English Version
Just west of central Tokyo, Mount Takao is known as an easy nature escape for hikers and travelers. But alongside its temples, trails, and mountain views, it also has a quieter reputation for unsettling stories.
Rumors connected to Mount Takao include the sound of children’s voices late at night, even when no children should be there. Some visitors claim that strange spirit photos can be taken on the mountain, with a person’s head or parts of their body appearing to vanish. There are also stories of people passing someone—or something—with the exact same face as themselves.
One possible source of these legends is said to date back to Japan’s Sengoku period. During Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s campaign against the Hojo clan, some accounts say fighting also took place around Mount Takao, resulting in many deaths. Whether this directly connects to the ghost stories is uncertain, but it remains part of the mountain’s darker folklore.
In more recent years, Mount Takao has also been associated with a number of suicides. In 2015, the body of a boy was found on the mountain, an incident that added to its grim reputation.
Mount Takao is located at 2176 Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo. It is a real and popular hiking destination, so visitors should stay on marked trails, avoid restricted areas, and use extra caution if visiting near dusk or after dark.
Japanese Language
夜中にいるはずのない子供の声が聞こえてくる、頭や身体の一部が消える心霊写真が撮れる、自分と同じ顔をした人（？）とすれ違う。などの噂があります。戦国時代の豊臣秀吉の北条攻めの際、高尾山でも戦闘が行われ、多数の死者が出たとの説があります。また、近年でも自殺者が多く、2015年には少年の遺体が高尾山で発見されるという事件もありました。東京都八王子市高尾町２１７６
