Category
Yokai
222 creatures
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Abura-akago
油赤子
Abura-akago is described as the ghost or spirit of an infant that appears at night.
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Abura-bō
油坊
It blends elements of ghostly fire and spectral apparitions found in regional legends.
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Abura-bō
油坊
Associated with the remote mountain passes of Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu.
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Akaname
垢嘗
Akaname (垢嘗) is one of the more bizarre and unsettling yōkai from Japanese folklore.
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Akashita
赤舌
Known for its dramatic appearances and symbolic role as a punisher of greed and corruption.
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Akateko
赤手児
A mysterious red hand that dangles from trees, unsettling travelers and guarding sacred paths.
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Akkorokamui
アッコロカムイ
A colossal sea monster from Ainu lore, feared and revered as a divine octopus-like guardian of the ocean.
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Akurojin-no-hi
悪路神の火
A ghostly fire from Mie Prefecture that haunts desolate mountain paths and brings misfortune to travelers.
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Amazake-babaa
甘酒婆
An eerie old woman who whispers for sweet sake and leaves sickness in her wake if you respond.
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Amefurikozō
雨降小僧
A cheerful little boy spirit who delights in the rain, sometimes causing showers or playful mischief.
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Amemasu
アメマス
A powerful fish- or whale-like beast from Ainu folklore, said to cause earthquakes and drag boats beneath lakes.
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Ameonna
雨女
A mysterious woman yokai who brings rain wherever she walks—seen as both a gentle blessing and a gloomy curse.
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Amikiri
網切
A mischief-making spirit known for slicing through fishing nets and mosquito screens in the night.
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Amorōnagu
アモロナグ
A celestial maiden from Amami Ōshima whose radiant form bridges heaven and island folklore.
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Aoandon
青行燈
The eerie spirit of the blue lantern, said to appear at the end of a hundred ghost stories told by candlelight.
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Aobōzu
青坊主
A mysterious blue-skinned monk who roams the mountains, luring children away from safety and into the shadows.
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Aonyōbō
青女房
A spectral court lady draped in blue, haunting abandoned noble estates with memories of a lost past.
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Aosaginohi
青鷺の火
A ghostly blue heron said to shimmer with supernatural fire as it moves through swamps and riverbanks.
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Arikura-no-baba
有倉の婆
A mysterious old woman with magical powers, said to dwell in the mountains and test travelers with wisdom or trickery.
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Ashiaraiyashiki
足洗邸
A giant foot crashes into a home demanding to be washed—or unleashes chaos if ignored.
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Ashimagari
足曲がり
A spirit known to trip travelers by entangling their legs—an invisible prankster of forest paths.
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Ashinagatenaga
足長手長
A legendary yokai pair—one with long legs, the other with long arms—who fish cooperatively in deep coastal waters.
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Asobibi
遊火
A mysterious flickering flame from Kōchi Prefecture said to drift playfully through the night fields.
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Ato-oi-kozō
後追い小僧
An invisible spirit said to follow people quietly—especially at night near temples or graveyards.
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Ayakashi
綾かし
A sea spirit often synonymous with the ikuchi — a massive eel-like yokai that coats ships in oily residue.
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Ayakashi-no-ayashibi
綾かしの怪火
A ghostly flame seen in Ishikawa Prefecture, often considered a spiritual warning or wandering soul.
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Azukiarai
小豆洗い
A strange spirit known for making eerie bean-washing sounds near rivers and wells late at night.
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Azukibabaa
小豆婆々
A terrifying bean-grinding hag who lures victims with sound and devours them deep in the forest.
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Azukitogi
小豆とぎ
A regional name for Azukiarai — the mysterious spirit known for grinding beans by streams at night.
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Bake-kujira
化鯨
A ghostly whale yokai said to appear off the coast of western Japan. Surrounded by strange birds and fish, it brings misfortune and plagues to those who witness it. Bake-kujira is believed to be the spirit of a whale killed unjustly.
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Bakezōri
化け草履
A lively spirit formed from an old straw sandal, the Bakezōri comes to life when neglected. It runs about the house at night chanting and causing playful mischief.
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Baku
獏
A mystical creature that feeds on nightmares, the Baku is often invoked by children to protect their dreams. It has a composite form and brings good fortune.
