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 …

Introduction to Yōkai What Yōkai Are/Aren’t Yōkai, 妖怪, are strange, supernatural creatures and phenomena from Japanese folklore. The word is a combination of the characters 妖 (yō– attractive, …

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 completely inclusive or …

About This Site Yokai.com is a production of Yokai.com GK (合同会社YOKAI.COM) and is written, illustrated, and maintained by Matthew Meyer. This site is kept ad-free and paywall-free thanks to the …

トイレの花子さん といれのはなこさん Translation: Hanako of the Toilet Alternate names: Sanbanme no Hanako-san (Hanako of the Third Stall) Habitat: the third stall in the third floor girls’ restroom …

崇徳天皇 すとくてんのう Translation: Emperor Sutoku Appearance: Sutoku Tennō is one of the three most famous yōkai to ever haunt Japan. After he died, he transformed—some say into a terrible …

幽霊 ゆうれい Translation: faint spirit, ghost Alternate names: obake, shiryō, bōrei; other names exist for specific variations Habitat: any; commonly found in graveyards, houses, or near the place of death …

白澤 はくたく Translation: white marsh; based on the Chinese name for the same creature Alternate names: kutabe Habitat: remote, holy mountains Diet: unknown; likely herbivorous Appearance: The …

河童 かっぱ Translation: river child Alternate names: kawatarō, kawako Habitat: rivers, lakes, ponds, waterways, cisterns, wells; found throughout Japan Diet: omnivorous; prefers cucumbers and human …

がしゃどくろ Translation: onomatopoeic; rattling skull Alternate names: ōdokuro ("giant skull") Habitat: any; usually found near mass-graves or battlegrounds Diet: none, but enjoys eating humans anyway …