What is Hitokowa?
It’s a Japanese word and can also be separated into two independent words. Hito and Kowa.
Hito means people, and kowa means horror. So now you can guess what those two words mean when combined, right?
Hitokowa is a Japanese term to describe human-based horror stories. It means, you know, there are a bunch of scary supernatural things like ghosts, curses, etc. But look around you in daily life. People are as scary as the supernatural for sure.
Hitokowa stories focus on the darkness of humans that’s usually hidden under the face of ordinary people but comes out as psychological terror or social anxiety in the end.
Today, I will introduce Teru Teru Bozu, a doll with which people pray for good weather in Japan. A seemingly innocent work often created by a child, but only there could be dark mysteries hiding behind it… What is Teru Teru Bozu? Teru Teru Bozu (てるてる坊主) is a Japanese handmade doll, typically made of white […]
Teru Teru Bozu: Dark story behind the doll of good weather in Japan Read More »
Today, I will introduce Inunaki Tunnel, one of the most haunted tunnels in Japan. Do not approach that tunnel for fun without respect. You may be struck by an unexpected experience of horror… What is Inunaki Tunnel? Inunaki Tunnel (犬鳴トンネル), more precisely Old Inunaki Tunnel (旧犬鳴トンネル), is a tunnel that is located between Miyawaka City
Inunaki Tunnel: Haunted tunnel that brings a chain of misfortune Read More »
Today, I will introduce Inunaki Village, a hidden village that may be located somewhere in the Inunaki area of Fukuoka prefecture. If you happen to find the village, never set foot in it. Otherwise, you might be harmed by the villagers in their madness… What is Inunaki Village in Japanese Urban Legend? Inunaki Village (犬鳴村)
Inunaki Village: Hidden village where madmen lurk – Japanese Urban Legend/Creepypasta Read More »
Today, I will introduce Wara Ningyo, a Japanese straw doll which is often used to curse somebody you hate. If you see a straw doll nailed to a tree in a shrine, that could be the remains of a cursing ritual… What is Wara Ningyo In Japan? Wara Ningyo (藁人形) is the term for dolls
Wara Ningyo: Straw Dolls to Curse Your Target Read More »
Today, I will introduce Ushi no Toki Mairi (alternatively, Ushi no Koku Mairi), a Japanese ritual to perform a curse on someone. If you see a suspicious woman dressed in white at a shrine late at night, never approach her. Once she realises you’ve seen her, she might come after you to kill… What is
Ushi no Toki Mairi (Ushi no Koku Mairi): Japanese Curse Ritual by Shrine Visit Read More »
“Open up. Open it quickly.” “No, don’t ever go.”“Please don’t gooooo!” What happened on the way back home from the double date? Today, I will share a horror story featuring this scary experience. Double Date (Japan Makes Me Scared Podcast) Double Date Scary & Horror Story of the Kaidan (transcription) On the way back from
“Did you see any suspicious people or behaviour yesterday?”Well, I’ve got an idea of who it was, but I don’t want to testify to the police and be held up for hours. It should be fine if I just say nothing and leave it to the police—or is it not? Today, I will introduce one
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“I’m glad I worked so hard to come to the Goukon because I met such a nice guy!”But wait, is it really the first time we’ve met? Today, we will discover one of the best Hitokowa Kaidan from Shuhei Shimada. A Guy From Goukon (Japan Makes Me Scared Podcast) A Guy From Goukon Scary &
“Do you want some coffee?“There were several canned coffees on the table, but they all looked the same from the same brand. That was a bit strange… Today’s story is from Miki Daiun, who experienced this combination of true crime and Hitokowa (human-based horror). The Monk Who Survived (Japan Makes Me Scared Podcast) The monk
The monk who survived Read More »
“Promise?”“Yeah, promise.”What happened after that? Missing memory might be the key to solving the mystery… Today’s story will focus on a Kaidan of childhood memory. Old Memory (Japan Makes Me Scared Podcast) Old Memory Scary & Horror Story of the Kaidan (transcription) Introduction This story is originally from Hikaru Ijuin who is a famous comedian