[2026 Latest] Top 10 Haunted Roads in Japan | Maximum Danger Level

Haunted roads across Japan—As night falls, inexplicable sounds break the silence, figures suddenly appear, and a chilling presence seems to recount past tragedies. These roads are not merely means of transportation; they are places that give rise to countless tales of the supernatural and stir people's fears. In this article, we have carefully selected 10 of the most feared haunted roads scattered throughout Japan and will introduce them in a ranking format, along with real-life experiences.

⚠️ Attention:Never enter private property or restricted areas. This does not endorse illegal activities.

TOC

🎬 Let's continue the horror experience with horror movies

If you're interested in the horrors of the haunted roads mentioned in this article, why not dive into the world of horror movies for an even deeper experience? Below are some recommended horror films.

  • The Ring series
  • The Ju-on series
  • Psycho
  • "exorcist"
  • Hereditary

1. Former National Route 45 (Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)

旧・国道45号線(宮城県石巻市)

The former National Route 45 in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, suffered immense damage from the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake. At night, there are constant reports of sightings of ghosts and the spirits of children. In particular, it is said that a sense of sadness and regret still lingers around the site of the former settlement.

  • Spirits of people who died in the tsunami
  • The sad crying of a child
  • A figure appears on a dark street.
  • Sudden cold air
  • Unexplained noises

"Several years after the earthquake, I visited the old National Route 45 in Ishinomaki City at night for a news report. It was a quiet, deserted road, but when I glanced out the car window, I saw faint figures walking towards me from the sea. At first, I thought I was seeing things, but as I got closer, the number of figures increased, and it was as if they were people who had been swept away by the tsunami wandering around. I got goosebumps."

📍 Check the location

⚠️ Attention:This area is still affected by the disaster. Please take all necessary safety precautions and avoid entering the area unnecessarily.


2. The tunnel with the headless rider (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture)

首なしライダーのいるトンネル(滋賀県大津市)

In this tunnel in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, there are rumors of a headless motorcyclist being sighted and the ghost of a motorcyclist who died in an accident wandering the area. Reports indicate that people passing through the tunnel may hear the sound of motorcycles or see white shadows.

  • The sound of a motorcycle engine echoes inside the tunnel.
  • The figure of a headless rider
  • The Appearance of a White Shadow
  • Sudden radio noise
  • A sudden drop in perceived temperature

"When I was driving through this tunnel late at night with a friend, we saw a motorcycle speeding towards us near the exit. But when we looked closer, the rider had no head, he looked like a ghost. I panicked and slammed on the accelerator, but then I heard a voice from the back seat saying, 'Help me...' and we all screamed."

📍 Check the location

⚠️ Attention:Visibility is poor inside tunnels, making them dangerous. Please drive with extreme caution.


3. Inunaki Pass (Miyawaka City and Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture)

犬鳴峠(福岡県宮若市・飯塚市)

Inunaki Pass in Fukuoka Prefecture was once famous as a haunted spot. Currently, a new tunnel has been built, and the old road is closed to traffic. However, legends persist that the old road is haunted by the ghosts of a woman and a blood-soaked man.

  • A female ghost appears on the old road.
  • The figure of a blood-soaked man
  • Sudden car stall
  • Eerie voice
  • A presence behind

"Out of curiosity, my friend and I ventured onto the closed-off old Inunaki Pass. As we drove along the road, we saw a blood-soaked man coming towards us from the darkness. Terrified, I backed the car up, but the tires got stuck in the mud and we couldn't move. All the while, the man slowly approached and started banging on the window. I frantically shook the car and managed to escape, but I'll never forget the look in that man's eyes."

📍 Check the location

⚠️ Attention:The old road is closed to traffic. Entry is extremely dangerous.


4. Old Amihari Road (Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture)

旧・網張(あみはり)街道(岩手県盛岡市)

The old Amihari Road in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, was once a bustling thoroughfare for travelers. Although now deserted, it is said that at night, the spirits of those who lost their lives along the road appear, filled with regret. These sightings are particularly frequent near old road markers.

