Legends in Japan

Discover 42 places to experience unusual legends in Japan.

Nekodan (Cat Stairway)

According to local legend, anyone who falls on these temple steps will turn into a cat.

Tōno City, Japan

Denderano

According to local legend, elderly villagers were once brought to this hill and left to die.

Hirosaki, Japan

Demon Oak Tree of Onizawa

A mountain demon once helped a local villager construct a canal, after which he sat on this oak tree to rest.

Shinodanomori Shrine

A mystical shrine dedicated to a forest that once covered the area and the legendary fox spirit who lived there.

Kuwabara Thunder Well

Electricians pray for luck at this place where, according to legend, the god of thunder was once trapped.

Tōno City, Japan

Kappabuchi Pool

Visitors are encouraged to fish for water goblins at this haunted pool.

Kashikobuchi Spider Stele

A long-forgotten homage to an eldritch, sassy spider yōkai that was once worshipped here as a god.

Inari Soba Mansei

This 400-year-old noodle joint was once frequented by a fox-turned-monk, according to local folklore.

Nihommatsu, Japan

Kurozuka (Black Tomb)

Local legend claims that this is the final resting place of an infamous cannibal hag.

Grave of Princess Centipede

Legend says that a swarm of centipedes and snakes once crawled out of the tomb of this cursed princess.

Yokohama, Japan

Odoriba Station

This subway station is named after a local legend about supernatural dancing cats.

Ichikawa, Japan

Tekona Reijindo

This one-of-a-kind shrine is dedicated to a girl who was too beautiful for her own good.

Hiratsuka, Japan

Chonmage-zuka

The burial site of 16 men’s hair buns, which were lopped off in place of their heads.

Ichikawa, Japan

Namida-ishi

A single block in this stone staircase to the temple is mysteriously always wet.

Grave of Hattori Hanzō

Here lies Hattori Hanzō, a samurai who is remembered as a legendary ninja in today’s popular culture.

Lake Imba Monster

Lake Imba Monster

The strange “kaiju” of Lake Imba that allegedly killed over a dozen men with a single strike of lightning.