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Basan
バサン
A mythical chicken-like beast that breathes ghostly fire and appears silently in the mountains of Ehime Prefecture, startling those who spot it.
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Betobeto-san
べとべとさん
An invisible spirit from Japanese folklore known to follow travelers at night, making eerie footstep sounds. Though unseen, it causes unease with its audible presence. To dispel it, one must politely say, “Please, go ahead, Betobeto-san.”
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Binbōgami
貧乏神
A malevolent spirit of poverty that brings misfortune and financial ruin to households it inhabits.
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Biwa-bokuboku
琵琶牧々
A haunted biwa (Japanese lute) that takes on a ghostly form, often appearing when neglected or unused.
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Bunbuku Chagama
分福茶釜
A beloved tale of a magical tanuki who disguises itself as a teakettle to help a kind man prosper.
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Buruburu
ぶるぶる
A trembling spirit known to instill an intense sensation of fear or chills, especially when people enter haunted or cursed places.
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Cho Hakkai
猪八戒
A pig-faced spirit based on Zhu Bajie from Journey to the West—lazy, lustful, yet ultimately loyal and good-hearted.
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Chōchinobake
提灯お化け
A haunted paper lantern yokai with a single eye and long tongue, brought to life through age or neglect, often startling those who pass by.
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Daidarabocchi
ダイダラボッチ
A titanic giant said to have shaped Japan’s geography by moving mountains and forming lakes with his footsteps.
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Daitengu
大天狗
The most powerful class of tengu, Daitengu are mighty mountain spirits and masters of magic and swordplay, each ruling over a sacred peak.
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Datsue-ba
奪衣婆
An old crone who waits at the banks of the Sanzu River in the underworld, stripping garments from the souls of the recently deceased as punishment for their earthly sins.
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Dodomeki
百々目鬼
A cursed female spirit whose arms are covered in hundreds of eyes — the result of a lifetime of pickpocketing and dishonesty.
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Dorotabō
泥田坊
A sorrowful spirit of a farmer who rises from the muddy rice paddies at night, lamenting the loss and neglect of his land.
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Enenra
煙々羅
A mysterious yokai composed entirely of smoke, said to rise from burning incense or flames, appearing only to those with a pure heart.
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Eritate-goromo
襟立衣
The mystical robes worn by Sōjōbō, the tengu king of Mount Kurama, believed to grant supernatural speed and invisibility.
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Futakuchi-onna
二口女
A woman cursed with a second, ravenous mouth on the back of her head, hidden beneath her hair and demanding constant feeding.
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Gagoze
元興寺
A powerful demon once said to haunt Gangō-ji Temple in Nara, attacking young priests until it was ultimately vanquished by a courageous boy.
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Gaki
餓鬼
In Buddhist belief, Gaki are tormented spirits consumed by insatiable hunger, often depicted with distended bellies and thin necks, doomed to wander in search of spiritual release.
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Gangi-kozō
岸小僧
Gangi-kozō is a fish-loving water yokai often seen lurking near riverbanks or harbor steps, quietly watching for its next slippery meal.
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Gashadokuro
がしゃどくろ
Gashadokuro is a massive, night-wandering skeleton made from the bones of those who died without burial. It stalks the land in silence, seeking to catch and devour lone travelers.
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Goryō
御霊
Goryō are vengeful spirits of the dead, often aristocrats or nobles who died with deep resentment. Their wrath is believed to bring misfortune, disease, or disasters unless properly appeased through rituals and shrines.
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Guhin
狗賓
Guhin is a variant of the tengu, often portrayed with canine features and known for its unpredictable temperament—sometimes dangerous, sometimes protective.
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Gyūki
牛鬼
Gyūki, also known as Ushi-oni, is a fearsome ox-headed demon from western Japan, often depicted with a spider-like or monstrous body and feared for its malevolent nature.
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Hakutaku
白沢
A wise beast from Chinese mythology known as Bai Ze in Chinese, who appeared to the emperor to reveal the names and attributes of 11,520 kinds of demons.
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Hakuzōsu
白蔵主
A clever fox yokai known for disguising itself as a Buddhist priest to deceive humans.
