A truly bizarre incident has been unfolding in Okinawa, Japan — the kind of story that sounds like a Netflix crime series, but it actually happened in a quiet residential neighborhood.
In early summer, a group of middle and high school students sneaked into an abandoned house for a nighttime “ghost challenge,” only to discover more than 100 million yen in cash (approx. USD 650,000).
Some of them allegedly took portions of the money and used it for entertainment — and even to purchase a dangerous illegal drug known among local teens as “Zombie Tobacco.”
Here’s a clear and detailed breakdown of this mysterious case that’s capturing nationwide attention in Japan.
■ What Happened? – A Quick Overview
- The abandoned house is located on mainland Okinawa in a quiet residential area.
- Teenagers entered the home in May–June for a “kimodameshi,” a Japanese-style ghost-hunting dare.
- Inside, they found stacks of cash totaling over 100 million yen.
- The discovery quickly spread among friends, eventually involving dozens of teens.
- Some took tens of thousands of yen — one even over a million yen.
- The money was reportedly used for leisure and possibly for buying “Zombie Tobacco” (Etomidate).
- Adults became suspicious when they saw teens carrying unusually large amounts of cash.
- Police began interviewing the teens and investigating the source of the money.
- The house has been unoccupied for at least 20 years.
- Authorities have now sealed off the property with warning tape and “No Entry” signage.
Already, this doesn’t sound like a normal criminal case. It’s full of unanswered questions and strange details.
■ The Biggest Mystery: Why Was 100 Million Yen Left Inside an Abandoned House?
This is the point that has confused everyone in Japan.
An empty home, untouched for decades, holding a massive amount of cash — it simply doesn’t happen in normal circumstances.
Possible explanations include:
● 1. Long-forgotten inheritance or money left behind by an elderly owner
In Japan, especially in rural and island regions, some older residents still keep large amounts of cash at home.
● 2. Money with a shady background
Hidden funds from criminal activity?
Police haven’t confirmed anything, but this possibility is being discussed.
● 3. A family dispute leading to an untouched property
“Okinawa has one of the highest abandoned-house rates in Japan,” due to inheritance issues and families relocating to mainland Japan.
A home being left untouched for decades is sadly not rare.
Still, 100 million yen is far from ordinary.
■ Why Teens Entered the House in the First Place: The Kimodameshi Culture
In Okinawa — and Japan in general — teens sometimes go on “kimodameshi,” a local tradition where friends explore abandoned places at night to test their courage.
This incident started as one of those harmless dares.
But once the teens found the cash, the situation escalated:
- Word spread through group chats
- More teens came repeatedly
- Cash was taken in multiple visits
It snowballed into a much larger case almost overnight.
■ What Is “Zombie Tobacco”? – A Dangerous Trend Among Some Teens
“Zombie Tobacco” is a nickname used in Okinawa for Etomidate, a powerful anesthetic that becomes dangerous when smoked.
Effects include:
- Loss of motor control
- Zombie-like walking and behavior
- Memory blackout
- Risk of dependency
- Full illegality under Japan’s drug regulations
The fact that stolen cash might have been used to buy such a substance adds another disturbing layer to the story.
■ How the Case Was Discovered
An adult in the community noticed a teenager carrying unusually large amounts of cash — far too much for someone their age.
That sparked concern and eventually led to:
- A report to police
- Investigation into the teenagers
- Interviews and evidence gathering
- Discovery of repeated visits to the abandoned house
From there, the case rapidly expanded.
■ The Abandoned House: Over 20 Years Unoccupied
Land records and local sources indicate:
- The property had no residents for at least two decades
- No maintenance
- No renovations
- No known heirs currently living there
In Japan, especially in Okinawa, long-term abandoned homes are increasingly common due to:
- Aging population
- Difficult inheritance procedures
- Migration of families to other prefectures
This case highlights the growing national issue of vacant homes and the risks they pose.
■ The Situation Today (as of November 2025)
- The site is cordoned off with police tape
- “No Entry” signs are posted on the gate
- Police are still interviewing the dozens of involved teens
- The original owner and the source of the cash remain unknown
- Possible charges include trespassing, theft, and drug violations
In short: the mystery is far from solved.
■ Conclusion: A Real-Life Mystery Unfolding in Okinawa
This case combines several layers of modern Japanese issues:
- Youth crime
- Drug access among teens
- The rise of vacant homes
- Unclaimed inheritance
- Social media–driven group behavior
With elements like:
- A ghost-hunt dare
- A hidden fortune
- A banned drug
- And an abandoned property in a quiet neighborhood
…it reads almost like a fiction story.
But it’s real — and still developing.
I will update this post if more information becomes available.
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