Where to Go After Dark: The 9 Best Japan Ghost Tours

1.Kyoto Ghost Tour: Dark Tales, Urban Legends, Bamboo Forest Night

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 625 reviews · from $43Our pick

Meet at Saga-Arashiyama Station for a drink, then follow a small group into the bamboo forest after dark. Guides such as Aron, Aaron, Zowee, and Kalle tell local ghost stories, true-crime tales, and urban legends before a brief solo walk in the darkness. The tour lasts about two and a half hours and is not suitable for children under 16.

“This a was a fun ghost tour! I have to admit, it was a bit spookier than I expected - and I’ve taken a lot of ghost tours. Aaron was a great guide! He was kind and had a good sense of humor as well. My two young adult sons and husband enjoyed the tour too!! Definitely a different way to experience the bamboo forest!”

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2.True Crime And Ghost Stories Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 163 reviews · 3 hours · from $35Best value

Join John for a three-hour English walking tour from Hanazono Shrine through Kabukicho, Toyama Park, and Aoyama Cemetery. Expect true crime, yakuza history, wartime atrocities, Japanese ghost stories, adult humor, and plenty of walking. The tour ends near Aoyama-Itchome Station and suits mature visitors who want a less polished view of Tokyo.

“This was an absolutely amazing tour with a great host! John managed to tell those creepy and haunting stories with such passion and always with a fun twist! Totally recommend this tour!”

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3.Ghost Tour – Legends, Dark Tales, Bamboo Forest Night

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · 2h 30m · from $50

Spend 150 minutes exploring Arashiyama after dark with English-speaking guides such as Eric, Aron, Zowee, and Kalle. Hear Japanese ghost lore, crimes, and unsettling local tales, then face a solo walk through the bamboo forest. A drink, creepy surprise, and anti-curse QR code are included.

“It was a pretty awesome and creepy experience with a Guide who has a lot of experience. Definiteley looking forward to do another tour.”

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4.Tokyo’s Scariest Shitamachi Ghost Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 30 reviews · from $114

This three-hour evening walk takes you from Tokyo Station to Otemachi, Minamisenju, and Asakusa, where guides such as Joris, Maik, Frank, Haruka, and Melissa share grim folklore, historical tragedies, and reports of paranormal activity. Expect temples, shrines, a cemetery area, public transit, one local snack, and a fair amount of walking.

“We were looking for a tour that was a different than the typical tourist spots, and this was perfect! A little spooky and lots of places we would have never seen otherwise. The tour guide was excellent, he had lots of good stories and made the whole tour very interesting.”

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5.Expert Anime Guide in Akihabara with a maid witch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 19 reviews

Meet an English-speaking anime guide in a witch maid outfit and spend 2.5 hours around Akihabara’s figures, manga shops, shrine, game center, and otaku landmarks. You can request favorite anime, manga, or games in advance. The tour ends at Afilia Chronicle Akihabara with one meal, drink, dessert, and cheki photo included.

“Hilary is the best tour guide for the anime tour in Akihabara”

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6.Ghost Tour with Scary Japanese Stories and Folklore

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7 reviews · 1 day · from $90

Meet your guide inside Tokyo Station and follow a small group through Tokyo’s darker corners, including Yoshiwara-jinja Shrine and Asakusa’s Shitamachi district. You’ll hear Japanese ghost stories, local legends, true crime accounts, and tales of a vengeful spirit said to have haunted the area for more than 1,000 years. Guides include Matthias, with private groups available.

“guide très sympathique qui nous a même offert un délicieux petit en-cas, visite intéressante riche en anecdotes, histoires et légendes passionnantes. Très belle expérience.”

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7.Tokyo Ghost Tour Through Haunting Japanese Legends

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $91

Start at Tokyo Station at 6 pm and follow a guide through Otemachi, Minamisenju, and Asakusa, hearing eerie tales linked to shrines, alleys, and places believed to have paranormal activity. The three-hour walk ends at Senso-ji. A local snack is included, while transport fares are extra.

“Denise was absolutely phenomenal. She did so much research and was so knowledgeable for the tour it was astounding. I got lost on the way to the meeting spot and she came and found me.”

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8.Ghost Stories and Nightlife Tour of Takayama (Private Tour – Price per Group)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews

Join Will’s Hida Takayama Tours for a private evening walk through Takayama’s quiet old town. Hear local ghost stories, study the old government house from outside, try archery and optional carnival games, then finish near bars and restaurants. The tour is for up to four people, with food and drinks extra.

“Our guide was lovely and showed us some great corners of the city. Our guide had a deep knowledge of the history of Takayama. We only wish that the ghost stories were a little scarier.”

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9.Ghost Stories and Nightlife Tour of Takayama

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3 reviews · 2 hours

Walk Takayama’s silent old town after 5pm with an English-speaking guide such as William, hearing local ghost stories at temples and graveyards. Then choose games, food, and drinks in a lively district. This private two-hour tour costs $109 per group of up to four, with nightlife spending extra.

“Ist was a really nice walking tour with the Option of bow shooting and nightlife recommendation. The Storie-telling was interesting and quite entertaining. I wished for a few more Stories and a bit more of Elements underlining the scary Ambiente-just for the cherry on top of the ice cream. Netherless I can recommend this walking Tour.”

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