Free Japanese horror games
Japan has produced many popular horror games, such as Silent Hill and Corpse Party. However, not all of them are accessible to the masses. Some are only available on PC, while others are locked behind paywalls. To let more people enjoy the J-horror genre, here are nine free Japanese horror games you can play on your mobile phone anywhere, anytime.
1. The Jusou
Image adapted from: EDGES LLC
The Jusou tells the tale of a house that has remained empty over the past ten years. It is only recently that there’s a strange presence detected in the house. You, being an inquisitive one, decide to investigate what’s wrong.
Image adapted from EDGES LLC
Upon stepping into the house, you’ll soon realise that there’s a gruesome story underlying the eerie residence. You’re supposed to collect letters and artefacts around the house to uncover what has happened. Through the process, you’ll also encounter challenging puzzles and horrifying jumpscares.
Available on: Android
2. 444回目のただい – Just 444 Times
Image adapted from: GLOBAL GEAR, K.K.
Japanese dolls tread a thin line between being cute and downright creepy. In the case of 444回目のただい, the doll featured in the game definitely belongs to the latter category.
Image adapted from: GLOBAL GEAR, K.K.
The horror saga begins when you’re given a seemingly innocuous doll on your birthday, only to feel increasingly creeped out by its presence.
Image adapted from: GLOBAL GEAR, K.K.
Out of fear, you attempt to discard the doll. But to do so, you have to lower the doll’s HP by collecting materials such as ropes and charms. Once the doll’s HP is empty, you can choose a location to discard it.
Image adapted from: GLOBAL GEAR, K.K.
However, each time you discard the doll, it will find its way back into the house. There are also unexpected jumpscares accompanying its return, so do be prepared for that.
Over time, as the discard count increases, the doll’s appearance will also become more and more hideous. Good luck – you’ll need it.
3. 赤い女 – The Girl In Red
Image adapted from: EDGES LLC
In 赤い女, you find yourself trapped in an old public toilet where a bloodstained suitcase hangs from the ceiling. Hidden in the toilet are various items you’ll have to find in order to uncover a gruesome tale involving the dangers of obsessive love.
Image adapted from: EDGES LLC
One of the items that can aid you greatly in understanding the story is a cell phone, through which a mysterious person will text you, send you photos, and even call you.
Image adapted from: EDGES LLC
4. 呪人(ノロイビト) – Curse
Image adapted from: Happygamer K.K.
In 呪人, you play as a female high school student, Sakura, who has the ability to sense spirits.
One day, your friend Kasumi begs you to head to an abandoned house to exorcise the spirits in there. Your initial reluctance eventually gives way when Kasumi promises to keep you safe by handing you a vial of special holy water that can be used to exorcise the evil spirits.
Image adapted from: Happygamer K.K.
Throughout the game, you’ll explore the house and attempt to use the holy water to defeat the spirits that come your way. Each time you defeat a spirit, you earn points. The points are essentially your currency – you can use them to buy special items and strengthen your exorcising abilities.
Available on: iOS
5. 学校の七不思議 – The Seven School Mysteries
Image adapted from: Mikio Samejima
学校の七不思議 is a classic horror escape game taking place in an old school campus. You’re to find various items and solve seven puzzles in order to get out of the creepy building. While the gameplay may be rather conventional, the game excels in creating a spooky ambience through chilling SFX and relatively good graphics.
Available on: iOS
6. 無影灯 – Shadowless Light
Image adapted from: Zyzax
An abandoned hospital is never a good place to land yourself in. Unfortunately, in 無影灯, you find yourself in this predicament as a newbie reporter tasked to research the location.
Image adapted from: Zyzax
Amidst haunting darkness, you will attempt to figure out what has transpired in the run-down hospital, all the while searching for a way out.
7. 体験する都市伝説 – トシデン – Urban Legends
Image adapted from: Global Gear, K.K.
Japan has many creepy urban legends, and you can learn about them firsthand through this horror simulation game called 体験する都市伝説. To put it more specifically, the game recreates popular tales using mainly first-person narration and some visuals.
Image adapted from: Global Gear, K.K.
One of the tales includes the story of the infamous Kisaragi Station. The story involves a passenger who ends up at the station one day, only to realise that the train station doesn’t exist.
Image adapted from: Global Gear, K.K.
Another tale revolves around Satoru-kun, a Japanese spirit that takes the form of a young boy. It is said that by following certain procedures, you can summon Satoru-kun and he will answer any questions you have. However, if you look at or touch him, you’d die.
Do note that the in-game text are all in Japanese. If you can’t read Japanese, you may want to have someone around who can translate the story, so that you know what’s happening.
8. Stop
Image adapted from: capsule+
Stop is an audio novel game about a mysterious lady in white, who stands before your car in the middle of the road at night, asking you to “save” her. Obviously, there’s a possibility that she’s lying and intending to harm you.
Depending on what you choose to do from then on, you’d end up with different endings.
9. 迷ぃ猫、母猫ヲ捜ス旅 – Lost Kitten’s Journey To Find Its Mother
Image adapted from: tai takana
Unlike most horror games that attempt to frighten you using jumpscares and gore, 迷ぃ猫、母猫ヲ捜ス旅 is a short game that borders on psychological horror. In other words, while you won’t be jumpscared into throwing your phone onto the ground during the game, you will still be creeped out.
In the game, you play as a kitten searching for its missing mother. On your journey, you come across weird-looking monsters that are made of hands, eyes, and even the Glico sign. Perhaps, these trippy visuals are metaphors for mankind, who can never resist petting a roaming feline.
Available on: iOS
Free Japanese horror games that will make you lose sleep at night
There’s always a sense of thrill behind scaring ourselves, and you can enjoy that rush of adrenaline with these free Japanese horror games on your phone. Do note that we’re not liable for any damage that happens to your phone if you accidentally fling it to the ground in the middle of a game.
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Cover image adapted from: EDGES LLC, GLOBAL GEAR, K.K. and capsule+