The Hanakawado neighborhood of Asakusa isn’t quite among its tourist attractions, but it’s home to a haunting feudal-era legend of a serial killer. Back in the 6th century, around the time Sensō-ji Temple was founded, the area was known as Asaji-ga-hara, a wasteland of cogongrass. Barely developed, travelers had to resort to staying at the one old hut that stood by a lake after dark to avoid getting lost or robbed—unaware that a far worse fate awaited them. Living in the crumbling house were an old woman nicknamed the “Hag”…
