What are some creepy Japanese ghost stories?

The simple art style of Yamishibai contributes to the creepiness. The limited color palette and somewhat crude drawings give an otherworldly feel. It's like looking at something that exists in a nightmare realm.

Sure. A popular one is the Kuchisake - Onna. She is a female spirit with a slit mouth. She wears a surgical mask and asks people if they think she is pretty. If you answer no, she'll kill you. If you answer yes, she'll cut your mouth to look like hers.

There's a tale of a ghost that appears on a lonely road at night. Drivers who encounter it have strange accidents or lose their memories. It's said to be the spirit of a victim seeking revenge.

One creepy hospital ghost story is about a nurse who always hears the sound of a child crying in an empty pediatric ward at night. She would search every corner but find no one. It is said that a long time ago, a sick child passed away in that ward sadly, and its spirit has lingered ever since.

One story is about a person who kept getting mysterious texts on WhatsApp from an unknown number, and they turned out to be from a ghost.

One well - known Japanese scissor ghost story is about a vengeful spirit that wields a pair of large, sharp scissors. The ghost is often said to haunt old houses or places where a tragic event occurred. It is believed to use the scissors to cut the hair of its victims as a form of torture or warning.

A sense of unease and a feeling of being watched are key factors. For example, in some stories, people feel a cold presence following them. It's not just about seeing a ghostly figure, but also that lingering feeling that something is not right. It could be a sudden drop in temperature in a room where no one else is around, or a feeling of dread that overcomes you for no apparent reason. This makes the story more than just a spooky tale, but something that can really get under your skin.

One common element is the presence of strange noises. In many of these stories, like the haunted house ones, you'll hear creaking doors, unexplained bangs, or whispers. Another element is the appearance of apparitions. Whether it's a ghostly figure in white or a shadowy form. And then there's the feeling of being watched. People in these stories often describe an intense sense of being observed by something unseen.

One creepy story is about a person who used a ghost radar in an old, abandoned house. The radar showed strange spikes near a locked attic door. When they finally got the door open, they felt a sudden cold chill and heard what sounded like faint whispers. It was really spooky.

The story of 'Bloody Mary' is also well - known among kids. The idea is that if you stand in a dark bathroom, say 'Bloody Mary' three times in front of a mirror, a ghostly figure might appear. It gives kids a spooky feeling as it involves the mystery of the mirror and the unknown apparition that could potentially show up.