I’m a hardcore horror fan, so I’ve put together a late-night reading list of Hall-of-Fame Japanese creepypasta (Share-Kowa)—legendary 2ch horror stories that will keep you wide awake.
Every tale here is an urban legend born on Japan’s internet message boards. I’ve cherry-picked only the entries that earned “Hall of Fame” status, so trust me: they’re all seriously terrifying.
From cursed puzzle boxes and haunted wells to rituals gone wrong, each story will crawl under your skin.
If you hit any cultural references you don’t understand, drop a question in the comments and I’ll be happy to unpack them for you.
About Share-Kowa (洒落怖) – A legendary thread on Japan’s mega textboard 2ch (now 5ch) where users post “stories so scary they’re beyond a joke.” The name is short for 「死ぬほど洒落にならない怖い話」.
The thread collected first-person horror tales, urban legends, and supernatural encounters; over the years the very best posts were archived as “Hall of Fame Share-Kowa,” and the label eventually became shorthand for all home-grown Japanese creepypasta.
The thread collected first-person horror tales, urban legends, and supernatural encounters; over the years the very best posts were archived as “Hall of Fame Share-Kowa,” and the label eventually became shorthand for all home-grown Japanese creepypasta.
目次
Recommended Hall-of-Fame Japanese horror stories
These are guaranteed hits—so famous that seasoned creepypasta readers may already know them. Most are fairly long.
Real
Often voted “scariest Creepypasta ever.”
Premise: — The narrator learns a “summoning ritual” from a friend, performs it on a whim, and spends the next 2 ½ years haunted by the entity that appears. “Real” isn’t the name of the monster—it’s the author’s insistence that everything you’re reading is literally true.
Often voted “scariest Creepypasta ever.”
Premise: — The narrator learns a “summoning ritual” from a friend, performs it on a whim, and spends the next 2 ½ years haunted by the entity that appears. “Real” isn’t the name of the monster—it’s the author’s insistence that everything you’re reading is literally true.
Kotori-Bako
The Ultimate Curse-Box Story
Premise: — A group of friends stumbles upon what looks like an intricate puzzle box—but it is, in fact, a lethal charm known as the Kotori-Bako (“Little Bird Box”). Merely touching the box—and in some versions, simply standing near it or even looking at it—is said to start a slow curse: your internal organs tear apart bit by bit until you die…
The Ultimate Curse-Box Story
Premise: — A group of friends stumbles upon what looks like an intricate puzzle box—but it is, in fact, a lethal charm known as the Kotori-Bako (“Little Bird Box”). Merely touching the box—and in some versions, simply standing near it or even looking at it—is said to start a slow curse: your internal organs tear apart bit by bit until you die…
Kankan Dara
Hall-of-Fame horror tale—seriously terrifying.
Premise: — When I was in elementary and junior high school, I was just a clueless country kid. I hung out every day with two close friends, A and B, goofing off and living a pretty rough life.
Hall-of-Fame horror tale—seriously terrifying.
Premise: — When I was in elementary and junior high school, I was just a clueless country kid. I hung out every day with two close friends, A and B, goofing off and living a pretty rough life.
Ryōmen-sukuna
One of the inspirations for Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Premise: — I work in the construction industry, and recently, I was assigned to demolish an old temple in Iwate Prefecture.It was a temple that no one used anymore. While we were tearing down the temple, one of my coworkers called me over. "Hey, come here for a second,"
One of the inspirations for Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Premise: — I work in the construction industry, and recently, I was assigned to demolish an old temple in Iwate Prefecture.It was a temple that no one used anymore. While we were tearing down the temple, one of my coworkers called me over. "Hey, come here for a second,"
Pandora(禁后)
Premise: — This is a story about something called "Kin-Kō" that was passed down in my hometown. I never figured out how to read the kanji properly, but among us kids, we called it "Pandora."
Premise: — This is a story about something called "Kin-Kō" that was passed down in my hometown. I never figured out how to read the kanji properly, but among us kids, we called it "Pandora."
Back S District
Premise: — This happened in a certain area in Kyushu. It’s about a place past the mountains of a district we'll call S Ward—a place people used to refer to as the Back S District.
Premise: — This happened in a certain area in Kyushu. It’s about a place past the mountains of a district we'll call S Ward—a place people used to refer to as the Back S District.
Hitchhiking
A fear straight out of a horror movie.
Premise: — I had just graduated from college, but I hadn’t found a job yet.I’ve always been the type who doesn’t act unless I’m cornered (cramming the night before exams was my usual style),
A fear straight out of a horror movie.
Premise: — I had just graduated from college, but I hadn’t found a job yet.I’ve always been the type who doesn’t act unless I’m cornered (cramming the night before exams was my usual style),
The Round Hole Underground
A masterpiece in the isekai genre.
Premise: — This happened 17 years ago, during the winter of my senior year of high school.Most of my memories from that time are gone, but over these 17 years, I’ve kept notes based on the fragments that remained.I used those notes to write this down.
A masterpiece in the isekai genre.
