Welcome to Yokai.com, the illustrated database of Japanese folklore. This is an illustrated encyclopedia featuring ghosts, monsters, and legendary figures from Japan. All of the entries on this site are based on Japanese sources including …

Depending on who you’re talking to, specific creatures may or may not be classified as yokai. Are ghosts yōkai? Are oni yōkai? Can good spirits be yōkai or are they only evil spirits? Are kami yōkai? Does yōkai only apply to Japan, or does it apply to all countries? Every rule has an exception, and every answer has a contradiction.

Can't think of the name of the yōkai you are looking for? You can browse yōkai by specific categories to narrow down your search. Please note that categories are not completely inclusive or exhaustive. Yōkai are difficult to categorize and it is impossible to list every single yōkai related to any one concept. On this

the illustrated database of Japanese folklore. Toire no Hanako-san . Ichimokuren

Legends: There are few monsters who are considered among the greatest and most evil yokai in all of Japanese folklore. The dreaded king of the oni, Shuten dōji, is one of them. Shuten dōji was not born an oni.

麒麟 きりん. Translation: none; based on the Chinese name for the same creature Habitat: areas ruled by a wise and benevolent leader Diet: purely vegetarian; never harms another creature. Appearance: The kirin is one of the rarest, most awesome and powerful creatures ever known in East Asia.It is a regal animal, holy and highly revered. The kirin is often considered a god in its …

大百足 おおむかで Translation: giant centipede Habitat: mountains and caves; any dark and humid place big enough to hold it Diet: carnivorous CRITICAL WEAKNESS: human saliva Appearance: Ōmukade are monstrous mukade–centipedes (Scolopendra subspinipes) with dark bodies and bright orange legs and heads. They are often depicted with dragon-like features.

座敷童子 ざしきわらし. Translation: zashiki child Alternate names: many, depending in the region and variety of ghost Habitat: zashiki (a kind of sitting room covered in tatami mats) and other rooms Diet: none, but enjoys candies and treats left out for it. Appearance: Zashiki warashi are house spirits.They are fond of mischief, loved by all, and believed to bring great fortune and ...

龍 たつ. Translation: dragon Alternate names: ryū, ryō, wani; known by many specific individual names Habitat: rivers, waterfalls, mountains, lakes, seas, and palaces deep in the ocean Diet: capable of eating anything. Appearance: Tatsu, Japanese dragons, are similar in appearance to the dragons of China and the rest of the world.They have long, scaled bodies, serpentine tails, …

狐 きつね Translation: fox Alternate names: unique names exist in many individual instances Habitat: found throughout Japan Diet: omnivorous; fond of fried tofu Appearance: Foxes, or kitsune, are found all across Japan. They are identical to wild foxes found elsewhere in the world apart from their incredible magical powers. Their cute faces and small size make them …