Japan is a country with a rich cultural history, embellished through an extensive canon of folklore that ties in traditional spiritual beliefs and legends passed down and matured through generations. Japanese folklore is already full of tales of spirits and demons, but modern Japan has developed its own unique style of urban legend, which inspired horror movie classics like 'The Ring' (2002) and 'The Grudge' (2004). Stories of vengeful spirits lurking in everyday locations like school bathrooms and quiet train stations are part of the social education for most children growing up in Japan!
The scariest thing about many of these trippy tales is that they can be traced back to horrifying real-life events, such as deadly accidents and brutal murders. Naturally, you may be curious! Click through the following gallery for a rundown of the most terrifying urban legends to come from Japan.