Obake Overflow!

Obake おばけ means ghost in Japanese, and while I should probably wait until October to post all these links (or at least summer, since that's typically when ghosts make their appearance in Japan), I'm inspired to have them materialize now.

First off is the lovely site "The Obakemono Project" by SH Morgan. Really lovely vector art (some of which can be ordered off his DeviantArt website complete with accompanying stories in english (and source material too!).
Another very informative site is this article by Mangajin written by Professor Tim Screech from the University of London. He classifies different kinds of obake (such as Bakemono, Yokai, Yurei, and Oni), and includes a few of the famous tales.
One of my favorite Ukiyo-e artists is Yoshitoshi Taiso, and his collection of 36 Ghosts is stunning and terrifying. Hokusai, too, has a number of ghost illustrations, but they are scattered about. Visit your library, yo!

And to think I used to live next to this place.

My favorite named theme park is in Gifu Prefecture, and is located about 20 minutes drive from where I used to live. It's called The Site of Reversible Destiny in Yoro Park. Much to my chagrin, I never actually went here because I was afraid of changing my destiny. Things were going ok (although perhaps some of my friends will tell you otherwise) and were very interesting, but it looks like I really missed out. The park's focus is an experience of the unexpected that will "give you many opportunities to rethink your physical and spiritual orientation to the world." Other features include the Critical Resemblance House and Trajectory Membrane Gate. There are some interesting photos of it on Flickr as well