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 …

Even in Japanese, the term is difficult to pin down. Over the many eras of Japan’s history, different words have been used as catch-all terms for the supernatural forces of this world; …

Yōkai Finder 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 …

the illustrated database of Japanese folklore

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.

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 …

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 …

善狐 ぜんこ Translation: good fox, virtuous fox Alternate names: reiko, inari kitsune, osakitōge Habitat: forests, fields, mountains, and shrines Diet: omnivorous Appearance: Zenko are good …

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 C RITICAL WEAKNESS: human saliva …

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: …