"Ghost Stories: Haunted Ruins in Kyoda"

Entrance to Nago's famed Haunted Ruins

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O-Files: Haunted Ruins, Kyoda

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 32.462	E 127 57.839

O-File Mystery: The Kyoda House

There is Okinawa and then,.... there is Okinawa. The former is one we have come to know and love. The latter is a place few talk about, but many have come to fear... a parallel world that lives in the subconscious of every Okinawan; a universe filled with the occult where wayward spirits dwell and thrive. It is a place neither here, nor on the other side. It is Okinawa's underworld.

In Nago City, in the town of Kyoda there is a lonely trail right off Highway 58 that thousands of cars pass by everyday. It leads to an empty lot on beachfront property. It was said that a two story building of European-style design once stood here for many, many years (possibly since the 1970's or much longer). All that remains now are ruins of an old brick-style kitchen and remnants of an old room. Stories have surfaced claiming sightings of ghost and spirits in and around the area. With stories like these, separating fact from fiction is almost next to impossible particularly in the internet age where rumors run more rampant than ghost themselves. Here is a summary of one internet rumor,

People of foreign nationality (possibly Americans) once lived here (Kyoda) many years ago. There was a murder and subsequently, a ghost would be seen in the area described as a foreign male wearing blue jeans and a white shirt. It was also said that a Statue of the Virgin Mary was on the premises and if one saw it, they would become faint.

It shouldn't be any surprise that many people from the western part of Nago know about this place. You just have to ask around. Like all good ghost stories, they are often perpetuated by rumor and by the youth class. Residents of Nago that I spoke to (all from different areas with ages ranging from 17 to the their mid-thirties) have heard about the hauntings in Kyoda. But a much older Okinawan man who lived in Nago does not believe there was any kind of murder, just that strange things were reported to happen in that area. He said their was speculation that these strange occurrences happen because the house stood on the same grounds where a certain 'kami-sama' or god was once worshiped. The house just happened to be in the way.

Today. Internet rumors claim it was destroyed a few years ago. The cause said to be a fire. However, during a recent visit, no visible charred marks could be seen in the surrounding rubble or vegetation. Pictures of the actual building intact could not yet be found. However, there is a Three-Part YouTube Video by famed Japanese actor and storyteller, Junji Inagawa, where he is conducting a night visit of the Kyoda House some time before it was destroyed. The video is all in Japanese. See links below.

Epilogue. Somebody out there knows something. Somebody lived in that house at one time. For now, it seems that the story behind the Kyoda House will remain in the archives of the long and growing list of unsolved mysteries, in a special section under the letter 'O'. Regardless if the hauntings are real or not, what is real is that the people of Nago believe it to be real. 

Source Links.
http://ghostmap.sakura.ne.jp/spotdetail.php?spotcd=40
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A60pcLgvHy4&feature=player_embedded (Part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuDOJpLEuWM&feature=relmfu (Part 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bynXQEz2LZ8&feature=relmfu (Part 3)

Other Okinawan Ghost Stories. The Legend of the Okukubi River,  The Legend of Nanga Bozu.

Directions. Access to the trail is right off of Highway 58, about 100 meters south of the Highway 71/58 Intersection. You can only access this trail going northbound on Highway 58. There is a small turn-off where you can pull in and park your car. This pull-off will be under the expressway. On one of the pillars near the turn-off the characters 'B-P7' can be seen in large print as seen in this photo. The entry way to the trail is right on the turn-off.

Other places of interest nearby: Kyoda's Two Giant Shisas, The Kyoda Utaki, Kyoda's Water from Hands, Todoroki Waterfall, Nago Green Bridge/Lower Creek Park, The Nangusuku Castle Ruins, Nago Museum.

"Kyoda's Hidden Fountain - The Water From Hands" (In Nago)

Kyoda's 'Water from Hands' in Nago

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Kyoda's Fountain, the "Water from Hands"

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 32.588	E 127 58.024

Kyoda's Hidden Fountain - The Water From Hands

Perhaps not so hidden now after being mapped. This is Kyoda's water fountain called the 'Water From Hands'. I say it's hidden because it was neatly tucked away in the hillside - the same hill that host the town's sacred place of prayer (see blog post, the Kyoda Utaki). As I mention before in the previous post, I probably would have never known this fountain existed if I did not walk around the corner. If you drive your car to the Utaki, you will see a large open lot to the east. If you park there, you will see the fountain. (Originally, I had parked my car near the two Giant Shisas to the southwest and walked to the Utaki - which is why I didn't see the fountain at first).

This fountain has an interesting story about its origin. Here is a translation of the sign posted next to it.

A long time ago, there was a beautiful girl who lived in Kyoda. One day wanting to do laundry, the girl approached the fountain called 'Kushinuka' located behind the village. At that time, a King from Shuri was passing through on his horse, and asked the girl to fetch him some water. The girl fetched the King some water using a nibu (ladle). The King, however, asked the girl to give him water with her bare hands. Reluctantly, she did as he requested. As she approached, he was mesmerized by her beauty and took her away back to Shuri. The town's people were devastated.

