History behind Night-and-Day Tunnel
On a dark, eerie night in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, a solitary car is making its way through a winding mountain pass. Its driver is bound for a small tunnel, one that is known locally as the “Yahari Tonnel,” or “Night-and-Day Tunnel.” This tunnel is steeped in legend, said to be haunted by a mysterious force. What is the history behind this haunting, and what awaits travelers who dare to venture through it?
The Yahari Tonnel was originally built in the Meiji era (1868-1912). It was intended to serve as a convenient route between two nearby villages, connecting the provinces of Ehime and Kochi. To this day, the tunnel remains the shortest route between these two provinces, making it a popular choice for travelers. The length of the tunnel is only 1.6 kilometers, but it is said that it takes around 20 minutes to traverse.
The tales and legends of the Yahari Tonnel first began to surface in the early twentieth century. It is said that travelers who passed through the tunnel at night reported hearing strange sounds, including the sounds of a child crying and disembodied voices. It is also said that people have seen the ghostly figure of a girl dressed in white, sometimes accompanied by a mysterious black dog.
These stories eventually began to gain traction, making travelers think twice before venturing through the tunnel late at night. In 1990, the locals erected a statue of a temple guardian at the entrance of the tunnel in a bid to ward off any malevolent spirits.
The most famous story related to the Yahari Tonnel is that of a young girl named Tomoko. According to the legend, Tomoko was a student from Kochi who had relocated to Ehime to attend university. On the night of a full moon, she ventured through the Yahari Tonnel on her way to meet her friends. Suddenly, a mysterious black dog appeared and began to chase her. She ran in terror, but the dog managed to catch up and Tomoko died of fright in the tunnel.
Since then, her spirit is said to haunt the tunnel. Locals believe that she is unable to find her way out of the tunnel and that her spirit will still be seen by travelers today.
The Yahari Tonnel is just one of many haunting legends in Japan. It is a testament to the deep superstitions that still exist in the country, and it serves as a reminder that the past is never truly forgotten. While some of these stories may be based in folklore, the mystery and intrigue of the Yahari Tonnel still continues to draw visitors, both brave and fearful, to traverse its winding corridors.
Hotels nearby Tunnel at night
1.Twin Beach Resort Yui: https://www.twinbeach.jp/, 2-4-3 YUI, Saijo City, EHIME Pref. 799-2604, +81-894-0311, Approximate Distance: 2. 3 km
2.ANA Crowne Plaza Matsuyama: https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/en/matsuyama/mucjp/hoteldetail, 176-2 asahimachi, matsuyama City, EHIME Pref. 790-8578, +81-89 -939-2222, APPROXIMATE DISTANCE: 7.5 km
3.hotel emperor matsuyama: http://www.hotel- emperor.co.jp/, 2-7-1 asahimachi, matsuyama city, ehime premeF. 790-0017, +81-89-2211 OXIMATE DISTANCE: 8 km
4.hotel New takahashi: http://www.hotel-newtakahashi.co.jp/en/, 8-15-1 takahash, matsuyama city, ehime preff. 795-0035, +81-895-221-221 1, APPROXIMATE Distance: 9.7 km
5.hotel marlowe matsuyama: http://www.hotel-matsuyama.com/en/, 1-1-1, 1-1-1, MATSUYAMA CITY, EHIME Pref. 790-0044, +81-89- 921-0011, APPROXIMATE Distance: 10.1 km
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