Imagine a place where beauty meets darkness. That place is Toyama Park. It is a park with a hidden story. Today, we will uncover the secrets of Toyama Park.
Toyama Park is near Shinjuku Station. By day, it is a family friendly park. But at night, it transforms into something eerie. Locals whisper tales of unsettling events. Some claim to hear disembodied voices. These voices cry from Hakone Yama the park’s small hill. What makes this park so haunted?
The answer lies in its past. During World War II, this area housed medical facilities. Rumors say one facility was a dumping ground. It was for the infamous Imperial Army’s Unit 731. This unit conducted horrific biological and chemical experiments in Harbin China.
Unit 731 experimented on prisoners of war. Most were Chinese. But some victims were Russian European and Mongolian. Scientists infected prisoners with diseases. They then performed dissections on them without anesthesia. The bodies were later transported to Tokyo. They were analyzed. Many bodies were dumped in a mass grave. This grave is where Toyama Park now stands.
The actions at this site rivaled Nazi experiments. Japanese novelist Seiichi Morimura compared Unit 731 to Auschwitz. Even today, secrecy surrounds these events. Most involved have remained silent.
However, in 2006, a nurse named Toyo Iishi came forward. At 88 years old, she shared her story. She helped bury bodies from the experiments. About 20 years ago, hundreds of bones were unearthed. Fragments of victims still surface.
Beyond physical remains, paranormal activity occurs. Ghost hunters visit Toyama Park’s eastern hill. They hope to hear the sobbing man. Others have seen “hitodama”. It is a fiery ball of light representing a separated soul.
Toyama Park opened in 1954. It is divided into two areas. There is the Hakoneyama District and the Okubo District. Before the park, there was a large Japanese garden. It was called “Toyama Mountain Cottage”. From 1873 to 1945, there was also a Military Academy. A monument commemorates it.
In July 1989, many human bones were found. The bones had saw marks and drill holes. It is believed that they were prisoners of war who were experimented on. Some say they hear sobbing sounds when climbing Mount Hakone. Some people also believe that spirit photography is possible here. The spirits have strong energies.
In 1668, the Toyama Villa was built. It belonged to the Owari branch of the Tokugawa family. The 15th Tokugawa shogun called it “the most magnificent garden under the sun.” In 1874, the Toyama Army College was built.
In 1945, U.S. bombings devastated the area. Nurse Ishii Toyo witnessed mass graves being dug. They were for corpses and body parts. These remains may connect to Unit 731. The U.S. granted immunity to Unit 731 for their findings.
Toyama Park remains a place of reflection. It reminds us of the past. It also challenges us to remember the human cost of war. As you leave today consider the stories buried beneath your feet. These stories are a stark reminder of the shadows that linger.