Since that day, this place has been called the 'Water From Hands". Before a bridge was built over Kyoda, there were roads along the coast. People had to take the long route through Fukuchi and XXXX (translation unknown) to get here. Along the side of this road, was where this fountain was found. The fountain was used to replenish thirsty travelers. This fountain was known for many years. Subsequently, a poem was written about it in which it was later used in a 'kumiodori' (traditional dance/play) composed by XXXX Heshikiya (translation unknown).

Note: The poem was difficult to translate with accuracy, but it does mention verbiage about the horse turning back.

Other places nearby of interest: Kyoda's Two Giant Shisas, The Kyoda Utaki, Todoroki Waterfall, Nago Green Bridge/Lower Creek Park, The Nangusuku Castle Ruins, Nago Museum.
What to bring. Umbrella for rain, camera.
Parking. See Green thumbtack above.
Other amenities. There were no bathroom facilities nearby.

"The Obscure 'Ato no Utaki' in Kyoda, Nago"

A view of Kyoda's Utaki from Highway 71

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The Obscure "Ato no Utaki" in Kyoda, Nago

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 32.591	E 127 58.013

The Obscure 'Ato no Utaki' in Kyoda, Nago

Obscure? Perhaps more of a pun than anything. This Utaki (sacred place) is quite visible from Highway 71...only if you are looking in a certain direction and from a certain place. And you may barely see it from the 58. I speculate that most people driving on the 71 heading west towards Nago tend to be focused on what's straight ahead. This is understandable. You are going downhill at this stage at a good speed. You are almost about to hit the 58. You are wary of oncoming traffic. Even if you are driving eastward, you will more than likely miss it. That's because the way this Utaki is tucked in and masked partly by nature and partly by the overgrowth vegetation along Highway 71. But when you do happen to see it, you may say to yourself, "Wow! I drive through this place all the time and I didn't know that was there!".

I posted the photo above purposely to give you an idea what you may see driving along the 71 if you are looking to the north. There is a long stairway that leads to this Utaki. At the bottom is a Torii entrance gate. An inscription on the Torii itself says it was donated by the 'Toyota Car Company'. Next to the Torii is a large stone with the Utaki's named inscribed on it. It is called the 'Ato no Utaki'. The word 'Ato' can have several meanings in Japanese. It can mean 'later' or 'after'. I am not positive of the symbolic meaning it may have here. This Utaki looks relatively modern.  Inside, were concrete platforms to place ornaments or offerings. It was a very ordinary setup.

I'm not certain if the Utaki's location has any historical significance to the town of Kyoda. BUT! perhaps what lies around the corner is why the people of Kyoda chose this location. I used the word 'obscure' earlier to describe the Kyoda Utaki. Well,...what lies close by is really a tiny hole-in-the-wall. If I didn't take time to walk around the corner, I would have never known this little place existed in a 100 years...and I'm willing to bet that most people outside of the town of Kyoda ever heard about it too. It's Kyoda's legendary fountain, called the 'Water from Hands', in which I will blog about very soon.

Parking. You will have to find open areas nearby for parking. Be aware that some neighborhood roads are narrow and not advisable you park on them.  

Other places nearby of interest. Giant Red Shisas in Kyoda, 'Water from Hands' Fountain, Todoroki Waterfall, The Nangusuku Castle Ruins, The Nago Museum.

"A Map It! Photo Moment - Kyoda's Tale of Two Shisas"

Two Tall Shisas in Kyoda of Nago City, Okinawa

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A Map It! Photo Moment - Kyoda's Tale of Two Shisas

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 32.532	E 127 57.931

A Map It! Photo Moment - Kyoda's Tale of Two Shisas

No Tall Tale to Tell Here. But every now and then, I will post a Map It! Photo Moment. I couldn't resist stopping for five minutes to take pictures of these two Shi Shi Dogs or Shisas. And I know some of you would be guilty of the same, so I thought I indulge for you.

Shisas are great for photo moments. You find them everywhere in Okinawa. Some craftsmen add their own unique style. What's impressive about these two Shisas is that they are just as tall as standard soda machine you find anywhere in Okinawa (see photo album).  Plus, their bright red color is magnetic. You can't help to stop and take a photo.

I found them as I was searching around in the town of Kyoda, a small inconspicuous town in Nago right next to the Route 71 and Route 58 intersection. They were standing in front of warehouse or craftsmen shop, perhaps placed there for good luck. Kyoda might be small town, but it does have some interesting sites to see, often not visible even to the wandering eye...to include a Legendary Fountain called the "Water from Hands". You can scroll on the map above and see two sites of interest, in which I will blog about very shortly.

Other places nearby of interest. Kyoda's 'Ato no Utaki', Water From Hands Fountain, Todoroki Watefall, The Nangusuku Castle Ruins, Nago Museum.