17 Japanese Urban Legends That'll Scare The Shit Out Of You

The legend: A woman was mutilated by her husband and returned as a pissed-off spirit. She’ll ask if you think she’s pretty, and no matter what you say, she’ll cut your face with scissors. Count me out.

NOPE rating (out of five): 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱

—Daniel Richards, Facebook

The legend: A girl who slipped in a bathtub and gouged her eye out can be summoned in your bathroom and will follow you around the entire day. If she catches you, you’re done for. So, don't make friends in the bathroom, okay?

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱

—jesstsunami

The legend: If you knock three times on the third bathroom stall and ask if she's there, her hand will appear from behind the door — and sometimes it's bloody. No, thanks! I'll just pee outside forever.

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱

—seann11

The legend: She's a horrifying monster who shape-shifts into an old woman to put everyone around her at ease. AND THEN SHE COOKS AND EATS THEM. WTF?

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱

—kareng4

The legend: A Japanese lady was sliced in half after falling onto railroad tracks. Her top half now runs around very quickly, using her hands as legs — and if she catches up with you, she’ll slice you in half. NOPE.

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱

—ilovepewds539

The legend: The length of this tunnel in Japan is said to vary, depending on the time of day. There's a mirror inside, and if you look at it and see a ghost, you'll suffer until your ultimate demise.

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱

—Mallory Amanda, Facebook

The legend: It's a demon who roams your bathroom in the pitch black and will grab your feet with its mouth. Would you want a slimy red tongue brushing your toes while you poop? Didn't think so, pals.

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱

—Star Bright, Facebook

The legend: It's an internet pop-up accompanied with a cute little voice that asks, "Do you like the red room?" over and over. If you see this pop-up, you will soon be found dead.

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱

—Anna Kopsky

The legend: She hides in any gaps or cracks in your home. If you see her, she'll ask you to play hide and seek. If you play and find her, she'll take you to another dimension, or hell — whichever she wants. AND SHE IS ALWAYS WATCHING.

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱

—ArcticSquirrel

The legend: It's a game where kids stand with their eyes closed while the others circle them, chanting a song and trying to scare the stationary kids. A version of this game was played improperly right after the Civil War, and the tale is that now, anytime children play the game, their faces will become distorted and horrifying.

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱

—DoubleD

The legend: When you're sleeping alone, a child in spiritual attire will appear next to your bed. When you awaken, you'll find your pillow under your feet instead of your head. NO. DON'T TOUCH ME WHILE I SLEEP, GHOST CHILD.

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱

—Kc Shoemake, Facebook

The legend: Onryō is a ghost that is actually capable of causing harm to humans, especially enemies. So ghosts CAN hurt you. GREAT. This legend inspired Kayako, aka the vengeful spirit in The Grudge.

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱

—therealalinicole

The legend: Kashima lives in school bathrooms, and if you see her, she'll ask you questions. If you don't answer them correctly, she'll slice you in half. And no matter what, she'll appear again a month after the first time you see her.

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱

—James5687

The legend: When you're in a public restroom, there will be two toilet paper rolls: one red and one blue. If you pick red, you'll be sliced apart until your clothes turn red. If you pick blue, you'll be strangled until your face turns blue. If you say yellow, you will survive.

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱

—Lauren Black, Facebook

The legend: If this terrifying poem is read aloud, horrifying things will happen to the reader. If you read it in your head, you should be okay — but that isn't guaranteed. IT'S SIMPLE: JUST DON'T READ IT.

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱

—Brett Vergara

The legend: AKA "hide and go kill," this is a game where you let a spirit possess a doll and then play hide and seek with it — and it's basically guaranteed that you'll die. WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?

NOPE rating: 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 (times 100, tbh)

—shojomecha