and restrooms, wind, water sounds, echoes, and eye adjustment to darkness can influence the perception of voices and presences. However, since we have not measured the acoustics, lighting, or weather conditions at the site, we cannot definitively say that the experiences described can be explained by natural phenomena.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

The scope of our verification is limited to the individual page for Midorigaoka Park on the National Haunted Map and the official facility guide of Sukagawa City. We have not checked recordings of voices mentioned in rumors, original eyewitness accounts, nighttime sounds around the pond and toilets, other documents detailing the origins of the festival, or accident/incident records. There are limitations in not judging the existence of the facility and the authenticity of the paranormal phenomena using the same sources.

Verification results: Partial match

The determination is a partial match. The official Sukagawa City website provides the name, location, and general facilities of Midorigaoka Park, such as the pond and natural forest, which correspond to the rumored park and area information. On the other hand, the groaning sounds from the pond, the ghost of a man in the public restroom, and the sighting of a samurai cannot be confirmed in the official records. Confirmation of park facilities was not used as proof of the paranormal activity, and only the supported location information was considered a partial match.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	27/30	You can obtain separate pages for detailed facilities in Sukagawa City and individual pages about rumors, allowing you to compare information about ponds and facilities with unconfirmed reports.
Historical and spatial context	19/25	The park's spatial context, including natural forests, ponds, Manyoshu poetry monuments, plazas, and museums, is concrete, but the origin history of the rumor requires separate sources.
Safety information	16/20	In addition to the location, facilities such as parking lots, restrooms, and open spaces that are helpful in deciding whether to use the facility are officially listed, but nighttime conditions are limited.
Newness of information	14/15	The official Sukagawa City website was last updated on March 31, 2026, and you can find the most recent updates for facility information at the three locations listed there.
Transparency of the source of rumors	8/10	Individual URLs and update dates are clearly stated, and the elements of the rumors are specific, but the original source, voice, or eyewitness accounts are not provided.
total	84/100	This is the overall quality of the materials. It does not represent the degree of truthfulness or danger associated with the supernatural phenomena.

Safety information and maps

The official Sukagawa City website provides information on the location of the comprehensive park, including the pond, restrooms, multiple open spaces, and parking. Please be careful of your footing near the water and playground equipment, especially in the dark. Avoid exploring at night, making noise, and entering restricted areas. Prioritize on-site signs and the latest information from Sukagawa City regarding usage conditions.

Check the area around Midorigaoka Park on Google Maps.

3rd Place: Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins (Kasumiga Castle Park) | Partial Match (79 points)

The rumored details

The individual page on the National Haunted Map introduces "Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins (Kasumigajo Park)" as a park and castle ruin in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, and states that "the ghost of a boy appears there." The historical explanation claims that Nihonmatsu Castle fell during the Boshin War, and also mentions the tragic story of the Nihonmatsu Boys' Corps and a story about dolls changing positions at a chrysanthemum doll exhibition even though no staff members moved them. In this article, we will clarify the terminology and refer to the subject as Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins (Kasumigajo Park). The paranormal explanations from the source will be treated separately from official recognitions.

Source of the rumor and date of verification

The source of the rumor is the individual page for Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins (Kasumigajo Park) on the National Haunted Map website, and it is a secondary source, not a primary source indicating the first appearance. The page was last updated on May 2, 2026, and this verification was done on October 4, 2026. The page mentions the ghost of a boy and the movement of chrysanthemum dolls, but no links to official eyewitness accounts or exhibition management records to corroborate these claims could be found.

• Nationwide Haunted Places Map | Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins (Kasumiga Castle Park)(Confirmed on 2026-10-04) — "Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins (Kasumigajo Park) is a haunted spot located in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, which is a park and castle ruin." "The ghost of a young boy appears there." "Nihonmatsu Castle is also known for hosting the Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll Exhibition in the autumn, but strange phenomena actually occur at this doll exhibition as well."

Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials

The official Nihonmatsu City "Nihonmatsu Castle (Kasumigajo)" page records that the castle was built over 10 years by Niwa Mitsushige, who was transferred from Shirakawa, that it fell during the Boshin War, and that the Minowa Gate was restored in 1982. The location is 3-chome, Kakuuchi, Nihonmatsu City, and the page also features a 350-year-old umbrella pine tree in Kasumigajo Park and a group of statues commemorating the Nihonmatsu Boys Corps who lost their young lives in the Boshin War. The notation "Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins (Kasumigajo Park)" in this article is a name that clarifies the difference between the rumored parenthetical notation and the official notation. There is no record of the boy's ghost or the phenomenon of chrysanthemum dolls moving on the official page.

• Nihonmatsu City | Nihonmatsu Castle (Kasumiga Castle)(Confirmed on 2026-10-04) — "Lord Niwa Mitsushige, who was transferred from Shirakawa, spent 10 years building this castle. It fell during the Boshin War, and the Minowa Gate was restored in 1982." Location: "3-chome, Kakuuchi, Nihonmatsu City." A group statue "to commemorate the Nihonmatsu Boys' Corps" is also shown.

Points of agreement/contradictions

The source of the rumor introduces the Nihonmatsu Castle ruins (Kasumigajo Park) as a park and castle ruin in Nihonmatsu City, listing stories of a boy's ghost, the castle's fall during the Boshin War, the Nihonmatsu Boys' Corps, and the relocation of chrysanthemum dolls. The official Nihonmatsu City website lists the location of Nihonmatsu Castle (Kasumigajo), its fall during the Boshin War, the restoration of the Minowa Gate, and the group statue of the Boys' Corps. The target area and the core of the castle's fall correspond, but since the boy's ghost and the relocation of the dolls cannot be confirmed, it is judged to be a partial match.

The rumored atomic claim	Matching results	reason	Corresponding documents
Parks and castle ruins in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture	support	The official Nihonmatsu City website provides information about Nihonmatsu Castle (Kasumiga Castle), listing its location as 3-chome, Kakuuchi, Nihonmatsu City. The castle and park are located in the same area as described in the source of the rumor.	Nihonmatsu City | Nihonmatsu Castle (Kasumiga Castle)
The castle fell during the Boshin War.	support	The claim of the castle's fall, as stated in the historical explanation of the source of the rumor, can also be confirmed by the official Nihonmatsu City website's entry stating "Fell during the Boshin War." However, the same page does not provide details such as who attacked.	Nihonmatsu City | Nihonmatsu Castle (Kasumiga Castle)
The ghost of a boy appears	Unconfirmed	The appearance of the boy's ghost is a claim made by the source of the rumor, but the group profile of the boy corps and the history of the castle described on the official page are not documents that record or confirm the appearance of the ghost.	No official data available for direct comparison.
The doll's location changes even though no staff member is moving it.	Unconfirmed	There is no record of the dolls in the chrysanthemum doll exhibition being moved on the official Nihonmatsu City website's castle and park information page, and we have not obtained any original records of exhibition management.	No official data available for direct comparison.

Alternative interpretation

The stone walls, gates, old pine trees, slopes, and exhibition environment of the Nihonmatsu Castle ruins (Kasumiga Castle Park) can change their impression of shadows and sounds depending on the season and lighting. Associations formed after learning the historical explanation may also influence the experience, but this is not based on on-site environmental measurements or management records of the doll exhibition.

Scope and limitations of the investigation

The sources I consulted were the individual page for Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins (Kasumigajo Park) on the National Haunted Map website and the official guide to Nihonmatsu Castle (Kasumigajo) from Nihonmatsu City. I did not check details of the castle's cultural property designation, other historical materials related to the Shonentai (boys' corps), exhibition management records for the chrysanthemum doll exhibition, original records of the boy's sighting, or nighttime environmental measurements. I made comparisons to the extent that I do not equate the history of the castle's fall with the paranormal claims.

