"Discover the spooky side of Japanese culture! Haunted Japanese Heritage blends creepy stories with fun and fascinating facts about Japan’s unique traditions."

Haunted Japanese Heritage

A group of eerie carp streamers float against a dark sky, with shadowy figures peeking from their hollow mouths — key visual for the horror short “When the Koinobori Moves” from A Haunted Kaidan Tale.
The Carp That Swims in the Sky

In Japan, there’s a seasonal tradition that colors the spring sky—koinobori, or carp st ...

Haunted Japanese Heritage

A dimly lit traditional Japanese setting featuring a wooden tray of roasted soybeans (fukumame) on a tatami mat. A red and black Oni mask sits beside the tray, casting eerie shadows in the moody lighting. Some soybeans are scattered around, adding a mysterious and unsettling atmosphere.

What is Setsubun?

Setsubun is an annual Japanese tradition observed on February 3rd. It marks the transition from wint ...

Haunted Japanese Heritage

An eerie traditional Japanese kitchen at night, featuring a clay pot (donabe) with bubbling black liquid, glowing herbs on a wooden table, and a shadowy figure visible outside the window under the moonlight.

What is Rice Porridge with Seven Herbs?

On January 7th, Japanese families traditionally eat nanakusa-gayu, or “rice po ...

Haunted Japanese Heritage

Two-tiered kagami mochi with a tangerine on top, placed on a wooden stand in a dimly lit Japanese room with glowing candles and shoji screens in the background.

The Ominous Legend Hidden in Kagami Mochi

Kagami mochi, the iconic decoration of the New Year in Japan, is a symbol of ...

Haunted Japanese Heritage

A traditional Japanese jubako (lacquered food box) with intricate floral patterns, designed as a three-tiered square box with the top lid slightly open, revealing a faint black shimmering liquid inside. The box is placed in a misty Japanese garden at night, surrounded by lanterns and a serene yet eerie atmosphere.

The Tradition of Osechi Ryori

When it comes to New Year’s in Japan, nothing embodies the holiday spirit quite li ...

Haunted Japanese Heritage

An ancient Japanese temple bell illuminated by red-tinted moonlight, hanging in a traditional bell tower with eerie shadows and mist in the background.

What Does the Joyanokane Really Mean?

On New Year’s Eve, the sound of temple bells—known as Joyanokane—rings out acros ...

Haunted Japanese Heritage

A beautifully decorated Japanese strawberry shortcake on a traditional dining table, surrounded by warm candlelight and festive Christmas decorations.

The Strange Tale of a Christmas Cake

When you think of Christmas in Japan, two things often come to mind: “KFC&# ...

Haunted Japanese Heritage

An eerie Japanese shrine surrounded by thick fog, featuring an ancient torii gate and dense forest in the background. A shadowy figure is faintly visible in the distance.

New Year’s Day and This Weird Shrine

You know how on New Year’s Day, people in Japan go to shrines or temples? It’s a ...

Haunted Japanese Heritage

"A traditional Japanese kadomatsu decoration placed symmetrically at the entrance of a traditional wooden house in a snowy landscape during New Year, featuring bamboo, pine, and red nandina berries."

Why Do We Display Kadomatsu?

Kadomatsu—those striking bamboo and pine decorations—are an iconic part of Japanese New Y ...

Haunted Japanese Heritage

A beautifully arranged bowl of Toshikoshi Soba (traditional Japanese New Year's Eve noodles) in a deep bowl, with steam rising, placed on a wooden table. The setting includes chopsticks and a small soy sauce dish, with a cozy midnight ambiance featuring faint light from a Japanese lantern and minimal tatami decor.

The Secret Meaning Behind Toshikoshi Soba

“Have you ever tried Toshikoshi Soba? You know, the soba noodles everyone ea ...