  • The spirits of those who died on their journey
  • A figure appears near the signpost.
  • Sudden fog
  • Sobbing can be heard from afar.
  • Car lights malfunction

"When I was driving along the old Amihari Road with a friend, we stopped the car near a signpost at night. Suddenly, we saw several faint human figures around the signpost, and one of them seemed to be waving at us. At the same time, the inside of the car suddenly became cold, and we heard an incomprehensible voice on the radio. We immediately started the car again, but I still have a photo of that signpost displayed in my room."

📍 Check the location

⚠️ Attention:Visibility is poor at night and there are fewer oncoming vehicles, so please drive carefully.


5. Former Aokigahara Forest (Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture)

旧・青木ヶ原樹海(山梨県富士河口湖町)

This old road is adjacent to the Aokigahara forest, a place also known as a suicide spot. It is said that the spirits of people who have gotten lost there, and the lingering regrets of those who have committed suicide, hang over the area. There is also the terrifying feeling that if you get lost, you will never find your way back.

  • The spirits of people lost in the forest
  • The feelings of regret of those who committed suicide
  • The feeling of getting lost
  • Sudden silence
  • Eerie whispers

"My friend and I explored the old trails of Aokigahara Forest. Along the way, I felt like we were lost, and all the trees around us started to look the same. At that moment, I heard a voice from somewhere saying, 'You can't go back...' We desperately searched for the original path and managed to escape, but I still remember that feeling vividly."

📍 Check the location

⚠️ Attention:Aokigahara Forest is a place where it's easy to get lost, and accidents involving people getting lost are frequent. You should absolutely avoid entering alone.


6. The Haunted Tunnel (Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture)

幽霊トンネル(新潟県十日町市)

In this tunnel in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, there have been reports of car headlights going out, engines suddenly stalling, and sightings of female and child ghosts. Stories of a woman in red appearing near the tunnel's exit are also well-known.

  • Sudden failure of car headlights
  • Sudden engine stall
  • Sighting of a female ghost
  • Appearance of a child's spirit
  • Woman in red near the exit

"When I was driving through this tunnel at night with a friend, the engine suddenly stopped in the middle of the tunnel. I was paralyzed with fear in the pitch black. At that moment, I saw a child's face reflected in the car window, and then I saw a woman in a red dress standing towards the exit of the tunnel. After trying to restart the engine several times, it miraculously started, and we sped out of the tunnel."

📍 Check the location

⚠️ Attention:Visibility is poor inside tunnels, making them prone to vehicle breakdowns. Please take all necessary precautions before traveling through them.


7. Former Jigokudani (Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture)

旧・地獄谷(山形県山形市)

The former Jigokudani (Hell Valley) in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, was once a bustling hot spring resort town. Now a ruin, it is said that the spirits of those who lost their lives there appear at night, with many sightings of female ghosts in particular. Some people are terrified by the sight of them emerging from the darkness.

  • A female ghost appears in the ruins.
  • A figure emerges from the darkness
  • Sudden noise
  • cold wind
  • Eerie laughter

"My friend and I explored the abandoned former Jigokudani (Hell Valley). At night, we saw the ghosts of several women emerge from the ruined buildings and walk towards us. We were so terrified that we ran away, but then we heard sobbing coming from somewhere, and it sent chills down my spine. I can still remember the atmosphere of that place."

📍 Check the location

⚠️ Attention:The ruins are in danger of collapsing and are extremely dangerous. Please absolutely avoid entering.


8. The Mystery of Ichinokoshi (Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture)

一ノ越(いちのこし)の怪(富山県立山町)

Ichinokoshi is located on a mountain trail in the Tateyama mountain range. Legend says that a climber once lost their life here, and their spirit is said to wander the area. It is said that human voices and footsteps can sometimes be heard there during blizzards and bad weather.

