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Zoey Zhang

A company in Tokyo specialises in investigating haunted houses, offering exorcisms to ease tenants' fears and protect the value of the properties.
Experts use equipment to detect abnormalities in properties where deaths have occurred.
Japanese folklore warns that unsettled spirits can linger and bring bad luck, and real estate law requires sellers to disclose any tragedies.
As property prices rise, some homes with a “bad aura” are gaining appeal.

Such haunted properties can reportedly see their prices drop by 10 to 20 per cent.
In 2022, real property agent Kazutoshi Kodama founded Kachimode, a company specialising in investigating “ghost houses”.
As of September, Kachimode had inspected 196 such properties according to their website.
In an interview with the Japanese media outlet, Toyo Keizai, Kodama said that his team usually spends several days at each property, using scientific methods to check for abnormalities.

Their tools include video and audio recorders, electromagnetic field meters, and thermal cameras.
They also monitor factors like room temperature, humidity, noise, air pressure and airflow.
The company then issues a certificate confirming that “no paranormal phenomena” were found.
Last year, the price for such an inspection was 50,000 yen (US$340).

Based on their website, the most recent price for such an inspection ranges from 80,000 to 150,000 (US$540 to US$1,000) per day.
One case involved a house in Chiba prefecture where a woman had taken her own life and her son died alone there.
During Kodama’s investigation, his laptop suddenly shut down and would not restart, likely due to a hardware issue.
He had spent nearly 20 nights in the house and found only minor electromagnetic anomalies.
The house is still reportedly under observation, and no final certificate has been issued.
In another case, a father who had lost his daughter asked Kodama: “If she appears in the room, please let me know.”
After no abnormalities were found, the father simply thanked him.
Kodama said: “Understanding the reason behind the death, combined with renovation, cleaning and transparent investigation, can heal the ‘psychological shadows’.”

In Japan, some homeowners also invite Buddhist monks or Shinto priests for exorcisms.
Tokyo’s Tenko-ji Temple charges up to 150,000 yen (US$1,000) for such rites.
Others hire professional “haunted-house cleansers” to live in the property temporarily and disperse negative energy.
One online observer of the story said: “Kodama’s company provides spiritual comfort. He is a remarkable investigator and exorcist, clearing fears that haunt people’s minds.”
“Kodama is so brave. Even though I believe in science, haunted houses still give me the creeps,” wrote another.
If you have suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who does, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or +1 800 273 8255. For a list of other nations’ helplines, see this page.


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News

People & Culture

Abnormality-detecting firm uses range of equipment to detect ‘negative energy’, expel ‘psychological shadows’


Abnormality-detecting firm uses range of equipment to detect ‘negative energy’, expel ‘psychological shadows’.


Japan

Japanese firm inspects haunted properties, performs exorcisms for tenant reassurance

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Abnormality-detecting firm uses range of equipment to detect ‘negative energy’, expel ‘psychological shadows’

Abnormality-detecting firm uses range of equipment to detect ‘negative energy’, expel ‘psychological shadows’