Rumors about the forests and mountain paths of the Tokai region often mix specific claims with vivid descriptions, such as the names of former facilities, sightings at ponds, and strange occurrences involving cars at night. This study focuses on Hirako Forest, Mikaneyama Skyline, and Obata Green Space (main park) in Aichi Prefecture, directly examining external sources of rumors and comparing them with publicly available documents from the city and its administrators. The existence of these locations is not interpreted as proof of paranormal activity; rather, the document clearly indicates what could be confirmed and what remains unclear.
Survey methods and evaluation criteria
For each location, we directly obtained information from different external rumor pages and pages from local governments, road corporations, and park managers, and linked the confirmed representative coordinates to Google Maps. "Match" means all core claims are supported, "Partial Match" means a mix of supported and unconfirmed claims, "Discrepancy" means a direct contradiction, "Unmeasurable" means insufficient comparative data, and "New Fact" means obtaining important information not found in the rumor when a direct comparison is not possible. Discoveries do not overwrite existing comparative judgments. The ranking and 100-point scale are based on the quality of the data: source transparency 30, history/space 25, safety 20, novelty 15, and rumor source transparency 10, and do not represent the truthfulness of the fear or supernatural occurrences.
| Rank | point | The main points of the rumor | judgement | Document quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hirako Forest | A user-submitted paranormal information page describes Hirako Forest as containing "the former sites of a Nagoya city school and a nursing college," with parts of the buildings in ruins. It further states that "a male ghost appears"... | mismatch | 87/100 |
| 2 | Mikagane Mountain Skyline | An externally published account describes a visit to the Mikaganeyama Skyline late at night, where the traveler was told by a companion that "there are ruins of the Mikagane Teahouse and the ropeway." Near the building, "something clicked..." | unmeasurable | 80/100 |
| 3 | Obata Green Space (Main Park) | The external posting page lists various claims about Obata Ryokuchi (the main park), such as "I saw someone swimming in the pond while walking through the park at 2 AM," "Ghosts appear at Midorigaike Pond," and "You can take photos of ghosts there." Furthermore... | unmeasurable | 75/100 |
1st Place: Hirako no Mori | Mismatch (87 points)
The rumored details
The user-submitted paranormal information page describes Hirako Forest as having "the site of a former school and nursing college in Nagoya City," with parts of the buildings in ruins. It further states that "a male ghost appears there." Read the verifiable claims, such as the type of school, separately from the eyewitness accounts, which do not specify the date, time, or witnesses.
Source of the rumor and date of verification
The source of the rumor is an individual submission page on the external website "National Haunted Map." While there is a voting section for paranormal phenomena, the text does not provide original sources or dated primary testimonies regarding the name of the former facility or the male ghost. It is treated as an example of secondary publication.
- Nationwide Haunted Map: Hirako's Forest(Confirmed on 2026-09-27) — Paranormal phenomena rumored to be occurring in Hirako Forest
A male ghost appears
This area includes the former sites of schools and nursing colleges in Nagoya City, and there are many of those buildings that have become ruins.
Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials
Owariasahi City explains that Hirako no Mori is the common name for "City-owned land in Hirako-cho Kita," and clarifies that it consists of approximately 15.2 hectares of forest and the former sites of Nagoya Municipal Junior College of Childcare, Nagoya Municipal Midorigaoka Elementary and Junior High School, Wakamatsu Dormitory, and the former school lunch center. The official school type is confirmed as "Junior College of Childcare," not "Junior College of Nursing." Owariasahi City began soliciting proposals for the sale of the entire city-owned land in Hirako-cho Kita on August 24, 2026, and is seeking proposals for industrial use.
- City-owned land in Kita-cho, Hirako-machi, Owariasahi City(Confirmed on 2026-09-27) — "Hirako-cho Kita-chi Municipal Land" is a municipal land area of approximately 15.2 hectares (about the size of three Vantelin Dome Nagoya stadiums) located on a hilly area in the northwestern part of the city, consisting of a vast forest and the former sites of Nagoya Municipal Junior College of Childcare, Nagoya City Wakamatsu Dormitory, Nagoya Municipal Midorigaoka Elementary and Junior High School, and Nagoya City School Lunch Center.
