Meet the creators, tricksters, ghosts and creatures that still shape Japan's stories, streets and screens.

Yokai are everywhere from shrine festivals to video games, and knowing the originals turns background decoration into a story you can actually follow.

By the end

You will be able to recognise the major kami, yokai and folktales, explain where they come from and why they persist, and read a shrine, a festival or an anime scene with the mythic references in plain view.

Who this is for

Curious adults who want the stories behind the country, whether they are planning a trip, watching anime, or simply love a good monster.