Explore the legendary Yokai, spirits, and creatures

Yagyō-san
Yokai

Yagyō-san (夜行さん)

A demon who rides through the night on a headless horse, bringing misfortune to anyone who sees him.

Yakubyō-gami
God

Yakubyō-gami (厄病神)

Spirits believed to bring disease, plagues, and calamity, often feared and driven away through rituals.

Yadōkai
Yokai

Yadōkai (夜道怪)

Corrupted monks in Japanese folklore who turned away from spiritual discipline and became malevolent or mischievous spirits.

Yama-biko
Yokai

Yama-biko (山彦)

A spirit believed to cause echoes in Japan’s mountainous regions, often appearing as a small, elusive creature.

Yama-bito
Yokai

Yama-bito (山人)

The wild people of the mountains, said to be hidden tribes or yokai living deep in Japan’s forests.

Yama-chichi
Yokai

Yama-chichi (山父)

A monkey-like spirit that lives in the mountains and is said to steal the breath of sleeping travelers.

Yama-inu
Yokai

Yama-inu (山犬)

A mysterious mountain dog spirit in Japanese folklore, sometimes seen as a protector and sometimes as a dangerous predator.

Yama-otoko
Yokai

Yama-otoko (山男)

A giant wild man from the mountains in Japanese folklore, sometimes friendly, sometimes fearsome.

Yama-oroshi
Yokai

Yama-oroshi (山颪)

A humorous yokai that takes the form of a radish grater, its name a pun on “mountain storm.”

Yamata-no-Orochi
Yokai

Yamata-no-Orochi (八岐大蛇)

An eight-headed, eight-tailed dragon slain by Susanoo in ancient Japanese mythology.

Yama-uba
Spirit

Yama-uba (山姥)

A terrifying mountain witch who may devour or aid travelers in Japanese folklore.

Yama-waro
Yokai

Yama-waro (山童)

A hairy, one-eyed spirit believed to be a kappa who migrates to the mountains, known for mischief and pranks.

Yanari
Yokai

Yanari (家鳴)

Poltergeist-like spirits that cause mysterious noises in houses, often associated with haunted homes and disturbed energy.

Yatagarasu
Yokai

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.

Yato-no-kami
Yokai

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.

Yomotsu-shikome
Yokai

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.

Yōsei
Yokai

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.

Yosuzume
Yokai

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.

Yukinko
Yokai

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.

Yuki-onna
Yokai

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.