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Hannya
般若
A terrifying mask used in Noh theater representing a woman turned demon from jealousy and rage.
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Harionago
針女
A beautiful yet deadly yokai with barbed, prehensile hair used to ensnare and kill unsuspecting men.
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Hayatarō
隼太郎
A legendary dog from Zenkō-ji Temple, famous for defeating the sarugami—a monkey god who demanded human sacrifices.
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Heikegani
平家蟹
These crabs bear faces resembling fallen Heike warriors, said to embody the spirits of those who perished in the Battle of Dan-no-ura.
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Hibagon
ヒバゴン
A mysterious, ape-like creature seen in the forests of Hiroshima Prefecture, often considered Japan’s version of Bigfoot.
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Hiderigami
日照り神
A fearsome god or spirit responsible for droughts. It is said to dry up the land wherever it appears, withering crops and causing famine.
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Hihi
狒々
A monstrous baboon-like creature with sharp claws and incredible strength, said to dwell in the mountains and attack travelers.
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Hitodama
人魂
A mysterious glowing orb believed to be the soul of a recently deceased person, floating through the night air.
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Hitotsume-kozō
一つ目小僧
A cyclopean childlike spirit who startles humans by suddenly appearing with a single eye in the center of its face.
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Hoji
霍之
The malevolent spirit of Tamamo-no-Mae, a legendary fox spirit who caused chaos and seduced emperors before being defeated and lingering as a curse.
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Hōkō
彭侯
A legendary dog-like spirit that inhabits sacred trees, believed to grant blessings and protection to those who honor the forest.
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Hone-onna
骨女
A ghostly woman who appears beautiful at first but is truly a skeleton; she visits her former lover and drains his life.
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Hyakki Yakō
百鬼夜行
A legendary night procession of a hundred demons and spirits. Anyone witnessing it without protection would meet a dreadful fate. The event is often depicted in Japanese scrolls and folklore as a surreal and dangerous parade through the streets.
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Hyakume
百目
A strange yokai covered in countless blinking eyes. It guards sacred places and temples from intruders, silently watching from the shadows. Each eye is said to hold supernatural powers.
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Hyōtan-kozō
瓢箪小僧
A playful yokai that resembles a small child carrying a gourd. Though harmless, it may startle passersby at night by popping out from shadows.
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Ibaraki-dōji
茨木童子
A fearsome oni who guarded the Rashomon gate and served as Shuten-dōji’s most loyal companion.
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Ichimoku-nyūdō
一目入道
A towering one-eyed monk-like spirit from Sado Island, known to appear at night and terrify travelers with its stare.
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Ikuchi
イクチ
A mysterious sea serpent from Japanese legend that travels over boats at sea, trailing oily slime and causing panic among sailors.
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Ippon-datara
一本だたら
A one-legged mountain spirit from the Kii Peninsula, known for hopping through the snow and frightening villagers during winter.
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Isonade
磯撫
A fish-like sea monster with a barb-covered tail, said to lurk off the coasts of western Japan and attack ships with stealth and violence.
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Itsumaden
いつまでん
A monstrous bird with a human face and snake-like body that appeared over the capital in the Taiheiki, crying “Until when?” as a symbol of unrest and unavenged spirits.
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Ittan-momen
一反木綿
A flying strip of cloth from Kagoshima Prefecture, Ittan-momen is a yokai that wraps around the faces of people to suffocate them, especially when they walk alone at night.
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Iwana-bōzu
岩魚坊主
A mysterious yokai that resembles a Buddhist monk but is believed to be a transformed char fish, appearing along rivers in the mountains.
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Jakotsu-babaa
蛇骨婆
An ancient, hunchbacked woman said to guard snake mounds and cursed bones deep within the mountains.
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Jatai
蛇帯
A long obi (kimono sash) that has transformed into a vengeful spirit, often taking the form of a snake.
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Jinmenju
人面樹
A mysterious tree said to grow flowers with human faces that laugh and smile instead of speaking.
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Jinmenken
人面犬
An eerie dog with a human face, said to be seen at night wandering streets and highways. It can speak, but prefers to be left alone.
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Jishin-namazu
地震鯰
A giant catfish said to dwell beneath the earth, whose movements are believed to cause earthquakes in Japanese mythology.
