darktourism

Dark Tourism in Japan

Welcome to the world of dark tourism, a world where the past meets the present, where fear meets curiosity, and memory becomes an eternal travel companion.

Dark tourism (also known as thanatourism) — this field, covers visits to places associated with tragedies, loss of life and destruction.

Dark tourism VS. Creepy and other tourism

Dark tourism

You're going to the place where the tragedy happened. You personally want to see its consequences and understand what kind of mark it has left on the culture.
Other tourism

You go on vacation, get to know the culture and visit interesting places or events. It can be an all-inclusive resort, or a more authentic place, such as a trip to Kenya to feel like at National Geographic.

JAPAN

When we think about Japan, we imagine not only modern technological advances, animation and manga, and their traditional food, but also their deep traditions related to the other world and death.

Some information about important and interesting places

The Fukushima

nuclear powerIn

In 2011, there was a triple nuclear explosion due to the tsunami and earthquake. It is considered the largest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. The station is closed to regular tourists, but there are specialized excursions. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to enter the "Red Zone" from 2023.

Hiroshima and Nagasakiм

The main attraction of Hiroshima is the dome of the atomic bomb. But to immerse yourself in history, you can visit the memorial museums and the Sakamoto International Cemetery.

Now we want to touch on the mystical part of Japan and immerse ourselves in creepy places popular with tourists

The Inunaki Tunnel

In 1988, 20-year-old Umeyama Kuichi was brutally murdered there. He was robbed, tortured, and burned alive by a group of teenagers. The criminals were arrested and given life sentences. After that, the tunnel was sealed, but its popularity as a place for tourists looking for horrors has only increased.

Yagima Bridge

Yagima Bridge is a place that attracts suicides,

causing passersby and motorists to get into accidents.

Due to the bridge's reputation, very few people

use the bus, which runs from morning to night.

People say that at night the bus ferries

souls to the other side. If the living get into it,

they will not be able to get out and will go

to the underworld

Saiko Waterfall

In the 16th century, one of the richest clans was the Takeda clan. During the defeat in one of the wars, the clan wanted to preserve their wealth, but feared that the prostitutes who worked for them might find out about the location of the gold. Then they built a platform over the river and invited women to dance there. The platform collapsed, and the women fell into the gorge. Currently, after dark, the screams of falling women can be heard here. Men are advised not to visit this place, as they may become victims of the revenge of the dead.

Sunshine 60

It is one of the most popular places in Tokyo.

Despite its name, the skyscraper was built on the site of Sugamo Prison. It is said that the name

means 60 executions that took place there,

and locals believe that the building

looks like a tombstone.

The Aokigahara Forest

is better known as the suicide forest. Historically, during periods of famine, people brought their family members to the forest, whom they could no longer feed and left them to starve to death. Since then, there has been a legend that this place is inhabited by ghosts who take away everyone who enters the forest. In Japanese mythology, it is said that Aokigahara is haunted by demons and that those who enter the forest never return. Due to the density of trees, many tourists really lose their way. Moreover, compasses and mobile phones often fell into disrepair due to the magnetic iron.

Сonclusion

Dark tourism in Japan is a unique phenomenon that not only fascinates travelers, but also serves as a means of understanding history, culture, and human nature. Dark tourism in Japan is not just a hobby, but a multi—layered experience that connects the past with the present, allowing us to take a fresh look at events that, although full of suffering, continue to shape our perception of the world.

Your guides in Dark Tourism

Сазанова Саша
Кретинина Полина
Хромова Аня

Ссылки на источнки

Dark Tourism: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

Are you a 'dark tourist'?

13 OF THE MOST HAUNTED PLACES IN JAPAN

Japan — the guide to dark