Haunted Kyoto, Japan

Haunted Kyoto, Japan
Paul Dale Roberts, HPI’s Esoteric Detective
Halo Paranormal Investigations
jazmaonline.boards.net/
Email: jazmaonline@gmail.com
Sacramento Paranormal Haunted Hotline: 916 203 7503

THE WAITING ROOM PODCAST:
www.youtube.com/@thewaitingroom-cl1uf

MY BOOKS:
www.lulu.com/spotlight/httpswwwlulucomspotlightjazmapika1

MY BIO:
jazmaonline.boards.net/thread/2495/paul-dale-roberts-biography-revised

MY MINI-BIO:
jazmaonline.boards.net/thread/3009/new-bio

PAUL’S EBOOKS:
jazmaonline.boards.net/thread/3222/pauls-books

My cousin Paul Leaird is a Vietnam veteran. He was with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. His highest rank was Master Sergeant. Before heading over to Vietnam, Paul was stationed for a while in Tokyo, Japan. Paul was dating a young Japanese woman named Keiko Kimura. Paul would simply call Keiko by her nickname “Kaye Kaye”. Kaye Kaye’s family lived in Kyoto. Kaye Kaye told my cousin that there were many spirits roaming the land in Kyoto. Kaye Kaye told Paul that the town of Kyoto is very haunted, because of its dark history. Let’s take a look at some of the haunted sites of Kyoto and try to understand why Kyoto has a reputation of being one of the most haunted areas in Japan.

Kiyotaki Tunnel:
A very haunted spot is the Kiyotaki Tunnel. This tunnel is rumored to be a site for a female ghost known as the (Leaping Femme Fatale) who jumps onto cars. There has been a couple of cases in which the Leaping Femme Fatale has caused accidents. Some drivers have seen this spirit in the backseat of their vehicle. One driver looked in his rearview mirror and saw this female spirit sitting in the backseat laughing hysterically. The tunnel is also haunted by the spirits of construction workers or people who died in the area. The tunnel was built in 1927 and is rumored to have been constructed by forced laborers who suffered many deaths due to dangerous working conditions. The land around the tunnel was reportedly an old battleground and is still known as a spot for suicides, adding to the area’s dark energy. Many people have reported seeing strange looking apparitions that are either walking around or floating around. Locals report seeing the spirits of those who died in the area, including a ghostly woman in white. Some claim she appears at the entrance to lure people in. The Tunnel Woman in White is known to cover your eyes with her hands, causing you to stumble around. Locals say this Tunnel Woman in White has bad intentions. Spirits are said to manipulate the single-lane tunnel’s lights, attempting to lure drivers into oncoming traffic. Visitors have reported hearing screams, feeling the car rock, and feeling nauseous while passing through. There are various warnings about mirrors, such as looking in a car’s rearview mirror being discouraged, as one might see a spirit. Some claim the tunnel’s length is 444 meters, an unlucky number in Japanese culture associated with death, a detail that adds to its sinister reputation.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest:
The bamboo forest is gorgeous during the day and becomes eerie at night. The rustling of the wind through the bamboo creates an eerie soundtrack that fuels the fear. Orbs are sometimes seen floating through the bamboo and locals believe that these orbs maybe spirits. Some locals have reported seeing strange lights through the cluster of bamboo. Strange screeching is sometimes heard during the night. There has not been any confirmed paranormal activity at this bamboo forest, but still some locals insist that this forest is haunted.

Toribeno Cemetery:
One of the oldest and largest burial grounds in Kyoto, is featured in ghost tours that explore the city’s macabre side. Emperor Kammu decreed in 794 that no burials should occur within the city proper, leading to the creation of these sepulchral zones which were considered taboo areas that people avoided. Japanese folklore holds that people who die with deep sorrow, anger, or without proper burial rituals can become yūrei, or ghosts. The countless individuals left unburied or in unmarked graves in Toribeno are believed to have left many such spirits behind. Even today, some people who visit or venture near the area report feelings of unease or claim to have captured unusual things in photos, such as orbs. The area’s spooky reputation is mentioned in classic Japanese literature like The Tale of Genji and The Pillow Book. Miyazu Soul Searchers (a Japanese ghost hunting group) claims they have captured up to 7 EVPs from this cemetery.

Midoro Pond:
A spirit of a young girl is believed to haunt this pond. The pond is known as one of Kyoto’s most haunted spots, despite its natural beauty. Many visitors find the pond eerie, with its still, swamp-like water and quiet surroundings, which some believe creates an atmosphere where something is “waiting” beneath the surface. A local once claimed she saw a hand reach out from underneath the water. Some visitors report hearing unexplained things or having unusual experiences at night, further contributing to its reputation. There are also local tales that the pond has long been a common place for suicides, which adds to its dark reputation. A hiker said that they saw a ghostly figure hanging from the tree. As they approached the hanging person, it faded away into nothingness.

Rokudo Chinnoji:
A “hell temple” known for its frightening depictions of the underworld and its connection to the Obon festival. The temple has two wells, with one in the back garden believed to be a portal to the underworld. Visitors have reported feelings of being watched, or the sighting of shadowy figures. The temple is also associated with the legend of Ono no Takamura, a poet who allegedly used the well to travel between the worlds and assist the King of Hell. Some locals believe this well to be a portal to other dimensions. Many visitors describe the temple as having an eerie or supernatural atmosphere, which is a large part of its cultural significance. One local says that sometimes the atmosphere feels very negative and you could cut it with a knife. The atmosphere at times can feel suffocating.