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Jorōgumo
絡新婦
A beautiful woman who transforms into a deadly spider to lure and consume unsuspecting victims, often appearing near waterfalls or secluded locations.
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Jubokko
樹木子
A tree that grows in battlefields and drinks the blood of the dead, attacking anyone who passes too close.
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Kage-onna
影女
The shadow of a mysterious woman that appears on the paper doors of haunted houses.
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Kahaku
河伯
Another name for the kappa—a mischievous and dangerous water-dwelling yokai, revered and feared in Japanese folklore.
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Kamaitachi
鎌鼬
Fast-moving weasel spirits with sickle-like claws, known for slashing travelers without warning or leaving blood.
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Kamikiri
髪切り
A small yokai known for silently sneaking up and cutting people’s hair, often as a prank or punishment for vanity.
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Kanbari-nyūdō
かんばり入道
A mysterious spirit said to lurk in bathrooms on New Year’s Eve, frightening those who enter or spying from the shadows.
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Kanedama
金玉
A rare yokai spirit representing wealth and prosperity, appearing as a glowing orb of gold protected by supernatural forces.
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Kappa
河童
One of the most iconic Japanese yokai, the Kappa is a mischievous water spirit known for its bowl-shaped head, sumo skills, and love of cucumbers.
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Karasu-tengu
烏天狗
Karasu-tengu is a crow-headed tengu yokai, known as a mountain warrior spirit with a sharp beak, black wings, and mastery of martial arts.
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Kasa-obake
傘お化け
Kasa-obake is a tsukumogami yokai taking the form of a one-eyed paper umbrella with a hopping leg and a long tongue.
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Kasha
火車
Kasha is a fiery, cat-like demon from Japanese folklore known for stealing corpses from funerals or graveyards, often descending from the sky with flames.
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Kashanbō
かしゃんぼう
Kashanbō are a winter variant of kappa that migrate into the mountains, often associated with cold-weather mischief and strange mountain legends.
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Katawa-guruma
片輪車
Katawa-guruma is a flaming wheel yokai bearing a tormented woman, said to be a cursed soul punished for her sins. It haunts dark roads, wailing through the night.
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Katsura-otoko
桂男
Katsura-otoko is a mysterious lunar being said to dwell on the moon, tending a sacred katsura tree. He is portrayed as a beautiful, melancholic man, representing celestial isolation and unearthly beauty.
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Kawa-akago
川赤子
Kawa-akago is a river-dwelling yokai that takes the form of a crying baby. It lures passersby close to the water, often resulting in danger or drowning. This eerie creature is both tragic and terrifying.
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Kawa-uso
川獺
Kawa-uso is a mischievous river otter yokai known for its shapeshifting powers and playful tricks on humans. It often impersonates people and lures them into strange or humorous situations by rivers.
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Kawa-zaru
川猿
Kawa-zaru is a foul-smelling, cowardly river creature from Japanese folklore. Unlike its cousin the kappa, it avoids confrontation and is known for fleeing and hiding from humans.
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Kerakera-onna
けらけら女
Kerakera-onna is a towering yokai woman who appears in the sky, laughing maniacally. Her laughter is said to spread dread and bring misfortune to those who hear it.
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Kesaran-pasaran
ケサランパサラン
Kesaran-pasaran is a tiny white fluffball spirit said to float through the air and bring good fortune to those who capture it.
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Keukegen
毛羽毛現
Keukegen is a small, hairy yokai believed to bring disease and bad luck. It hides in dirty corners of homes until the space is cleaned.
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Kijimunaa
キジムナー
Kijimunaa is a red-haired tree sprite from Okinawa known for its mischievous tricks and deep connection to banyan trees.
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Kijo
鬼女
Kijo are women in Japanese folklore who have transformed into terrifying demons, often driven by jealousy, betrayal, or deep sorrow.
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Kirin
麒麟
Kirin is the Japanese name for the mythical Qilin, a creature of peace, wisdom, and prosperity. Often called the Chinese unicorn, it combines features of deer, dragon, and ox.
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Kitsune-Tsuki
狐憑き
A condition in Japanese folklore where a person is believed to be possessed by a fox spirit, causing erratic behavior or illness.
