Explore the legendary Yokai, spirits, and creatures

Namahage
Yokai

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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414

Namazu
Yokai

Namazu (鯰)

A giant catfish from Japanese mythology believed to cause earthquakes when it thrashes about underground.

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376

Nando-baba
Yokai

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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349

Narikama
Yokai

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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324

Nebutori
Yokai

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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393

Nekomata
Animal Spirit

Nekomata (猫又)

A bakeneko with a split tail, known for dark magical powers, necromancy, and vengeance against cruel humans.

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552

Nekomusume
Yokai

Nekomusume (猫娘)

A cat yokai in the form of a young girl, blending innocence with mysterious feline powers.

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476

Nikusui
Yokai

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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403

Ningyo
Yokai

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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449

Nobusuma
Yokai

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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412

Noppera-bō
Yokai

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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455

Nozuchi
Yokai

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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335

Nue
Yokai

Nue (鵺)

A monkey-headed, tiger-bodied, snake-tailed monster that plagued the emperor with nightmares in the Heike Monogatari.

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441

Nukekubi
Yokai

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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865

Nuppefuhofu
Yokai

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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412

Nure-onna
Yokai

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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492

Nuribotoke
Yokai

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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389

Nurikabe
Yokai

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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350

Nurarihyon
Yokai

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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467

Nyūbachibō
Yokai

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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312