Premise: — This happened 17 years ago, during the winter of my senior year of high school.Most of my memories from that time are gone, but over these 17 years, I’ve kept notes based on the fragments that remained.I used those notes to write this down.
Dangerous Curiosity
A legendary human horror story.
Premise: —This is kind of a long story, but if you’ve got time, give it a read.Back when I was in elementary school, we built a secret base deep in the woods behind our school.
A legendary human horror story.
Premise: —This is kind of a long story, but if you’ve got time, give it a read.Back when I was in elementary school, we built a secret base deep in the woods behind our school.
SaruYume
Premise: —Since childhood I’ve sometimes realized mid-dream that I’m dreaming. This was one of those times. For some reason I was alone on a dim, deserted station platform. “What a gloomy dream,” I thought.
Premise: —Since childhood I’ve sometimes realized mid-dream that I’m dreaming. This was one of those times. For some reason I was alone on a dim, deserted station platform. “What a gloomy dream,” I thought.
Being Loved by a God
Premise: — I was once told by a fortune teller, “You won’t live a long life.” I asked them why.They said, “You’ve been to the mainland, haven’t you? I think something latched onto you there. But it’s not some mere evil spirit…
Premise: — I was once told by a fortune teller, “You won’t live a long life.” I asked them why.They said, “You’ve been to the mainland, haven’t you? I think something latched onto you there. But it’s not some mere evil spirit…
Resort Job
This is a long-form piece.
Premise: — SThis happened when I was a third-year university student. Summer break was just around the corner, and five of us from the same college group decided to take a trip to the beach. While we were still in the planning stage, one of my friends said, “Hey, why not pick up a job there while we’re at it?”
This is a long-form piece.
Premise: — SThis happened when I was a third-year university student. Summer break was just around the corner, and five of us from the same college group decided to take a trip to the beach. While we were still in the planning stage, one of my friends said, “Hey, why not pick up a job there while we’re at it?”
Hasshaku-sama
Premise: — My dad’s hometown is a little less than a two-hour drive from my place. It’s a farming village, and I love the atmosphere. Once I got a motorcycle in high school, I’d ride over alone every summer or winter break. Grandpa and Grandma were always happy—“Thanks for coming!”
Premise: — My dad’s hometown is a little less than a two-hour drive from my place. It’s a farming village, and I love the atmosphere. Once I got a motorcycle in high school, I’d ride over alone every summer or winter break. Grandpa and Grandma were always happy—“Thanks for coming!”
Kunekune
Premise: — This happened when I was a kid, during a trip to visit my grandmother’s old family home in Akita.We only went there once a year, during Obon※1, so the moment we arrived, I was already bouncing with excitement. My brother and I rushed outside to play.
Premise: — This happened when I was a kid, during a trip to visit my grandmother’s old family home in Akita.We only went there once a year, during Obon※1, so the moment we arrived, I was already bouncing with excitement. My brother and I rushed outside to play.
Kisaragi Station
A famous urban legend in Japan.
Premise: — In 2004, a mysterious thread surfaced on Japan’s largest anonymous message board, 2channel. A user named “Hasumi” live-posted a bizarre experience while riding a local train in Shizuoka Prefecture.
A famous urban legend in Japan.
Premise: — In 2004, a mysterious thread surfaced on Japan’s largest anonymous message board, 2channel. A user named “Hasumi” live-posted a bizarre experience while riding a local train in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Anyone want a house in the northern part of Kobe City?
Back then, a post unrelated to anything occult ended up drawing a lot of attention.
Premise: — This eerie story didn’t come from a horror forum.It first appeared in a completely unrelated thread titled: “Giving Away for Free / Please Give Me Something for Free.”
Back then, a post unrelated to anything occult ended up drawing a lot of attention.
Premise: — This eerie story didn’t come from a horror forum.It first appeared in a completely unrelated thread titled: “Giving Away for Free / Please Give Me Something for Free.”
Short Horror Tales
This is one of those stories that suddenly creeps up on you when you remember it later.You might want to take care of your bath and bathroom needs before reading.
Just a Hobby
A short horror story that made it into the Hall of Fame.
Premise: — I’ve got a weird hobby.At night, I like to climb up to the rooftop of my house and look out over the town through my binoculars.There’s something oddly exciting about watching the city
A short horror story that made it into the Hall of Fame.
Premise: — I’ve got a weird hobby.At night, I like to climb up to the rooftop of my house and look out over the town through my binoculars.There’s something oddly exciting about watching the city
Yamanoke
This is the story that inspired “Otonoke” by Creepy Nuts, the theme song of the anime Dandadan.
Premise: — A week ago, I took my daughter for a drive. We cruised a lonely mountain road, grabbed lunch at a little drive‑in *1, and—just for kicks—I veered onto an unpaved side path to scare her.Her pleas to stop only egged me on,
This is the story that inspired “Otonoke” by Creepy Nuts, the theme song of the anime Dandadan.