- Public offering for sale of municipal land in Hirako-cho Kita, Owariasahi City.(Confirmed on September 27, 2026) — In order to create new industrial vitality (industrial utilization) through the sale of the entire area of city-owned land in Kitachi, Hirako-cho, we will be soliciting business proposals through a public proposal process starting on Monday, August 24, 2026, and will select the preferred negotiating partner by February of the following year.
Points of agreement/contradictions
The rumored element of "a school in Nagoya City" is consistent with the city's description of the former Nagoya Municipal Midorigaoka Elementary and Junior High School. On the other hand, the rumored "nursing junior college" is a different school type from the former Nagoya Municipal Childcare Junior College listed by the city. The appearance of the male ghost cannot be compared with the city's land and facility records, and correcting the school name does not extend to denying the entire supernatural phenomenon.
| The rumored atomic claim | Matching results | reason | Corresponding documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schools in Nagoya City | support | The city lists the former site of Nagoya Municipal Midorigaoka Elementary and Junior High School as a component, supporting the claim that a school once stood there. | City-owned land in Kita-cho, Hirako-machi, Owariasahi City |
| Former site of a nursing junior college | contradiction | The city has clearly identified the former junior college on the site as "Former Nagoya Municipal Junior College of Childcare," which is not directly related to the rumored nursing junior college. | City-owned land in Kita-cho, Hirako-machi, Owariasahi City |
| A male ghost appears | Unconfirmed | The date and time of the incident, witnesses, and observation records were not provided to the source of the rumor, making it impossible to directly compare the presence or absence of the phenomenon with the city's land records. | No official data available for direct comparison. |
Alternative interpretation
It's possible that a mix-up regarding the specialized fields of study at the junior college got mixed into the description of the site. However, it's unclear whether the poster was referring to a different facility, and the source of the error cannot be traced. Furthermore, the impression of the forest and the disused buildings alone cannot be used to determine the cause of the eyewitness account.
Scope and limitations of the investigation
The comparison was made between the posted page and the city's land overview and public offering documents; interviews with the poster, physical copies of the old facility ledger, and records of phenomena with dates and times were not examined. While the city's documents are strong for comparing school types and land use, they are not materials for verifying individual experiences at night.
Verification result: Mismatch
While some city records confirm the existence of a former school, the city records the junior college rumored to be a "nursing junior college" as the "former Nagoya Municipal Childcare Junior College," directly contradicting the nature of the facility, hence the discrepancy. The male ghost remains unverified, and the public offering for sale is included not as evidence of a supernatural occurrence, but as new information regarding its usage.
Document Quality Score
| Source transparency | 28/30 | The former facility name in the post can be cross-referenced separately with the city's land overview and the public offering for sale, allowing even discrepancies in school type to be tracked. |
|---|---|---|
| Historical and spatial context | 23/25 | The composition of the city-owned land, the approximately 15.2 hectares of hilly area, and the official names of the former school complex can be confirmed in the city's records. |
| Safety information | 16/20 | This area includes city-owned land and former buildings, so current management guidelines should take precedence over speculation regarding access. |
| Newness of information | 14/15 | While the progress of land use was confirmed on the public offering page updated in September 2026, the phenomenon of posts does not have a date. |
| Transparency of the source of rumors | 6/10 | While the page containing the rumors is directly accessible, the original sources for the male ghost, the former facility name, and the poster are not clearly indicated. |
| total | 87/100 | 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
Access to city-owned land and former facilities is restricted to those areas, following on-site management guidelines. Unauthorized entry into buildings and nighttime exploration are prohibited. Since usage conditions may change as the public bidding process progresses, please refer to the latest information from the city.
Map location: Representative coordinates from the location map embedded on the official Owariasahi City website. Individual former buildings or sighting locations are not shown.