Verification results: Partial match

The findings are partially consistent. The official Nihonmatsu City website lists the castle ruins/park, its location, and its fall during the Boshin War, which corresponds to the location of the rumor and the core of its history. On the other hand, the appearance of the boy's ghost and the movement of the chrysanthemum dolls cannot be confirmed in official documents. This is to avoid substituting the historically verifiable fall of the castle and the commemoration of the boy corps for proof of the existence of a supernatural boy.

Document Quality Score

Source transparency	26/30	You can cross-reference the official tourist information page for Nihonmatsu City with individual rumor pages, allowing you to track historical facts and unconfirmed anecdotes separately.
Historical and spatial context	21/25	The official historical and spatial information is the most specific, covering everything from the castle's construction, fall, and gate restoration to the umbrella pine tree and the statue of the Shonentai group.
Safety information	16/20	While the official information regarding free admission, location, and contact details for the tourism department is provided, details such as nighttime opening hours and specific slope conditions need to be confirmed on-site.
Newness of information	11/15	The rumor page was updated in May 2026, but the official municipal website was last updated in 2017, so the current facility conditions also need to be updated with the latest information.
Transparency of the source of rumors	5/10	Individual URLs, update dates, and descriptions of history and strange occurrences can be found, but there are no primary records of the boy's sighting or the doll's movement.
total	79/100	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 official Nihonmatsu City website provides information on free admission, location, and contact details for the tourism department. When approaching structures of the castle ruins such as stone walls, slopes, and gates, please check the signs and your footing, and avoid unauthorized entry at night, contact with exhibits or historical sites, and making noise. Please prioritize the latest management information regarding opening hours and entry conditions.

Check the area around Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins (Kasumiga Castle Park) on Google Maps.

What I learned by crossing locations

When examining the three locations in Fukushima Prefecture, the sources of the rumors all involve parks or castle ruins, and include supernatural claims such as the ghosts of men and boys, voices, and photographs. While local government records include the location and management office of Tsuruga Castle Park, the natural forest, pond, and facilities of Midorigaoka Park, and the construction, fall, and historical sites within Nihonmatsu Castle (Kasumiga Castle), they do not acknowledge any occurrences of paranormal phenomena. We have separated and organized the information based on the commonality that while some locations and historical details are correct, the supernatural claims remain unconfirmed, and the difference that only Nihonmatsu Castle's fall during the Boshin War is officially confirmed.

summary

What we were able to confirm is that the three locations are listed in local government documents as parks and castle ruins within Fukushima Prefecture, and that they correspond to some of the regional and subject information from the source of the rumors. At Tsuruga Castle Park and Midorigaoka Park, we could not confirm any claims of a male ghost, voices, paranormal photographs, or red skies in official documents. At Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins (Kasumiga Castle Park), the fall of the castle during the Boshin War is officially recorded, but there is no confirmation of a boy's ghost or the movement of chrysanthemum dolls. Therefore, for all three locations, we have determined that there is a partial agreement between the confirmed location/history and the unconfirmed paranormal phenomena.

FAQ

Does "partially matching" mean that the supernatural phenomenon is factual?

No. It means that some of the specific claims included in the rumors, such as names, locations, facilities, and history, corresponded with official documents. This does not mean that claims that cannot be confirmed by official documents, such as ghosts, voices, or paranormal photographs, are accepted.

Is it inconsistent if the supernatural phenomena aren't mentioned on the official page?

We do not consider something a discrepancy simply because it is not recorded. In this case, we treated the absence of records of supernatural occurrences as unconfirmed, and only the parts where official records and rumors directly corresponded to each other in terms of history were shown as matches.

Does the Google Maps coordinates provided guarantee safety?

We do not guarantee accuracy. The coordinates are for guiding you to the location of the park/castle ruins as confirmed in the article, and do not indicate nighttime usage conditions, traffic, ponds, elevation differences, or access restrictions. Please prioritize on-site signage and the latest information from the administrator.

Why are there both "Tsuruga" and "Kasumiga" spellings?

This is because the source of the rumor and the local government/map materials have different spellings and parentheses. The place names in this article are fixed in a way that allows for comparison between the candidate names and the official pages, and differences in spelling alone are not used as evidence of a strange occurrence or a different location.