Premise: — A week ago, I took my daughter for a drive. We cruised a lonely mountain road, grabbed lunch at a little drive‑in *1, and—just for kicks—I veered onto an unpaved side path to scare her.Her pleas to stop only egged me on,
Kyotou-O
Premise: — A few years ago, I suddenly remembered a certain village.It was a small place I’d visited on a solo trip—there was a little inn there. I remembered how heartfelt the hospitality had been. For some reason, I just felt an urge to go back.
Premise: — A few years ago, I suddenly remembered a certain village.It was a small place I’d visited on a solo trip—there was a little inn there. I remembered how heartfelt the hospitality had been. For some reason, I just felt an urge to go back.
Video Message
Premise: — A colleague of mine passed away. His name was K, and he was an avid free climber. We were close friends, and I often spent time with his family, even though I was single.
Premise: — A colleague of mine passed away. His name was K, and he was an avid free climber. We were close friends, and I often spent time with his family, even though I was single.
Low humming
It’s short, but it gives me chills.
Premise: — I still live in this house, and it’s supposed to be the safest place in the world—my family has owned the land for generations, no dark history, no creepy rumors.
It’s short, but it gives me chills.
Premise: — I still live in this house, and it’s supposed to be the safest place in the world—my family has owned the land for generations, no dark history, no creepy rumors.
The Friend Who Went Missing
Premise: — It wasn’t a prank, but when I’d just started kindergarten—maybe first grade—there was a filled‑in fishing pond near my house. A friend and I slipped through a gap in the barbed wire to play inside.
Premise: — It wasn’t a prank, but when I’d just started kindergarten—maybe first grade—there was a filled‑in fishing pond near my house. A friend and I slipped through a gap in the barbed wire to play inside.
A Mysterious Name on My Cellphone
It’s short, but it’s a well‑known story.
Premise: — Autumn 2001. I had the chills from a cold, so I grabbed a strap on the Seibu Shinjuku Line *1, heading for a clinic in Ōkubo *2. My head was pounding—I shut my eyes, brow knotted, riding it out.
It’s short, but it’s a well‑known story.
Premise: — Autumn 2001. I had the chills from a cold, so I grabbed a strap on the Seibu Shinjuku Line *1, heading for a clinic in Ōkubo *2. My head was pounding—I shut my eyes, brow knotted, riding it out.
Underground Well
Premise: — If any of my old crew read this, they’ll know exactly who I am. If they learn I’m still alive, they’ll start hunting again—but if I don’t write, that well will stay buried in the dark forever. So here goes.
Premise: — If any of my old crew read this, they’ll know exactly who I am. If they learn I’m still alive, they’ll start hunting again—but if I don’t write, that well will stay buried in the dark forever. So here goes.
Convenience stores
Premise: — I never believed in ghosts—not even a little.But I do now, and this is the story that made me a believer.About two years ago I was working part‑time at a convenience store.
Premise: — I never believed in ghosts—not even a little.But I do now, and this is the story that made me a believer.About two years ago I was working part‑time at a convenience store.
Things That Float on the Sea
Premise: — This happened quite a while ago.I’d just finished listening to a radio show I’d taped from a friend’s cassette. Hitting stop every time was a pain, so I decided to let the deck run until the tape reached the end and auto-stopped.
Premise: — This happened quite a while ago.I’d just finished listening to a radio show I’d taped from a friend’s cassette. Hitting stop every time was a pain, so I decided to let the deck run until the tape reached the end and auto-stopped.
Lord Kuchinā
A creepy story with a bit of humor. Take it as a light break.
Premise: — Grandpa, who still lives out in the country, is missing the first knuckle bone of his left pinky.If you pinch it, the tip squashes flat and bends freely in any direction.
A creepy story with a bit of humor. Take it as a light break.
Premise: — Grandpa, who still lives out in the country, is missing the first knuckle bone of his left pinky.If you pinch it, the tip squashes flat and bends freely in any direction.
Mountain Shrine
Premise: — This is something that happened to me when I was a second-year high-schooler. One day during summer break, my friends A, B, C and I suddenly decided to go camping.
Premise: — This is something that happened to me when I was a second-year high-schooler. One day during summer break, my friends A, B, C and I suddenly decided to go camping.
Inn Help Wanted
Premise: — This happened about two years ago, when I was hunting for a part-time job so I could travel.Day after sweltering day I flipped through want-ads, sweat dripping, dialing number after number—every place said no, no, no.
Premise: — This happened about two years ago, when I was hunting for a part-time job so I could travel.Day after sweltering day I flipped through want-ads, sweat dripping, dialing number after number—every place said no, no, no.
Survivor of the IZUMO Airlines Crash
Premise: — I’m releasing an important record related to the incident here.It’s an audio file captured on an IC recorder.The voice on it is almost entirely that of Hiná Kamimura.
Premise: — I’m releasing an important record related to the incident here.It’s an audio file captured on an IC recorder.The voice on it is almost entirely that of Hiná Kamimura.
A Hidden Gem of Japanese Horror
Here’s a chilling Japanese horror story that’s not well-known— but absolutely worth the read.
