Itinerary:
The tour begins today at Arashiyama Station, Kyoto: Our first stop will be at Kiyotaki Tunnel. Here, there have been decades of reports of paranormal activity in the tunnel. It has become a major interest and playground for ghost hunters and those fascinated with paranormal activity. There have been many unexplainable things that have happened in the tunnel including ghosts riding in the back seats of cars.
Other places of interest today include:
The Emperor Saga's Bloody Pond. Behind mausoleum of the Emperor Saga there is a pond. It is said that the water is red because it is the spot where the samurai's head fell after he was beheaded, the water has never returned to its original color.
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple: In addition to one of the city's most unique temples, here you'll have the chance to stroll through a bamboo forest as you make your way to a mass burial site. There are over 8,000 monuments marking the deceased, each grave is accompanied by a Buddha head. This is an off-the-beaten-path location situated on a hill overlooking the city.
The Cold Mountain (Death and Dread): The coldest, and arguably most creepy place in Japan this hill, apparently, has the most malevolent spirits of any forest. It is where an emperor, as well as an elite army, died and is a spot that sees very little visitors these days. There seems to be a significant drop in temperature as you place your first step into the forest - for this reason, we leave this spot as an optional endeavour for the first part of this tour.
On to the second part of today:
Akabashi Tunnel and Ochiai Bridge: Ochiai Bridge and Akabashi Tunnel have a dark reputation of suicides and mysterious sightings. The bridge connects the northern part of the tunnel to the opposite valley and the steep drop into the shallow river below is said to be a commonly-used means of committing suicide. The area is also known for mysterious disappearances of locals. Locals have claimed to see dark figures wandering or standing either side of the tunnel's entrances which disappear when approached. To add to this, it is said the area is used for sky burials (Tibetan funeral practice in which corpses are left atop mountains for wildlife and nature to use for sustenance) despite being illegal in Japan.
Sagano Haunted Mansion: Since the caretaker jumped to her death off of the 8th story or this 40-year-old building, it is said there has been paranormal activity ever since.
Railroad Crossing of Sagano-Nomiya: Since a heartbroken student jumped to her death in front of a train here, it has been said that couples that walk by here in the evening break-up or divorce. The scene here at night is particularly chilling.
End of Tour.
