SEASON THREE:

the hotel turned tatari

Building on fire with emergency response vehicles and inset of flames.

Season Three Debut Date: April 5, 2024

Episode 16: The Legends of akasaka

Release Date: April 5, 2024

Episode 16 begins our look at the site of the most haunted hotel in Japan. Located in the busy Akasaka district of downtown Tokyo, the spot is notorious for ghostly, demonic and yokai activity, as well as a place of frequent murders.

For centuries, this place has been known as a portal where demons enter. Hear what was done to close the portal and how the portal was eroded over time by evil deeds and curses. One man’s fateful death is linked directly to his attempt to open the portal.

The site is also the place haunted by a mysterious yokai known as the noppera-bo. This is a faceless creature that lures people in by disguising itself as a woman in distress, only to viciously attack them. The most famous noppera-bo story took place in the 19th Century on the site where the Hotel New Japan would one day be erected.

But there are many more tales that make this spot a place of tatari, cursed by tragedy, death, and malicious intent. Hear about the tale to overthrow the government and murder its leaders, a scheme hatched in this very spot. Hear about the infamous murder of a celebrity and the yakuza tortures and murders that many believe have left this place cursed with ghostly activity.

All these legends and more explored in this episode of Mysterious Japan.

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episode 17: the deadly ashes of error

Release Date: April 19, 2024

An owner who installed dummy sprinkler systems to fool the fire department and save money. He ruled over his employees with intimidation and fear, firing any who questioned him. He refused to train them on emergency procedures to save money and hide his negligence. What could go wrong?

On February 8, 1982, a cigarette on the ninth floor sends the hotel into a fiery and deadly blaze. The few late night workers fail to pull the fire alarm and soon found themselves outmatched by the fire. By the time the fire engines arrive, it is too late for many on the top two floors. Hear this story compiled from the harrowing court records, investigation reports, and witness testimony.

It is a story full of daring escapes, bumbling employees untrained on procedures, and a fire jumping from room to room as it develops into the second most deadly fire in the history of Japan, resulting in 9 long hours of hell on earth for the 103 guests on the 9th and 10th Floors.

Their stories and tragedies unfold in this episode of Mysterious Japan.

episode 18: the Face of Fiery Death

Episode 18 explores the stories of the heroes who went in to save those stuck in blazing hotel. Learn why they are considered national heroes in Japan. Hear their awe-inspiring stories and the aftermath of the terrible fire.

Person climbing down a building during a fire.

Newspaper front page featuring the Tokyo hotel fire, showing firefighters tackling the blaze and people attempting to escape from windows.

episode 19: the lingering dead at hotel new japan

Episode 19 takes a look at the ghost stories in the aftermath of the fire. Learn how it received its infamous reputation, why no company would buy the land, and the fate of the man who caused the fire.

Diagram of ninth floor building layout, highlighting a fire location and indicating male and female fatalities with colored dots. Includes stair and elevator positions.

EPISODE GUIDE