2nd Place: Mikaganeyama Skyline | Unmeasurable (80 points)
The rumored details
The previously published account describes a visit to the Mikaganeyama Skyline late at night, where the author says they heard from a companion that "there are ruins of the Mikagane Teahouse and a ropeway." They also mention hearing "the sound of something falling" near the building and that "the engine stopped" while turning around on a slope. Do not confuse the author's personal experience with the history of the facilities.
Source of the rumor and date of verification
The source of the rumor is a first-person account published in "The Complete Guide to Haunted Places in Japan" in 2015. Since the date, time, vehicle maintenance records, sound recordings, and official history of the former facility are not presented in the text, it should be treated as a published testimony rather than an independently confirmed incident record.
- The Complete Guide to Haunted Places in Japan: Mikane Chaya and the Ropeway(Confirmed on 2026-09-27) — It was said that there are ruins of the Mikane Teahouse and the ropeway.
I also went along with the flow at the time,
I blurted out, "Let's go!"
When we actually headed towards Mikane, there were few streetlights.
I drove along the winding Mikaganeyama Skyline for a long time.
Even though we hadn't reached Mikane yet, I felt a strange sense of unease and unease.
I was going there with the music blasting, trying to get rid of those feelings.
At that moment!!
My friend said, "This is it!! This is it!! A ruin!!"
That's what he said. A really unpleasant atmosphere hung in the air, and it gave me the creeps.
The windows were broken, there was graffiti that I couldn't quite make out, and trash was scattered everywhere.
Still, my friend insisted we go, so I reluctantly went along.
When I got out of the car, it was pitch black.
Step by step, the footsteps heading towards the ruins
Even though it was so close, time seemed to move incredibly slowly.
Upon closer inspection, I saw traces that looked like bloodstains and something resembling a bladed weapon.
The shattered glass was simply terrifying.
"Let's go back to the car!" we both exclaimed, and rushed into the vehicle.
Huh? Something just fell, didn't it?!
I heard something clatter down.
There shouldn't be anyone here, right?
We both told ourselves, "It's just our imagination!" and left the place.
My motivation was unstoppable.
After driving for a while, we came to a hill.
My friend seemed to have taken a wrong turn and said he wanted to make a U-turn.
I was making a U-turn when the engine stopped.
Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials
The Aichi Prefectural Road Corporation promotes the Mikaganeyama Skyline as a 5.1-kilometer toll drive from Higashihazu-cho in Nishio City to Katahara Onsen in Gamagori City. It runs along the ridge, offering views of Mikawa Bay from the mountaintop parking lot. Current regular operating hours are 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM year-round, with special hours during the New Year's holiday period. This information reflects the current route and usage conditions, but does not retrospectively verify the experience times or locations of former facilities as published in 2015.
- Aichi Prefectural Road Corporation - Mikaneyama Skyline(Confirmed on 2026-09-27) — A 5.1 km driveway from Higashihazu-cho, Nishio City to Katahara Onsen (Gamagori City)
From the route that runs along a ridge at an altitude of approximately 300m, you can enjoy panoramic views of Mikawa Bay, Gamagori city, and the Atsumi Peninsula. On clear days, you can even see Irago Cape, Toba, and Nagoya city.
Mikaganeyama Skyline Photo Contest 2025 - Grand Prize Winner
Beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons
The railway line is adorned with flowers of all seasons, and is affectionately known as the "Hydrangea Line" when daffodils bloom in early spring and approximately 70,000 hydrangeas bloom in early summer.
Especially during the hydrangea season in June, the panoramic view of Mikawa Bay combined with the vibrant flowers captivates many visitors. Hydrangea festivals are held in various locations, including Mikaganeyama, making it a representative seasonal attraction.
Three winning entries from the Mikaganeyama Skyline Photo Contest 2025.
From the mountaintop parking lot, you can enjoy not only magnificent daytime views, but also beautiful sunsets and nighttime scenery on clear days.
We will be open for special hours during the New Year's holiday period. You can watch the first sunrise of the year from the mountaintop parking lot. It's a special moment to feel the start of a new year along with a magnificent panoramic view of Mikawa Bay.
