In Japan, summer isn’t complete without visiting a haunted house or enjoying Kimodameshi to test your courage. You may see locals flocked to a temporary haunted houses in shopping malls or amusement parks, while teens enjoy Kimodameshi games in a nearby shrine, temple or graveyard.

Sound like fun? Why not join these summer attractions and enjoy the summer like the Japanese do. The following words and phrases are sure to help you enjoy Kimodameshi with locals.

“Kimodameshi wo shimasen ka?” = Let’s play Kimodameshi, shall we?

(“… wo shimasen ka?” = let’s do …, shall we?)

“Ohaka ni ikimashoo.” = Let’s go to the graveyard.

(“ohaka” = grave (yard))

“Kowai hanashi wa nigate desu.” = I can’t stand ghost stories.

(“kowai” = frightening, “hanashi” = story, “nigate desu” = can’t stand)

“Kowakute ugoke masen.” = I am so scared I can’t move.

(“tegami” = letter, “kakimashita” = I wrote)

“Furue ga tomarimasen.” = (I am so scared) I can’t stop trembling.

(“furue” = trembling, “tomari masen” = can’t stop)

“Obake ga dete kita.” = Here comes a ghost.

(“obake” = ghost, “dete kita” = come out)

“Watashi ga irukara daijoobu.” = Because I am here, everything will be all right.

(“watashi” = I / me, “irukara” = because I am here,

“daijoobu” = all right)

“Te wo nigitte ite kudasai.” = Please keep holding my hand.

(“te” = hand, “nigitte” = hold/shake, “ite” = stay/keep, “kudasai” = please)

“Tasukete!” = Help!

“Mou taeraremasen.” = I can’t take it anymore.

(“taeru” = tolerate)

“Ano obakeyashiki wa sugoku kowai rashii.” = I hear that the haunted house is really scary.

(“obakesyashiki” = haunted house, “rashii” = I hear that)

“Sono hanashi wa zotto shimasu” = That story creeps me out.

(“zotto suru” = creep out)

“Kono toshidensetsu wo shittemasuka?“ = Do you know this urban legend?

(“toshidensetsu” = urban legend, “shittemasuka?” = Do you know?)

“Sono kowai hanashi wa jitsuwa desu.” = That scary tale is based on a true story.

(“jitsuwa” = true story)

“Hitoride wa sokoni ikitakunai desu.” = I don’t want to go there alone.

(“hitoride” = alone, “ikitakunai” = don’t want to go)

related stories

• Kimodameshi: A bone-chilling summer in Japan
• Did you know: Kimodameshi tests your courage
• Japanese scary urban legends: Are you brave enough to make it to the end?
• Uncovering Misawa ghostly mysteries, Part II