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Kiyohime
清姫
A woman from Japanese folklore who transformed into a serpent demon after being spurned by the monk Anchin, driven by unrequited love and burning rage.
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Kodama
木霊
Tree spirits from Japanese folklore that dwell in ancient or sacred trees. Disturbing a Kodama’s tree is said to bring terrible misfortune.
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Kokakuchō
子鶴鳥
A mythical bird believed to be the spirit of a mother who died in childbirth, endlessly crying for her child. It echoes maternal sorrow and haunting presence in Japanese folklore.
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Koma-inu
狛犬
Lion-dog guardians that stand at the entrance of temples and shrines across Japan. They protect against evil and symbolize purity, power, and divine presence.
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Konaki-Jijii
子泣き爺
A deceptive spirit that appears as a crying child or old man. When picked up, it becomes unbearably heavy and crushes the victim.
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Konoha-tengu
木の葉天狗
A leaf-dwelling tengu known for its bird-like appearance and trickster behavior, commonly found in forest folklore.
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Koropokkuru
コロポックル
Tiny forest people from Ainu folklore who lived under butterbur leaves and disappeared after being betrayed by humans.
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Kosode-no-te
小袖の手
A haunted kosode kimono from Japanese folklore, inhabited by ghostly hands that reach out from its sleeves.
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Kuchisake-onna
口裂け女
A chilling urban legend of a woman with a slit mouth who asks “Am I pretty?”—with deadly consequences depending on your answer.
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Kuda-gitsune
管狐
A tiny, fox-like spirit used by sorcerers in Japanese folklore for magical purposes such as possession, spying, and mischief.
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Kurabokko
蔵ぼっこ
A guardian spirit believed to inhabit Japanese warehouses, protecting stored goods and ensuring prosperity.
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Kurage-no-hinotama
クラゲの火の玉
A ghostly fireball yokai resembling a jellyfish that drifts silently through the air, believed to be a soul lost at sea.
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Kyōkotsu
狂骨
A vengeful skeletal spirit that rises from wells where unburied corpses were cast away, seeking justice and remembrance.
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Kyūbi-no-kitsune
九尾の狐
A legendary nine-tailed fox with immense magical power, associated with both divine protection and dangerous seduction.
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Kyūketsuki
吸血鬼
The Japanese vampire, inspired by Western legends, known for drinking blood and blending superstition with modern horror.
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Maikubi
舞首
The quarreling severed heads of three miscreants, doomed to argue eternally as a punishment for their crimes.
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Makura-gaeshi
枕返し
A mischievous spirit known for flipping or moving pillows while people sleep, sometimes causing mysterious discomfort or dreams.
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Mekurabe
目競
A swarm of disembodied skulls that gather and multiply, known for terrifying Taira no Kiyomori in ancient Japanese legends.
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Miage-nyūdō
見上げ入道
A mysterious yokai that grows taller the more you look up at it—known to cause fear and disorientation in travelers.
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Mikoshi-nyūdō
見越し入道
A terrifying yokai known to grow taller the more you look up at it—often mistaken for Miage-nyūdō, but with a more violent nature.
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Mizuchi
蛟
A serpentine water dragon from Japanese legend, said to dwell in rivers and attack those who pollute or approach its domain.
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Mokumokuren
目目連
A haunted yōkai made of paper doors filled with unblinking eyes, watching anyone who enters abandoned buildings.
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Momonjii
百々爺
A mysterious old man yokai said to appear at every fork in the road, testing or deceiving travelers.
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Morinji-no-kama
茂林寺の釜
A famous tale about a magical teakettle that transforms into a tanuki, known from Morinji Temple in Gunma Prefecture.
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Mōryō
魍魎
A malevolent spirit known for feasting on corpses, often associated with graveyards and the dead. Mōryō are said to dwell in mountains and forests and dig up graves to devour the dead.
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Mujina
貉
Mujina are shapeshifting badgers known in Japanese folklore for their ability to transform into human forms, especially faceless ghosts known as noppera-bō.
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Myōbu
命婦
Myōbu is a title used for noblewomen at the imperial court, but in folklore, it is also a respectful term for fox spirits that serve the deity Inari.
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Namahage
生剥
Ritual ogres from the Oga Peninsula, used in New Year traditions to scare laziness out of children and adults.