Special New Year's holiday hours: December 31st, 23:00 - January 1st, 8:00
(Regular business hours: Year-round 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
Points of agreement/contradictions
The public corporation's documents allowed us to confirm the road section and current operating hours. However, we could not find any management records documenting the same incidents regarding the rumored condition of the old teahouse and ropeway, the sound of falling objects, and the engine stoppage. We will not use the current normal operating hours of 8:00 to 20:00 as immediate refutation of past anecdotes whose timing and routes cannot be specified.
| The rumored atomic claim | Matching results | reason | Corresponding documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| There are ruins of the Mikane Teahouse and the ropeway. | Unconfirmed | The current route guide provided by the road authority does not contain any records directly indicating the closure of the old facilities or the condition of the buildings, making it impossible to independently verify the current state of the facilities. | No official data available for direct comparison. |
| The sound of something falling with a clunk. | Unconfirmed | The recording, time of occurrence, and identification of the object are not provided, making it impossible to verify the occurrence of individual sounds in the public corporation's route information. | No official data available for direct comparison. |
| The engine stopped | Unconfirmed | Without vehicle inspection records or traffic records for that day, it is impossible to determine the cause of the stoppage based solely on the existence and gradient of the road. | No official data available for direct comparison. |
Alternative interpretation
Vehicle behavior on inclines can be influenced by road gradient, operation, and mechanical factors, while sounds near buildings could be caused by falling objects or wind. However, since the actual vehicle, vehicle records, and audio recordings have not been examined, these remain hypotheses, and no specific cause can be definitively stated.
Scope and limitations of the investigation
The information obtained consists of published personal accounts and current road corporation information; registration and closure records of former facilities, traffic records for the day, and vehicle inspection records have not been verified. The map shows representative points along the approximately 5.1-kilometer route and does not identify abandoned facilities or the source of the noise.
Verification result: Unmeasurable
The core of the rumors—the ruins of the teahouse and ropeway, the noises, and the engine stoppage—lacks independent records, making measurement impossible. The existence of the road and current operating hours are merely confirmations of geographical and usage conditions, and do not support or refute individual experiences. While we re-examined the specific claims we had already obtained, none remained that could be directly compared.
Document Quality Score
| Source transparency | 24/30 | While it's possible to separate first-person rumor pages from the road authority's route descriptions, there are no primary records of old facilities or vehicles. |
|---|---|---|
| Historical and spatial context | 18/25 | The 5.1-kilometer section of the corporation's route and the topography along the ridge are certain, but the history of the old teahouse cannot be confirmed at this time. |
| Safety information | 20/20 | The public corporation can clearly indicate its regular business hours and special hours during the year-end and New Year holidays, and advise against exploring late at night. |
| Newness of information | 13/15 | While current information from the public corporation was reviewed, the road operations and facility conditions at the time of the 2015 testimony were not retrospectively confirmed. |
| Transparency of the source of rumors | 5/10 | The rumor is specific and written in the first person, but the source does not have any recordings, vehicle records, or third-party testimonies from that day. |
| total | 80/100 | 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 current normal operating hours of the road authority are from 8:00 to 20:00. Do not enter during the nighttime closure hours, and follow traffic regulations and on-site signs when stopping or turning around. Do not enter areas considered to be old buildings, and check the latest information from the authority before passing through.
Map location: The representative point of the road section on the Nishio City side, which is shown as the Mikaganeyama Skyline on public maps. This is not the location of the former facility.
3rd Place: Obata Ryokuchi (Main Park) | Unmeasurable (75 points)
The rumored details
The external posting page lists various claims about Obata Ryokuchi (the main park), such as "I saw someone swimming in the pond while walking through the park at 2 a.m.," "Ghosts appear at Midorigaike Pond," and "You can take photos of ghosts there." Furthermore, the same page also lists rumors of a battle, such as "Someone who fled from Nagakute during the battle was killed by robbers," and states that "There is a memorial tower for those who died for their country, so it is dangerous." The page treats the pond, people, photos, historical events, and monuments as separate claims and does not acknowledge their existence or the occurrence of events based solely on the postings.
