Name Meaning
Betobeto-san (べとべとさん) is a yokai known for silently following lone travelers at night, its name derived from the onomatopoeic "beto beto" sound of footsteps it makes.
- Betobeto = The sound of footsteps
- San = A polite suffix, giving the yokai a strange familiarity
Origin
- Originates in various regions of Japan, particularly in Nara and Shizuoka Prefectures.
- Part of night traveler folklore, especially among those walking home after dark on rural paths.
Appearance
- Completely invisible—never seen, only heard.
- Accompanied by the sound of footsteps with no visible source.
- Some stories describe a shadowy figure only faintly glimpsed out of the corner of the eye.
Behavior & Myths
- Follows people walking alone at night, mimicking the sound of footsteps behind them.
- If you stop and say, "Betobeto-san, please go ahead," it politely walks past and leaves you alone.
- Seen as more eerie than harmful—a reminder of the unknown in the quiet of night.
Symbolism
- Symbolizes the unseen world that exists parallel to our own.
- Represents fear of being watched or followed in solitude.
- A reminder to be respectful and aware when traveling through dark, silent places.