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Namazu
鯰
A giant catfish from Japanese mythology believed to cause earthquakes when it thrashes about underground.
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Nando-baba
納戸婆
An old-woman spirit who hides under the floor in abandoned storerooms and startles or haunts intruders.
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Narikama
鳴釜
A kettle spirit whose ringing sound is a good omen or a sign of divine presence in Japanese folklore.
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Nebutori
寝太り
A spook-disease which causes a woman to grow immensely fat and lethargic while sleeping, often attributed to spiritual interference.
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Nekomusume
猫娘
A cat yokai in the form of a young girl, blending innocence with mysterious feline powers.
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Nikusui
肉吸い
A monster which appears as a young woman and sucks all of the flesh off of its victim's body.
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Ningyo
人魚
A fish person or mermaid in Japanese folklore, said to grant longevity if eaten, but also brings misfortune.
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Nobusuma
のぶすま
A supernatural wall or flying squirrel-like yokai that blocks travelers or glides across the night sky.
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Noppera-bō
のっぺら坊
A faceless ghost that appears in human form before revealing a blank, featureless face to unsuspecting victims.
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Nozuchi
野槌
Another name for the tsuchinoko serpent, a snake-like creature said to inhabit the mountainous regions of Japan, known for its rare sightings and mythical status.
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Nue
鵺
A monkey-headed, tiger-bodied, snake-tailed monster that plagued the emperor with nightmares in the Heike Monogatari.
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Nukekubi
抜け首
A vicious human-like monster whose head detaches from its body and flies through the night in search of prey.
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Nuppefuhofu
ぬっぺふほふ
An animated lump of decaying human flesh that wanders abandoned places, emitting a horrific stench.
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Nurarihyon
ぬらりひょん
A mysterious yokai that sneaks into homes during busy times, acting like the master of the house and sipping tea uninvited.
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Nure-onna
濡女
A deceptive yokai with the body of a snake and the head of a woman. She appears near the shore, luring victims with a fake baby.
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Nuribotoke
塗仏
A disturbing yokai resembling a decayed blackened corpse with dangling eyeballs, said to sneak out of Buddhist altars at night.
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Nurikabe
ぬりかべ
A ghostly wall yokai that blocks the path of nighttime travelers, appearing as an invisible barrier in Japanese folklore.
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Nyūbachibō
乳鉢坊
A tsukumogami born from an old mortar, the Nyūbachibō is a kitchen spirit that comes to life when neglected or disrespected.
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Oboro-guruma
朧車
Oboro-guruma is a ghostly oxcart that appears at night, bearing the face of a tormented driver. It is said to creak eerily and herald misfortune.
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Ohaguro-bettari
お歯黒べったり
A faceless woman yokai who appears in bridal attire, revealing only a wide mouth with black teeth to terrify unsuspecting viewers.
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Oiwa
お岩
The ghost of a woman with a disfigured face who was betrayed and murdered by her husband, one of Japan’s most famous onryō.
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Ōkamuro
大顔
A giant ghostly face that appears at the doorway, causing shock and paralysis in those who see it.
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Ōkubi
大首
A giant ghostly woman’s face that appears in the sky, often as a sign of warning or punishment.
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Okuri-inu
送り犬
A ghostly dog or wolf that follows night travelers in the mountains—helpful if respected, deadly if slighted.
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Ōmukade
大百足
A colossal, venomous centipede known for battling dragons and threatening mountain paths and lakes.
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Oni
鬼
The classic horned demon of Japanese folklore, known for its monstrous strength, terrifying appearance, and symbolic role in warding off evil.
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Onibi
鬼火
Mysterious floating flames believed to be ghost fires or spiritual energy, often seen near graves or haunted places in the night.
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Onikuma
鬼熊
A legendary bear that walks upright and raids villages at night, stealing livestock and terrifying residents.
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Onmoraki
陰摩羅鬼
A bird-like demon yokai formed from the spirits of the dead, appearing in temples and graveyards due to neglected funeral rites.
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Otoroshi
おとろし
Otoroshi is a hairy yokai that guards the gates of sacred places, silently watching and punishing those with impure hearts.
