Perhaps the story of the headless horseman in Matsushima is the scariest. Legend says that a samurai lost his head in a fight and now rides his horse at night, searching for his lost head. His thundering hooves can be heard in the still of the night, and if you catch a glimpse of him, all you see is a headless figure on a horse, which is truly spine - chilling. This story has scared many locals and visitors alike for centuries.
The scariest might be the tale of the ghostly bride. She was supposed to get married but died on her wedding day. Her spirit is said to roam the town, especially near the old wedding hall. People claim to see her in her white wedding dress, with a sad and pale face. It's really terrifying as she seems to be looking for something or someone, and her presence gives off a feeling of deep sorrow and fear.
There is a really scary ghost story about a ship. A crew member was murdered on board many years ago. Ever since, at midnight, his ghost can be seen walking the decks. Sailors on passing ships have reported seeing a shadowy figure with a knife in his hand. One ship even tried to rescue what they thought was a stranded sailor, but when they got closer, the figure disappeared and they heard a blood - curdling scream.
The scariest might be the one about the crying baby in the Changi Chapel. It is said that at night, the sound of a baby crying can be heard. It's thought to be related to the many lives lost during the war, and the chapel being a place of both hope and despair. The idea of a crying baby in such a solemn and haunted place is truly terrifying.
I think the stories from the old prisons in Tennessee can be really scary. Imagine the spirits of criminals who met their end there. In some of these prisons, people have reported seeing shadowy figures, hearing screams, and feeling a sense of dread. These stories are so scary because they are set in such a dark and foreboding environment. Prisons are places of pain and suffering, and the thought of the dead still roaming there is spooky.
There's a story about a ghostly child in Rochester. It's said that on foggy nights, a child's laughter can be heard near an abandoned school. One person who investigated saw a faint apparition of a little boy. It's believed he died in a tragic accident on the school grounds long ago. This is really terrifying as the idea of a lost child's spirit is quite spooky.
Perhaps the scariest is the story of the vengeful spirits of sacrificed victims. In Mayan history, there were many human sacrifices. It is said that the spirits of those who were sacrificed unjustly still haunt the places where they met their end. Their cries can be heard on moonless nights, and they are said to cause misfortune to those who get too close to their resting places.
The scariest might be the tale of the vengeful ghost in the old lighthouse. Legend has it that a keeper was wrongly accused of a crime and died in despair. His ghost now haunts the lighthouse, making strange noises and causing the lights to flicker. People who have visited the lighthouse at night often report an eerie feeling as if they are being watched.
A particularly scary Yarmouth ghost story involves a witch's curse. There was a woman in Yarmouth long ago who was accused of being a witch. Before she was executed, she cursed the town. Ever since, there have been reports of a dark figure that appears during thunderstorms. It has glowing red eyes and seems to be searching for something. The figure is often seen near the place where she was burned at the stake, and just the thought of it is enough to make your hair stand on end. People who have encountered it say they feel a sense of impending doom.
I'm not very familiar with specific 'Ms Matsushima Ghost Stories' but generally, ghost stories often have elements of mystery and the supernatural. You could try looking for them in local libraries or specialized bookstores that deal with Japanese literature or horror stories.
One well - known Matsushima ghost story is about a spectral fisherman. It is said that on stormy nights, a figure of a fisherman in tattered clothes can be seen on the shore. He seems to be forever waiting for his boat that was lost at sea long ago.
The story of the Octavius is truly terrifying. Supposedly, this ship was lost in the Arctic ice for years. When it finally emerged, it sailed into an English port. But when the authorities boarded it, they found the entire crew frozen in various positions. Some were at the dinner table, as if time had stopped. It was like a snapshot of a moment of horror. The ship was then said to be cursed, and no one wanted to have anything to do with it. It just sat in the port, a reminder of the unknown terrors that can happen at sea.