Source of the rumor and date of verification
The source of the rumor is a separate page on the "National Ghost Map," where several short stories are listed without any clear attribution. The original testimony of the person who claimed to have seen something at the pond, the date and time of the photograph, the original image, and any identification of the object of the sighting are not provided. This was confirmed as an example of secondary publication with an unknown first appearance.
- Nationwide Haunted Map - Obata Green Park (Main Park)(Confirmed on 2026-09-27) — I saw someone swimming in the pond while taking a walk in the park at 2 AM.
Long ago, a man who fled from Nagakute during a battle was killed by a robber.
There is a memorial tower for those who died for their country, which is dangerous.
Midorigaike Pond is haunted.
You can take photos of ghosts.
There are stories like these.
Things that could be confirmed from official and primary source materials
The management office of Obata Green Space explains that it is a prefectural green space consisting of four areas: the main park, the west park, the east park, and the central park, and introduces the trees and waterside nature. Midorigaike Pond, which belongs to Obata Green Space (main park), is about 1.2 kilometers in circumference and can be walked around, and the manager explains that it is a pond visited by waterfowl. The manager publishes a park map and facility guide, but these are not documents that confirm the rumors of nighttime swimmers, ghosts, or photographic results.
- Obata Green Space Management Office / Park Information(Confirmed on 2026-09-27) — Obata Green Space is located in the city and is an integrated green space consisting of four areas: the main park, the west park, the east park, and the central park.
- Obata Green Space Management Office / Midorigaike Pond (Main Park)(Confirmed on 2026-09-27) — Midorigaike (Main Park)
It's a pond with a circumference of about 1.2 km.
The pond is frequently visited by waterfowl and other birds, and you can see different kinds of wild birds depending on the season.
Points of agreement/contradictions
While it is true that a pond called "Midori-ga-ike" is listed in the administrator's records, the mere existence of the pond does not support the claim that "ghosts appear there." The account of seeing someone swimming in the pond at night lacks a separate record with a date and time, and the photograph lacks the original image and conditions of its shooting. Regarding the claims of the killing of people who fled the battle and the "Memorial Tower for Martyrs," the park and pond guide obtained from the administrator does not contain any mention of the incident or monument, nor does it serve as evidence to definitively conclude that they do not exist.
| The rumored atomic claim | Matching results | reason | Corresponding documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| I saw people swimming in the pond. | Unconfirmed | The original testimony and dated eyewitness accounts of the posts are not provided, and individual swimmers cannot be identified from the facility guide provided by the administrator of the pond. | No official data available for direct comparison. |
| Midorigaike Pond is haunted. | Unconfirmed | The administrator's explanation of the pond's existence and the waterfowl does neither support nor refute the other claim of a spirit's appearance. | No official data available for direct comparison. |
| You can take photos of ghosts. | Unconfirmed | The original photographs, shooting conditions, and independent verification are not included, making it impossible to determine the nature of the images based solely on the administrator's facility guide. | No official data available for direct comparison. |
| Long ago, a man who fled from Nagakute during a battle was killed by a robber. | Unconfirmed | The park administrator's guide to the park and ponds did not provide information on the date, time, individuals involved, or historical sources for this murder, and the materials obtained this time do not allow for independent confirmation of it as a historical event. | No official data available for direct comparison. |
| There is a memorial tower for those who died for their country, which is dangerous. | Unconfirmed | The garden and pond guide obtained from the administrator does not indicate any monument or danger of this name, nor have we found any installation records that support or deny its existence. | No official data available for direct comparison. |
Alternative interpretation
While reflections on the water's surface and waterfowl can be easily mistaken for something else in a dark pond, the lack of information about the weather that night, the viewpoint, and the original photograph makes it difficult to justify accepting that explanation. The administrator's mention of waterfowl should not be used to conclude that individual sightings were indeed of waterfowl.
Scope and limitations of the investigation
The only comparative materials available are the posting page and the administrator's guide to the green space and Midorigaike Pond. Nighttime footage of the pond, reports of swimmers, original photographs, historical materials related to the battle, and the register of monument installations have not been checked. The mere absence of information in the park guide does not prove the absence of old incidents or monuments.