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Raijū
雷獣
A beast made of lightning that falls from the sky during storms and sometimes curls up in sleeping people's bellies.
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Rokurokubi
ろくろ首
A mysterious yokai whose neck can stretch to extreme lengths at night, often terrifying people while they sleep.
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Sa Gojō
沙悟浄
The Japanese interpretation of Sha Wujing, the water-monster from Journey to the West, often seen as a kappa-like river yokai.
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Sagari
さがり
A ghostly horse’s head said to hang from trees on Kyūshū, emitting eerie cries and bringing misfortune.
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Sakabashira
逆柱
Sakabashira is a haunted pillar installed upside-down in buildings, believed to attract bad luck, spirits, and structural imbalance.
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Samebito
鮫人
A shark-man yokai who once served the Dragon King of the Sea, known for crying jewel-like tears of blood and showing compassion.
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Sarugami
猿神
Sarugami is a wicked monkey spirit from Japanese folklore that terrorized villages by demanding human sacrifices, but was ultimately defeated by a heroic dog.
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Satori
覚
Satori is an ape-like yokai from the mountains of Japan that can instantly read the minds of any human it encounters.
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Sazae-oni
栄螺鬼
Sazae-oni is a turban snail yokai from the sea that disguises itself as a beautiful woman to deceive sailors and exact revenge.
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Sunekosuri
すねこすり
Sunekosuri is a small creature that rubs against people’s legs at night, causing them to stumble as they walk.
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Taimatsumaru
松明丸
Taimatsumaru is a tengu surrounded in demonic fire, known for testing spiritual travelers and symbolizing the dangers and revelations of flame.
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Taka-onna
高女
A mysterious female yokai with the ability to stretch her body to immense heights in order to peer into second-story windows, often appearing suddenly to frighten people.
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Tamamo-no-Mae
玉藻前
A legendary nine-tailed fox spirit who disguised herself as a courtesan. She caused disasters in the imperial court and was eventually sealed into the Killing Stone.
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Tankororin
たんころりん
An eerie yokai formed from an unharvested persimmon left to rot, glowing faintly and rolling across roads to spook travelers at night.
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Tatami-tataki
畳叩き
Tatami-tataki is a poltergeist known for beating the tatami mats at night, creating eerie noises in haunted or abandoned homes.
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Te-no-me
手の目
Te-no-me is the ghost of a blind man who has eyes on the palms of his hands. It is said to wander cemeteries, seeking the one who wronged him in life.
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Tengu
天狗
Tengu are legendary yokai with bird-like features and supernatural powers, known for dwelling in the mountains and challenging the arrogant.
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Tenjōname
天井嘗
Tenjōname is a creepy yokai known for haunting unkempt homes and licking the ceilings with its long tongue, leaving behind stains.
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Tennin
天人
Tennin are celestial women from Buddhist mythology, often seen as graceful, divine beings who descend to Earth in flowing robes to perform dances or deliver messages.
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Tesso
鉄鼠
Tesso is the vengeful spirit of the monk Raigō who transformed into a swarm of rats to destroy his enemies after being wronged.
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Tōfu-kozō
豆腐小僧
Tōfu-kozō is a small yokai boy who silently offers tofu to passersby, typically harmless but eerie in folklore.
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Toire-no-Hanakosan
トイレの花子さん
Toire-no-Hanakosan is the ghost of a schoolgirl said to haunt the third stall of school restrooms, featured in one of Japan's most iconic urban legends.
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Tōtetsu
饕餮
Tōtetsu is the Japanese interpretation of the Taotie, a legendary Chinese beast known for its greed and monstrous appetite.
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Tsuchigumo
土蜘蛛
Tsuchigumo is a monstrous spider yokai that traps warriors using illusions and was famously defeated by Minamoto no Yorimitsu.
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Tsuchikorobi
土転び
Tsuchikorobi is a tumbling monster said to roll down forested slopes and knock over travelers, often used as a warning for those wandering alone.
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Tsuchinoko
槌の子
Tsuchinoko is a short, fat snake-like creature from Japanese folklore known for its elusive nature, ability to jump, and trickster personality.
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Tsukumogami
付喪神
Tsukumogami are household items that come to life after a hundred years, becoming sentient yokai, often mischievous or vengeful.
