The unknown is a very scary element. For example, in stories where models encounter strange apparitions, they often don't know what these entities are or what they want. It creates a sense of unease and fear.
The scariest aspect is probably the vengeful spirits. They are relentless in their pursuit of revenge. They can appear at any time, and there's no escaping them once they set their sights on you.
The unknown is a really scary element. For example, in those old buildings during photoshoots, you don't know what could be making those noises or causing those strange shadows. It could be anything from a wandering spirit to just some strange natural phenomenon that has a spooky feel to it.
The connection to daily life. Many of these stories are set in ordinary places like old houses or small villages. It makes people think that such spooky things could happen anywhere. Like the story of Okiku in a normal household, it makes the horror seem closer to home.
One of the scariest Japanese stories is 'The Ring'. It's about a cursed videotape. Once you watch it, you'll receive a call from a girl named Sadako who will crawl out of the TV to kill you. Another is 'Tomie'. Tomie is a beautiful but terrifying woman who can regenerate from any injury and causes chaos and death wherever she goes. And 'Ju - on: The Grudge' is also very scary. The curse in this story spreads like a virus, affecting anyone who enters the haunted house.
The use of the supernatural. In Japanese scary stories, things like ghosts, curses, and monsters are common. For example, in 'The Ring', Sadako's ability to come out of the TV through a cursed video is supernaturally terrifying. It plays on our fear of the unknown and the things we can't control.
The sense of the unknown. In many Japanese urban legend horror stories, there are no clear explanations for why these things happen. For the Aka Manto in the toilet, there's no backstory as to why he is there or what his true motives are. This lack of knowledge makes the stories even scarier as our minds start to fill in the blanks with the most terrifying possibilities.
One of the scariest is 'Ringu'. It's about a cursed videotape. Once you watch it, you receive a call saying you'll die in seven days. The sense of dread builds as the main characters try to figure out how to break the curse. The pale, long - haired girl crawling out of the well is an iconic and terrifying image.
The visual elements are also key. The pale and ghostly appearances of the spirits, like in 'Ju - on', with their disheveled hair and dark eyes. These visuals are often paired with eerie sounds such as creaking floors and strange moans, which create a very tense atmosphere.
The story of Teke - Teke is also very frightening. A girl cut in half by a train, dragging herself around making that eerie 'teke - teke' noise. It gives you the chills especially when you think about being near railway tracks at night and suddenly hearing that sound. It plays on the fear of unexpected and grotesque apparitions.