Japanese haunted towns are towns legendarily inhabited by ghosts (y?kai). These include Y?kai Street (officially known as J?kyo Street or Taish?gun shopping street), in Kyoto and the Y?kaichi of Shiga Prefecture.
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?bokey?kai village
?bokey?kai Village in the Tokushima Prefecture has developed a y?kai culture. Legend has it that y?kai inhabit the village. Some 15,000 people were identified as residents in the 1950s. However, reports regarding y?kai sightings and y?kai-related phenomena led to a mass exodus. In 2013, the village was home to only 4,000 permanent residents.
This village is said to be a birthplace of konakijij?, and is the source of many y?kai legends. To capitalize upon the interests of Japanese pop culture and as a sign of respect for their fellow y?kai residents, this village erected statues of y?kai and holds various "y?kai events" annually.
History
In 1998, locals began to investigate the village and uncovered its legend as a birthplace of konakijij? and y?kai. In 2001, they put up a statue of konakijij? and started a y?kai festival. In 2010, a rest area in this village was remade into a y?kai mansion and many statues of y?kai are displayed there.
Events and buildings
People in this village have held many events and built many structures. The biggest event is the Y?kai Festival held every year in November. Yokai night walks, a disguise contest, poster exhibitions, and guided tours are also held. In addition, there is a y?kai mansion as a roadside station, where legends about y?kai are displayed. Furthermore, many sculptures of y?kai stand in various places throughout the village.
Stories about Y?kai
In ?bokeyokai village, stories about y?kai have been handed down from generation to generation. For example, stories about konakijij?, hitotsumeny?d?, tengu, kappa (folklore), and so on. More than one hundred and fifty stories exist now. Ancient people scared children with stories of y?kai, to prevent them from doing dangerous things.
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Mizuki Shigeru Road, Sakaiminato
Mizuki Shigeru road is a street with many statues of y?kai in Sakaiminato, Tottori. Sakaiminato is the birthplace of Shigeru Mizuki, who is the author of GeGeGe no Kitar?, a famous Japanese comic. Mizuki Shigeru road has many statues of y?kai and facilities related to y?kai.
Attractions
Statues of y?kai, a memorial house, a shrine and many shops are on Mizuki Shigeru road. When the road was first built, 23 statues of y?kai were there, but by 2014, the number had risen to 153. Mizuki Shigeru kinenkan is a memorial house with exhibits of comics drawn by Mizuki, photos of his trips, an account of his history and many articles about y?kai. Y?kai jinja is a shrine founded to accommodate y?kai. The crest for the shrine symbolizes Chinese character 'kai'.
History
Mizuki Shigeru road had a history of 21 years as of 2014. Sakaiminato prospered by the marine products industry. To add culture, Mizuki Shigeru road was made in 1993. In 2000, y?kai jinja was founded on the road, and in 2003, Mizuki Shigeru kinenkan was made. In 2008 over 10 million people visited this road .
Events
Events include Sakaiminato sakana, a y?kai walk. Another event is GeGeGe no getatumi taikai, in which the participants compete by the number of Getas they amass. The higher-ranking prize winners receive a prize.
Y?kai Street, Kyoto
In Y?kai Street, many cute and humorous y?kai appear. Y?kai Street is at Taish?gun in Ky?to. This is a development project. Many y?kai dolls are displayed in storefronts. When events are held, many people participate.
History
Residents of Taish?gun began this project in 2005. The project derives from "Hyakki yagy?" in the Heian period. Hyakkiyak? is a parade of many y?kai, which is from old tools threw away. In the Heian period, people believed that if people threw tools using a long time,that the tools had souls, called Tsukumogami. It is said that this way of thinking celebrates the importance of using tools for a long time. These y?kai often appeared along Ichj? street. Now, in Taish?gun along Ichij? street, there is a small hall of y?kai. In the hall there, details explaining Hyakkiyak? and y?kai can be found.
Y?kai statues and y?kai food
Y?kai Street is usually quiet, but many kind of yokai welcome visitors. Various stores and handmade y?kai are placed in front of stores. In front of the bakery is "the old man of bread." In front of the kimono shop is a bakeneko dressed in a kimono. One local dish is Y?kai Ramen, a Chinese noodle soup. It is the black and powdered in red. In front of this restaurant is a one-eyed goblin. Other food served there is a y?kai croquette. The color is black and the inside is green. These foods are popular despite their strange appearance.
Events
At the Taish?gunhachi shrine on Y?kai Street, a Y?kai Free Market is held several times a year. This market is usually well attended and full of people buying and selling y?kai-related goods. Another event is "Ichij? Hyakkiyak?," a costume parade in which many people wear y?kai costumes and walk along Ichij? street at night.
Y?kaichi, Shiga
Y?kaichi city, which is in Shiga prefecture, has become prosperous by publicizing y?kai. Honaikai is an attempt to recover local history through events related to y?kai.
History
Y?kaichi, Shiga city, which is now Higashi?mi, Shiga city, was named in the Asuka period by Prince Sh?toku. The name Y?kaichi derives from the market which was held on days including 8 (8th, 18th, 28th) in Asuka period. Y?kaichi prospered as a market town and in 2005 merged with four other towns to form Higashi?mi, Shiga.
Development
Honaikai took a leading part in the development of y?kai culture in Y?kaichi city, starting in 1999. In 2002, "Honaikai" made the map of mysterious y?kai places for the first time. In 2007, Honaikai made a map called the "Prince Sh?toku series" which introduced twelve shrines and temples related to Prince Sh?toku. Seven maps related to raccoon dogs, foxes, and the legend of a long-nosed goblin were created. Honaikai especially focuses on Gao, a ghost that eats mischievous children. Members of Honaikai disguise themselves as Gao on February 3 and visit children.
Festivals
Festivals related to y?kai or the history of Y?kaichi are held there. "Y?kaichi ha Y?kaichi" is held mainly by "Honaikai" to inform people of the history and to advance y?kai culture. A parade with ghosts and a haunted house is held.
The "Y?kaichi Sh?toku Maturi" is a festival during which a night market is held and people enjoy dancing.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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