Tokyo’s Scariest Shitamachi Ghost Tour

Tokyo’s Scariest Shitamachi Ghost Tour (3 hours)

 

Do you like creepy, weird, and scary? Do you love to be rattled and spooked? Then this is a ghost tour especially for you!

 

Go with us on an adventure to the scariest and creepiest sights in Tokyo and be amazed by all the weirdness that’s out there. This tour is unlike all the other ghost tours I can promise you that!

 

The first samurai’s ghost

 

The first stop will be in Otemachi, near the Imperial Palace. Hidden between the high buildings of Tokyo’s financial district is a small shrine that was erected for one of Japan’s first samurai, Taira no Masakado.

 

While he was a hero for the area that is now Kanto, he was seen as a traitor by the government in Kyoto. A bounty was put on his head, and after a long chase he was killed and his head was put on display. The head didn’t like this much, and according to legend, it started a journey back to Kanto. It arrived there, but the shrine that was built for Masakado has had many strange incidents happening when the spot was disturbed…

 

Former execution grounds

 

Near unassuming area Minami Senju is a place with a very dark history; it used to be one of the 3 execution grounds of Edo. Hundreds of thousands of people met their end here, many of them in gruesome ways. People were executed for petty crimes like theft at that time, and the sad last goodbyes that were said at the ‘bridge of tears’ have left a spiritual mark on the area.

 

Not far from the former execution grounds is another spot with a tragic history. Edo’s pleasure district was located here, and many women were held here against their will. When a large fire hit the area, many women died a horrible death after a life full of hardship. A shrine was built here to appease the lost souls, but many locals don’t dare to go near once the evening falls.

 

Asakusa after dark

 

In the historical neighborhood of Asakusa is the Sensoji temple, a renowned haunted site. During the Edo period, people were especially drawn to religious places believed to have underground creatures in their backyards that counterbalanced the divine beings in their front yards (omote). Sensoji is one of them, renowned for it’s “front” Asakusa Kannon and its “rear” (ura) world of evil deities. There are several legends dating back to the 17th century about this area which we will tell you all about!

 

Our next stop is Old Hag’s Pond, near Sensoji temple. This is the site of an inn run by an evil old woman who murdered countless guests by dropping a boulder on them as they slept. If you are brave enough to visit this place at night, you might hear cries ring out over the still, stagnant waters…

 

After all the goosebump-inducing spots and stories, we can imagine that you would like to sit down for a drink. Your guide will recommend a few interesting places in the area and drop you off at the izakaya or bar of your choice, or drop you off at the station.

 

Ghost tour languages

 

Our Tokyo Ghost Tour can be offered in the following languages:

 

*English

*Japanese

 

More information

 

We recommend this tour for people aged 12 and up.

 

Please note that this tour may not be a private tour during the busier season.

 

For more information, inquiries, and bookings you can email us at [email protected] or click on the ‘More information’ button

More information

CUSTOMERS’ VOICE

Jan Wagemaker

“The individual journey we made was well prepared by Tokiotours. The few problems we experienced during our 3.5 week trip were neatly resolved. Stefanie and Steven, the guides we experienced in Tokyo and Kyoto respectively, did their job in an exceptionally good way. A great memory.”

Peter Carroll

“My wife and I headed to Tokyo earlier this year and booked 3 first class tours with this company. All excellent, very informative and gave us a unique behind the curtain insight into a culture that was completely foreign to me. I would 100% recommend Tokiotours for anyone looking to get the most out of their time in Tokyo. Great fun!”

Herman

The individual journey we made was well prepared by Tokiotours. The few problems we experienced during our 3.5 week trip were neatly resolved. Stefanie and Steven, the guides we experienced in Tokyo and Kyoto respectively, did their job in an exceptionally good way. A great memory.

Klaas F.

We look back on a very successful trip through Japan! Also thanks to your efforts it has been an unforgettable trip. Z. loved the morning in Harajuku with cotton candy, photo booth and VR experience. I liked the bike tour and especially the bamboo forest in Kamakura -> the bamboo forest in Kyoto was disappointing compared to that one… but Kyoto has very beautiful old places and Floris’ help for the reservation at Misono was fantastic.

CMW250

I am a first-time visitor to Japan and travelled by myself so I booked one-on-one guiding tours. Had a wonderful time with all three guides from Tokiotours – Thom, Stefanie and Haruka. Thom is an encyclopedia on history, culture and religious practices and also a very nice guy, Stefanie with a gift of bringing Japanese history alive and making it very memorable and Haruka with her love of Japanese cuisine thanks to whom I enjoyed the very best and freshest sea-urchins on Tokyo Tsukiji market ever. Thank you to all of you!