Ghosts and Ghost Stories: Japan’s Chilling Summer Tradition
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When the sweltering heat of summer sets in, Japan has a curious way of keeping cool—by sending shivers down your spine. For centuries, kaidan (怪談), or ghost stories, have been a beloved part of Japanese summer, offering a refreshing chill to contrast the hot, humid days.
What is Yurei？
Japanese ghosts, known as yūrei (幽霊), are not just simple phantoms. They often carry deep emotional ties to the world of the living—lingering due to love, betrayal, or revenge. Perhaps the most iconic image of a yūrei is that of a woman in a pure white burial kimono (shinishōzoku), with long, disheveled black hair, pale skin, and an expressionless face. Her hands often hang limply in front of her chest, fingers slightly curled, as she drifts silently through the darkness.
Kimono Apperance of Yurei
The white kimono is not random—it is based on the shinishōzoku, a traditional garment worn by the deceased in Japanese funerals. In Buddhist customs, the dead are dressed in white as they embark on their journey to the afterlife. This connection to funeral attire makes the appearance of a yūrei all the more unsettling, as it visually signals a spirit that has crossed over from death but has not found peace.
This unsettling image has become a staple in Japanese art, theater, and film, from Edo-period woodblock prints to modern horror movies.
Kaidan in Summer
Kaidan have been shared for generations, from old folktales told by candlelight to modern horror films like The Ring and Ju-On. One of the most famous traditional stories is Oiwa-san from “Yotsuya Kaidan,” a tragic tale of betrayal and revenge that still terrifies audiences today. In rural areas, summer festivals sometimes feature ghost story gatherings, where people take turns recounting eerie tales until the room falls silent and goosebumps rise.
Why summer? In the days before air conditioning, people believed that a good scare could cool you down. Even today, television stations air special ghost programs during August, and haunted houses open their doors to thrill-seekers looking for a seasonal chill.
So if you visit Japan in summer, don’t just enjoy the fireworks, festivals, and cold noodles—spend an evening immersed in the world of yūrei and kaidan. Who knows? The next cool breeze you feel might not be from the wind.