Verification result: Unmeasurable
While the pond can be confirmed as the setting, no independent records corresponding to the rumored claims of nighttime sightings, ghost appearances, the existence of spirit photographs, killings related to the battle, or the existence and danger of the monument were obtained this time, and therefore deemed immeasurable. The mere coincidence of location does not constitute a partial coincidence. Even after re-examining the specific assertions in the previously obtained posts, the administrator's park and pond guide does not provide direct support or counter-evidence.
Document Quality Score
| Source transparency | 25/30 | By directly obtaining information from the individual pages of the rumors and the park administrator's documents regarding the park and its pond, we can differentiate the scope of claims made by both parties. |
|---|---|---|
| Historical and spatial context | 16/25 | While the layout of the facilities at the main park and Midorigaike can be confirmed, there is little evidence to support the nighttime sightings and past accounts mentioned in the post. |
| Safety information | 17/20 | Visitors can refer to the park manager's guide, and approaching the pond at night or exploring the dangerous waterside is not recommended. |
| Newness of information | 12/15 | The administrator's public announcement is still in effect, but rumors don't mention when the photos were taken or when the original images were released. |
| Transparency of the source of rumors | 5/10 | The post lists several rumors in detail, but the original source and eyewitness accounts are unclear. |
| total | 75/100 | 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
Do not get too close to the pond, and do not try to verify the rumors by exploring the waterfront or swimming at night. Prioritize the park manager's map and on-site usage information, and do not enter areas with traffic restrictions or entry restrictions.
Map location: Representative coordinates of the park area indicated as Obata Ryokuchi Main Park on the publicly available map. This does not identify the exact location of the sighting at the pond.
Check the area around Obata Ryokuchi (main park) on Google Maps.
What I learned by crossing locations
All three locations are surrounded by forests, but the objects that can be examined through documentation differ. At Hirako Forest, the city provided the official school type of the former junior college, which contradicted the rumored name. At Mikaganeyama Skyline, even though the public corporation explained the current route and operating hours, it was impossible to determine past vehicle experiences by tracing them back. The manager of Obata Green Space (the main park) confirmed the pond, but did not confirm nighttime sightings. Separating location identification from supporting experience is crucial to the comparison.
summary
What we were able to confirm was the former facility configuration and public offering for sale of Hirako no Mori, the route and current usage conditions of the Mikaganeyama Skyline, the management of Obata Ryokuchi (main park), and the existence of Midorigaike Pond. In Hirako no Mori, the rumored "nursing junior college" and the city's "childcare junior college" directly contradict each other. In addition to sounds, vehicles, and nighttime sightings/photographs at the other two locations, the battle story and claims of monuments at Obata Ryokuchi were deemed impossible to measure with the current materials. We will only review our assessment when the sources or on-site conditions are updated, and we will prioritize access restrictions and guidance from the administrators.
FAQ
Does the inconsistency mean that all the strange occurrences at that location are just made up stories?
No. The discrepancy in Hirako Forest concerns the type of junior college mentioned in the rumors. The other claim about a male spirit cannot be compared with independent sources, and correcting the school name does not extend to a definitive conclusion about the entire phenomenon.
If it's impossible to measure, can I confirm it by going to the rumored location?
No. This is a judgment that there is insufficient information, and it is not a recommendation to explore the site. Please follow the public corporation's operating hours, park usage guidelines, and the management conditions of the city-owned land, and do not approach the old building or the waterfront at night without permission.
Is the ranking of document quality a ranking of the veracity of the paranormal phenomena?
That's incorrect. The ranking is based on an editorial assessment comparing factors such as the transparency of the rumor source, the completeness of the administrator's documentation, and safety information, all on a scale of 100 points. A high score does not prove any paranormal activity; please read the individual claims and unconfirmed details for each location.
How to read this article and safety precautions
" [2026 Latest] Top 3 Ranking of Ghostly Rumors in the Forests and Aokigahara Areas of Tokai 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.
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