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 books, paintings, scrolls, prints, and oral tradition.
Open the alphabetical list of yōkai by clicking on the hamburger menu ( ☰ ) in the top left corner, try for a random yōkai, or view a list of categories in the Yōkai Finder.
Yokai.com is presented ad-free, pop-up free, and paywall free. Every entry is researched, translated, illustrated, and then posted free for everyone in the world to enjoy, all thanks to support from readers. If you enjoy this site, please consider becoming a yokai patron at patreon.com/theyokaiguy.
New Kickstarter Coming This Fall
Echizen-Wakasa Kidan: Strange Tales from Fukui is a fully illustrated book filled with never-before-published folktales from Fukui Prefecture, Japan.
This collection features over 50 kidan—stories about yokai, ghosts, and strange phenomena—that were recorded during the Edo Period (1603-1868). These tales were preserved in handwritten books and little-known Edo period publications, many of them never translated into modern Japanese or other languages until now!
In addition to the book, we are partnering with local artisans and masters of Fukui’s traditional crafts, passed down for over 1500 years, to create unique yokai-themed rewards for this project!
Sign up to be notified when the Kickstarter campaign launches, and get special Early Bird and Returning Backer rewards!
Online Shop
We have an online shop where you can order art prints, postcards, books, and more. DRM-free ebooks can be purchased from Amazon’s Kindle store. Shipping is done through Japan Post, and is limited to countries and methods currently allowed by Japan Post.