Japanese haunted towns
Japanese haunted towns are towns legendarily inhabited by ghosts ("yōkai"). These include Yōkai Street (officially known as Jōkyo Street or Taishōgun shopping street), in Kyoto and the Yōkaichi of Shiga Prefecture. Ōbokeyōkai village. Ōbokeyōkai Village in the Tokushima Prefecture has developed a "yōkai" culture. Legend has it that "yōkai" inhabit the village. Some 15,000 people were identified as residents in the 1950s. However, reports regarding "yōkai" sightings and "yōkai"-related phenomena led to a mass exodus. In 2013, the village was home to only 4,000 permanent residents. This village is said to be a birthplace of "konakijijī", and  is the source of many "yōkai" legends. To capitalize upon the interests of Japanese pop culture and as a sign of respect for their fellow "yōkai" residents, this village erected statues of "yōkai" and holds various ""yōkai" events" annually. History. In 1998, locals began to investigate the village and uncovered its legend as a birthplace of "konakijijī" and "yōkai". In 2001, they put up a statue of "konakijijī" and started a "yōkai" festival. In 2010, a rest area in this village was remade into a "yōkai" mansion and many statues of"yōkai" are displayed there. Events and buildings. People in this  village have held many events and built many structures. The biggest event is the Yōkai Festival held every year in November. Yokai night walks, a disguise contest, poster exhibitions, and guided tours are also held. In addition, there is a yōkai mansion as a roadside station, where legends about yōkai are displayed. Furthermore, many sculptures of yōkai stand in various places throughout the village. Stories about Yōkai. In Ōbokeyokai village, stories about "yōkai" have been handed down from generation to generation. For example, stories about "konakijijī", "hitotsumenyūdō", "tengu", "kappa" (folklore), and so on. More than one hundred and fifty stories  exist now. Ancient people scared children with stories of "yōkai", to prevent them from doing dangerous things. Mizuki Shigeru Road, Sakaiminato. Mizuki Shigeru road is a street with many statues of "yōkai" in Sakaiminato, Tottori. Sakaiminato is the birthplace of Shigeru Mizuki, who is the author of GeGeGe no Kitarō, a famous Japanese comic. Mizuki Shigeru road has many statues of "yōkai" and facilities related to "yōkai". Attractions. Statues of "yōkai", a memorial house, a shrine and many shops are on Mizuki Shigeru road. When the road was first built, 23 statues of "yōkai" were there, but by 2014, the  number had risen to 153. Mizuki Shigeru "kinenkan" is a memorial house with exhibits of comics drawn by Mizuki, photos of his trips, an account of his history and many articles about "yōkai". "Yōkai jinja" is a shrine founded to accommodate "yōkai". The crest for the shrine symbolizes Chinese character ‘kai’. History. Mizuki Shigeru road had a history of 21 years as of 2014. Sakaiminato prospered by the marine products industry. To add culture, Mizuki Shigeru road was made in 1993. In 2000, "yōkai jinja" was founded on the road, and in 2003, Mizuki Shigeru "kinenkan" was made. In 2008  over 10 million people visited this road . Events. Events include "Sakaiminato sakana", a "yōkai" walk. Another event is "GeGeGe no getatumi taikai", in which the participants compete by the number of "Getas" they amass. The higher-ranking prize winners receive a prize. Yōkai Street, Kyoto. In Yōkai Street, many cute and humorous "yōkai" appear. Yōkai Street is at Taishōgun in Kyōto. This is a development project. Many "yōkai" dolls are displayed in storefronts. When events are held, many people participate. History. Residents of Taishōgun began this project in 2005. The project derives from “Hyakki yagyō” in the Heian period. Hyakkiyakō  is a parade of many yōkai, which is from old tools threw away. In the Heian period, people believed that if people threw tools using a long time, that the tools had souls, called Tsukumogami. It is said that this way of thinking celebrates the importance of using tools for a long time. These yōkai often appeared along Ichjō street. Now, in Taishōgun along Ichijō street, there is a small hall of yōkai. In the hall there, details explaining Hyakkiyakō and yōkai can be found. Section::::"Yōkai" statues and "yōkai" food. Yōkai Street is usually quiet, but many kind of "yokai  welcome visitors. Various stores and handmade yōkai" are placed in front of stores. In front of the bakery is “the old man of bread.” In front of the kimono shop is a "bakeneko" dressed in a "kimono". One local dish is "Yōkai Ramen", a Chinese noodle soup. It is the black and powdered in red. In front of this restaurant is a one-eyed goblin. Other food served there is a "yōkai" croquette. The color is black and the inside is green. These foods are popular despite their strange appearance. Events. At the Taishōgunhachi shrine on Yōkai Street, a Yōkai  Free Market is held several times a year. This market is usually well attended and full of people buying and selling "yōkai"-related goods. Another event is “"Ichijō Hyakkiyakō",” a costume parade in which many people wear "yōkai" costumes and walk along Ichijō street at night. Yōkaichi, Shiga. Yōkaichi city, which is in Shiga prefecture, has become prosperous by publicizing "yōkai". Honaikai is an attempt to recover local history through events related to "yōkai". History. Yōkaichi, Shiga city, which is now Higashiōmi, Shiga city, was named in the Asuka period by Prince Shōtoku. The name Yōkaichi derives from the market which  was held on days including 8 (8th, 18th, 28th) in Asuka period. Yōkaichi prospered as a market town and in 2005 merged with four other towns to form Higashiōmi, Shiga. Development. Honaikai took a leading part in the development of "yōkai" culture in Yōkaichi city, starting in 1999. In 2002, "Honaikai" made the map of mysterious "yōkai" places for the first time. In 2007, Honaikai made a map called the "Prince Shōtoku series" which introduced twelve shrines and temples related to Prince Shōtoku. Seven maps related to raccoon dogs, foxes, and the legend of a long-nosed goblin were created . Honaikai especially focuses on Gao, a ghost that eats mischievous children. Members of Honaikai disguise themselves as Gao on February 3 and visit children. Festivals. Festivals related to "yōkai" or the history of Yōkaichi are held there. "Yōkaichi ha Yōkaichi" is held mainly by "Honaikai" to inform people of the history and to advance "yōkai" culture. A parade with ghosts and a haunted house is held. The "Yōkaichi Shōtoku Maturi" is a festival during which a night market is held and people enjoy dancing.