  • The spirits of mountain climbers
  • Voices in the blizzard
  • footsteps
  • Sudden drop in temperature
  • Signs of disaster

"While climbing the Tateyama mountain range, the weather suddenly deteriorated near Ichinokoshi, and we were hit by a fierce blizzard. With visibility at zero, we could hear voices and footsteps from somewhere, and I had the feeling that someone was watching us. My climbing companions seemed to feel the same way. We made it down safely, but those voices still linger in my ears."

📍 Check the location

⚠️ Attention:The Tateyama mountain range experiences rapid weather changes and is extremely dangerous. Please ensure you have all the necessary climbing equipment and plan your trip carefully.


9. Former National Route 246 (Zama City and Ayase City, Kanagawa Prefecture)

旧・国道246号線(神奈川県座間市・綾瀬市)

The old National Route 246 in Zama and Ayase cities, Kanagawa Prefecture, was once a busy road. Now quieter due to the opening of a bypass, it is rumored that the spirits of people who died in accidents and the spirits of children appear there at night. Sightings are particularly frequent in areas with many curves.

  • The spirits of those who died in accidents
  • Child's spirit
  • Human figure on the curve
  • Sudden, suspicious behavior of the car
  • An eerie presence

"I was driving along this old National Route 246 in the middle of the night when, halfway around a curve, I suddenly saw a child sitting in the back seat. I slammed on the brakes and looked around, but there was no one there. However, the scent of a child lingered in the car. After that, I kept seeing glimpses of a figure every time I went around a curve, and I was so scared I couldn't concentrate on driving."

📍 Check the location

⚠️ Attention:Visibility is poor at night, and there are many curves, so please drive carefully.


10. The Ghost Tunnel (Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture)

幽霊トンネル(福井県越前町)

This tunnel in Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture, is known for the strange phenomena that occur inside it. Car lights flicker, engines stall, and there are even reports of human figures appearing on the tunnel walls. It's also famous as the site of past accidents.

  • Car lights flashing
  • Engine stop
  • A human figure appears on the tunnel wall
  • Sudden cold air
  • Female ghost

"When I was driving through this tunnel with a friend, the car's lights suddenly went out and the engine stopped as we approached the exit. In the pitch darkness, I could vaguely see a woman's face on the tunnel wall, and I screamed in terror. After trying to restart the engine several times, it miraculously started again, and we somehow managed to get out of the tunnel."

📍 Check the location

⚠️ Attention:Visibility is poor inside tunnels, making them places where car troubles are more likely to occur. Please drive safely.


summary

The haunted roads we've introduced here are all places where terrifying experiences are passed down through generations. When visiting these places, please be sure to avoid any reckless actions and prioritize your safety. And if you do have any strange experiences, keeping a record of them may also contribute to the transmission of these frightening legends.

Related articles

How to read this article and safety precautions

" [2026 Latest] Top 10 Haunted Roads in Japan | Maximum Danger Level This is an article compiled by the Horror Tales File editorial team as a story, based on publicly available information, rumors circulating in the community, and information submitted by readers. It does not definitively state the authenticity of paranormal phenomena.

  • We do not recommend visiting restricted areas, private property, abandoned buildings, or dangerous locations at night.
  • If you go to the site, always prioritize compliance with laws and regulations, instructions from facility managers, and consideration for nearby residents.
  • You can submit personal experiences, correction requests, and deletion requests through the "Personal Experiences/Information Submission" or "Contact Us" sections.

View editorial policy / Please share your experiences and information here. / inquiry

📊 How scary is this haunted spot?

Current average: ☆☆☆☆☆ (0) | Number of votes: 0

👻 Your reaction

📝 Share your experience

If you've had a scary experience at this spot, please share it (it will be published after review).

Let's share this post!

Author of this article

A horror information archive collecting and recording haunted places, scary stories, and urban legends from all over Japan. We bring you the darkness you've never seen before. Please rate your level of fear! We also welcome your personal experiences 👻

TOC