Haunted House Related Project: We're looking for "Mysterious Stories & Original Ghost Illustrations"

The "Machiya Haunted House," which began in 2014, has become a regular summer event at Morioka Machiya Story Museum and is loved by many local residents!

During the 2026 "Townhouse Haunted House" event, in addition to holding a "Mysterious Storytelling Session,"
Some of the submitted "original ghost illustrations" will be made into three-dimensional figures and will appear in the haunted house!

In order to create an exciting and fun haunted house that everyone can create together, we are looking for "strange stories that you have actually experienced" and "illustrations of ghosts you would like to meet in a townhouse"!

We look forward to receiving many applications.

[Recruitment details]

① Call for mysterious stories Theme: "A mysterious story you have experienced"

Eligibility: Anyone, regardless of age

・We are looking for stories about real-life experiences that have made you wonder!
・400-1200 characters (※Short works are also welcome!)
・Writing with pencil is not permitted (writing with pen is permitted)
・For data entry, submit in Word or Excel format. ・Fill in the required information on the application form (downloadable from the website). ・Submit one work together: the "application form" and "mysterious story." ・There is no limit to the number of entries.

② Call for ghost illustrations Theme: "Ghosts you'd like to meet in a townhouse"

Eligibility: 5 to 18 years old (*Professionals will not be accepted.)

・Original, unpublished works only ・Illustration submission size is A4 (coloring and drawing method are free)
・When submitting digitally, please attach the PDF to an email. ・Fill in the required information on the application form (downloadable from the website). ・Submit one work together: the application form and ghost illustration. ・There is no limit to the number of submissions.

*Please note that some modifications may be made when creating a three-dimensional ghost.
*The submitted illustrations will be on display during the "Machiya Haunted House" event.

[Common to ① and ②]

Submission period: Monday, December 1, 2025 – Sunday, February 15, 2026 (must arrive by this date)

Entries will be submitted to Morioka Machiya Monogatari Museum, and the results will be announced by mail or email. Scheduled for April 2026. Multiple winners will be selected for each of ① and ②. *Please note that only the winners will be notified.

Application: Morioka Machiya Monogatarikan Main Building 1st floor reception (reception hours: 9:00-18:30) *Closed on the 4th Tuesday of every month

By mail, please send to Morioka Machiya Monogatarikan "Machiya Haunted House Project," 10-8 Natayacho, Morioka City, 020-0827

MAIL machiya@iwate-arts.jp Subject: "Machiya Haunted House Project"

<About the award>

We will give away a pair of tickets to the 2026 "Machiya Haunted House" and original Machiya merchandise.

① The winning works of "Mysterious Stories" will be published in "Machi Morioka" and performed at a storytelling event. ② The winners of the "Ghost Illustration" competition will be decided, and some of the works will be made into three-dimensional figures and will appear as ghosts in the "Machiya Haunted House" in 2026.

Organizer: Morioka Machiya Monogatarikan (designated manager: Iwate Art Support Center, a non-profit organization),
Co-hosted by Morioka City

*For details, please see the application guidelines on the flyer. The application form can be downloaded from the link below.

2026 Mysterious Stories & Illustrations Wanted

*Please include your address, name (pen name), age (and year if you are a student), phone number, email address, etc. on the application form.