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Hello everyone. Today, a large typhoon is passing through Japan. It made landfall last night, but it seems the heavy rain and strong winds are still continuing. There is currently a heavy rain and strong wind warning issued for my area here in Yokohama.

In Japan, staying inside the house like this is called Okomori (cozying up indoors). If you are wondering how to spend your Okomori time, I highly recommend diving into the world of Japanese horror or mystery novels. The sound of the howling wind and the heavy rain beating against the windows makes the perfect background music for reading a scary story.

The "Humidity" of Japanese Horror Unlike many Western horror stories that often rely on sudden jump scares or supernatural elements, Japanese horror (J-Horror) is famous for its psychological dread. It is often described as having a "high humidity." It’s a creeping, lingering fear that slowly gets under your skin, exploring the deepest darkness of the human heart.

My Personal Recommendation: Yusuke Kishi's "The Black House" If you are looking for a masterpiece to start with, my personal recommendation is The Black House (Kuroi Ie) by Yusuke Kishi. Rather than ghosts, it is a masterpiece that depicts the ultimate, realistic terror brought about by human malice. This story, which begins when a life insurance investigator gets involved with a deeply disturbing family, is filled with overwhelming suspense—once I started reading, I couldn't stop turning the pages. (An English translated version is also available for this book!)

Even on days other than today, when spending time during Japan's rainy and typhoon-prone autumn, how about brewing a hot cup of tea and letting a Japanese mystery novel transport you to another world until the storm passes? If you have any great horror or mystery book recommendations, please let me know!