'Inunaki Village,' a lawless settlement, exists beyond the Old Inunaki Tunnel, and those who enter never return.

The tunnel often featured in urban legends and scary stories is this 'Old Inunaki Tunnel,' which is currently sealed off. The 'New Inunaki Tunnel' remains a public road open to traffic today.

Old Inunaki Tunnel ⇨ Opened in 1949 (Showa 24)

New Inunaki Tunnel ⇨ Opened in 1975 (Showa 50)

The Old Inunaki Tunnel is currently impassable as both the entrance and exit are blocked by concrete walls.

Both tunnels are located on 'Inunaki Pass.'

Inunaki Pass

A mountain pass spanning the border between Miyawaka City and Hisayama Town in Fukuoka Prefecture.

The Old Inunaki Tunnel was originally planned as a military road. However, the old road leading to the tunnel was narrow, full of continuous curves, and difficult to navigate.

Due to a significant increase in traffic after 1975, the New Inunaki Tunnel was opened, and the old one was subsequently closed.

Today, it is famous as a haunted spot and has seen increased media exposure through television programs and film adaptations.

Reasons why the 'Old Inunaki Tunnel' is called a haunted spot

There are reasons why the Old Inunaki Tunnel is considered haunted. The three listed below are common themes in horror films:

A cruel incident occurred there Paranormal phenomena at the Old Inunaki Tunnel The urban legend of Inunaki Village

A cruel incident occurred there

On December 7, 1988, a tragic incident occurred where a 20-year-old factory worker from Tagawa District, Fukuoka Prefecture, was assaulted by a group of five youths and found burned to death. (Ref: Transit guides, traffic news)

Because other similar tragic incidents occurred, its reputation as a haunted spot grew stronger.

Also, about 1,000 years ago, it was used as a training ground for Shugendo. *Shugendo ⇨ An ancient Japanese mountain faith aiming for enlightenment through rigorous training while secluded in the mountains.

At that time, a barrier was erected by practitioners, but with no one to maintain it, it broke down and allegedly became a cause for gathering evil spirits. *Practitioner (Anja) ⇨ One who practices Shugendo.

In other words, the numerous incidents might have been foreshadowed 1,000 years ago.

Paranormal phenomena at the Old Inunaki Tunnel

Various strange phenomena occur at the Old Inunaki Tunnel. They are summarized below. (Ref: Tourist attractions)

If you pass through in a white sedan, it becomes covered in red handprints. A female ghost appears in the phone booth near the tunnel. Dog barks and heavy breathing can be heard. There is a range of phenomena from specific to abstract.

Furthermore, there are various urban legends about 'Inunaki Village,' which is said to lie beyond this old tunnel.

The urban legend of Inunaki Village

The urban legends of Inunaki Village are as follows:

The residents were persecuted in the past, live self-sufficiently, and inbreeding continues. A couple who wandered into Inunaki Village was brutally murdered. It has been completely erased from Japanese administrative records and maps. Upon entering the tunnel, there is a trap made of string and cans; if tripped, villagers rush out with axes. Mobile phones from all manufacturers show 'No Service.' At the village entrance, there is a sign saying, 'The Constitution of Japan does not apply beyond this point.' Such are the urban legends whispered about the place.