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Tsurara-onna
氷柱女
Tsurara-onna is a wintry yokai formed from icicles, appearing as a beautiful woman during cold nights.
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Tsurube-otoshi
釣瓶落とし
Tsurube-otoshi is a monstrous yokai that drops from the treetops to crush or consume people passing underneath at night.
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Uma-no-ashi
馬の脚
Uma-no-ashi is a bizarre yokai in the form of a horse’s leg that dangles from trees and kicks unsuspecting travelers as they pass beneath.
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Umi-nyōbō
海女房
Umi-nyōbō is a mysterious female sea yokai who steals fish from boats, embodying the untamed and greedy spirit of the ocean.
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Umibōzu
海坊主
Umibōzu is a giant, shadowy spirit of the sea said to appear suddenly and capsize boats, terrifying sailors across Japan’s coasts.
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Ungaikyō
雲外鏡
Ungaikyō is a mysterious mirror yokai that reveals hidden visions, truths, and illusions, serving as a supernatural tool of insight and sometimes deception.
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Ushi-oni
牛鬼
Ushi-oni is a terrifying yokai with an ox’s head and monstrous body, known for terrorizing coastal villages and symbolizing chaos and destruction.
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Wanyūdō
輪入道
Wanyūdō is a horrifying yokai in the form of a flaming wheel bearing a human face, known for stealing the souls of those who gaze upon it.
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Yadōkai
夜道怪
Corrupted monks in Japanese folklore who turned away from spiritual discipline and became malevolent or mischievous spirits.
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Yagyō-san
夜行さん
A demon who rides through the night on a headless horse, bringing misfortune to anyone who sees him.
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Yama-biko
山彦
A spirit believed to cause echoes in Japan’s mountainous regions, often appearing as a small, elusive creature.
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Yama-bito
山人
The wild people of the mountains, said to be hidden tribes or yokai living deep in Japan’s forests.
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Yama-chichi
山父
A monkey-like spirit that lives in the mountains and is said to steal the breath of sleeping travelers.
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Yama-inu
山犬
A mysterious mountain dog spirit in Japanese folklore, sometimes seen as a protector and sometimes as a dangerous predator.
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Yama-oroshi
山颪
A humorous yokai that takes the form of a radish grater, its name a pun on “mountain storm.”
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Yama-otoko
山男
A giant wild man from the mountains in Japanese folklore, sometimes friendly, sometimes fearsome.
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Yama-waro
山童
A hairy, one-eyed spirit believed to be a kappa who migrates to the mountains, known for mischief and pranks.
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Yamata-no-Orochi
八岐大蛇
An eight-headed, eight-tailed dragon slain by Susanoo in ancient Japanese mythology.
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Yanari
家鳴
Poltergeist-like spirits that cause mysterious noises in houses, often associated with haunted homes and disturbed energy.
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Yatagarasu
八咫烏
A three-legged crow sent by the sun goddess Amaterasu to guide the first emperor of Japan. It symbolizes divine guidance and is a national symbol of Japan.
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Yato-no-kami
夜刀神
Deadly snake deities from Hitachi Province that brought death to those who saw them. Yato-no-kami were exterminated to purify the land and allow human settlement.
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Yomotsu-shikome
黄泉醜女
Foul hags from Yomi, the Japanese underworld. They were sent by Izanami to punish Izanagi for fleeing after seeing her decayed form in the land of the dead.
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Yōsei
妖精
The Japanese word for fairy, yōsei refers to small nature spirits or magical beings. Their depiction often blends Western fantasy fairies with Japanese mythological elements.
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Yosuzume
夜雀
A mysterious bird yokai known for its eerie chirping at night. Hearing the cry of a Yosuzume is often seen as a bad omen, especially in tales involving the okuri-inu.
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Yuki-onna
雪女
A snow yokai known for her ghostly beauty and icy touch. She appears during snowstorms and may show mercy or doom to those who meet her.
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Yukinko
雪ん子
A child-like snow yokai that appears during heavy snowfall. It is known to either help or mislead travelers, representing both the beauty and danger of winter.
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Zunbera-bō
ずんべら坊
Zunbera-bō is another name for the noppera-bō, a faceless ghost that shocks people with its eerie lack of facial features.