What are some Japanese words or phrases useful for telling a ghost story?

Well, phrases like 'Long ago' are good for setting a story in the past. 'As it turned out' is useful when you want to reveal something that wasn't expected before. Also, 'Out of nowhere' can add a sense of surprise to the events in your story. For example, in a mystery story, you can say 'Out of nowhere, a strange figure appeared.'

Well, phrases like 'Long ago' are great for starting stories that are set in the past. 'As it turned out' can be used when you want to reveal an unexpected outcome. 'In the middle of' is useful when you are describing an event that occurs during the course of the story.

Useful phrases include 'A sinister laugh cut through the stillness'. It creates a creepy atmosphere right away. Also, 'Her blood ran cold' which is a common but effective way to show sudden fear.

One useful idiom is 'Once in a blue moon'. It can be used to start a story about something that rarely happens. For example, 'Once in a blue moon, a strange man came to our small town.'

Well, expressions like 'One day' can be used to start a story in a simple and straightforward way. Then, 'meanwhile' can be great for introducing parallel events. 'As it turned out' is useful when you want to reveal a surprising outcome. Also, 'in the end' or 'at last' can bring the story to a close. These expressions make the story more engaging and easier to follow for the listener or reader.

The 'Problem - Solution' template is also great. First, present a problem that the protagonist faces. It could be something like a character needing to find a lost item. Then, show how they go about solving it. Maybe they search everywhere, ask people, and finally find it in an unexpected place. This template makes the story engaging as the audience is eager to know how the problem gets solved.

Be concise. Don't ramble on with unnecessary details. Focus on the key elements that drive the story forward. Also, use vivid language. Instead of just saying 'it was a big tree', say 'it was a gigantic, ancient oak tree with branches that seemed to touch the sky'. This makes the story more engaging for the listener or reader.

Phrases like 'Little did he know...' are great for creating suspense.

Another useful word is 'ludicrous'. It means something that is so absurd or ridiculous that it's laughable. For instance, if you describe a character's plan in a story as ludicrous, it immediately creates a sense of humor. Also, 'droll' which implies something that is quaintly humorous or comical in an odd way can be great for a funny story.

Words like 'mysterious', 'courageous', and 'delightful' are great for stories. Phrases such as 'deep in the forest', 'under the starlit sky', and 'on a stormy night' work well too. If you're writing a mystery story, 'mysterious' can set the mood right from the start. You could say 'On a stormy night, a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows of the deep forest.'