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The Devil's Sea (Dragon's Triangle)

Japan's Bermuda Triangle. Ships and planes vanish without trace. The Japanese government sent a research vessel to investigate—it disappeared too.

1952 - Present
Pacific Ocean, Japan
500+ witnesses

The Devil’s Sea (Ma no Umi in Japanese), also known as the Dragon’s Triangle, is a region of the Pacific Ocean south of Japan that has gained a reputation similar to the Bermuda Triangle. Ships and aircraft have disappeared here under mysterious circumstances, and even an investigation vessel was lost.

Location

According to documented accounts, the Devil’s Sea is generally defined as:

  • South of Tokyo, near Iwo Jima
  • Roughly bounded by Japan, Taiwan, and Guam
  • One of the “twelve vile vortices” allegedly positioned around Earth
  • An area Japanese fishermen have long considered dangerous

Famous Incidents

Kaiyo Maru No. 5 (1952): A Japanese research vessel sent to investigate the disappearances vanished with 31 crew members. Only fragments of debris were found.

Multiple Military Aircraft: During and after WWII, numerous aircraft disappeared in the area.

Fishing Vessels: Japanese fishermen have reported many boats lost in the region over decades.

Japanese Government Response

After the Kaiyo Maru No. 5 disappearance:

  • The Japanese government investigated
  • The area was declared a danger zone for shipping
  • No definitive explanation was found
  • Research continues periodically

Proposed Explanations

Volcanic Activity: The area has significant undersea volcanic activity:

  • Underwater eruptions can create sudden storms
  • Gas releases might reduce water buoyancy
  • Volcanic islands appear and disappear

Weather: The Pacific is prone to:

  • Violent, sudden storms
  • Rogue waves
  • Unpredictable conditions

Paranormal Theories:

  • Some link it to UFO activity
  • Part of the “vile vortices” theory
  • Dragon legends in Japanese culture
  • Atlantean technology

Connection to Bermuda Triangle

The Devil’s Sea is often paired with the Bermuda Triangle:

  • Roughly opposite points on the globe
  • Similar mysterious disappearances
  • Part of alleged global energy grid
  • Both on or near significant geographical features

Dragon Legends

Japanese folklore includes dragons in these waters:

  • Dragons could drag ships to the depths
  • The sea was their domain
  • Fishermen made offerings for safe passage
  • The name “Dragon’s Triangle” reflects this tradition

Skeptical View

Critics note:

  • The area has heavy shipping traffic
  • Disappearance rates may not be unusual
  • The Kaiyo Maru may have been destroyed by volcanic activity
  • Some incidents were exaggerated or misattributed

Continuing Mystery

Whatever the truth:

  • Japanese sailors still consider the area dangerous
  • Disappearances continue to be reported
  • The area remains under-studied
  • Its reputation persists

The Devil’s Sea, whether genuinely anomalous or simply dangerous, represents one of the ocean’s enduring mysteries.

Sources

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