Our mission
Japanese Mythical Creatures is an educational resource dedicated to Japanese folklore—yōkai, oni, kami, spirits, and the stories that have shaped Japan’s supernatural imagination for centuries. We also maintain one of the largest English-language directories of Shinto shrines, helping visitors discover sacred places across Japan.
What you’ll find here
- 297+ yōkai and creature profiles — from well-known figures like Kitsune and Tengu to regional legends
- In-depth articles — folklore context, behavior, and cultural significance where available
- Seasonal and category guides — explore beings by season or type (oni, yurei, tsukumogami, and more)
- Shinto shrine directory — searchable shrine listings with location, deity, and cultural notes
- FAQ and beginner’s guide — introductions for newcomers to Japanese mythology
Editorial approach
Content is researched from traditional sources, scholarly references, and established folklore collections. Shrine data is primarily sourced from OpenStreetMap, with editorial review and enrichment over time. Some shrine descriptions may be assisted by AI and are labeled when applicable; we continuously improve accuracy through community submissions and manual review.
Who runs this site
The site is created and maintained by Jerome Heuze, a developer and publisher focused on Japanese culture, folklore, and educational web projects. Jerome has built multiple resources in the Japanese culture space and is committed to preserving folklore knowledge in accessible English.
Monetization & transparency
To keep the site free to use, we may display advertising (including Google AdSense) and affiliate links to books and cultural products. Affiliate relationships are disclosed on our Products page. Advertising never influences our editorial descriptions of folklore or shrines.
Contribute or correct information
Found an error in our shrine directory? Use the shrine submission form. For general questions, corrections to creature articles, or partnership inquiries, please contact us.
