Meet the creatures behind the shrine, the river and the bedroom — no Japanese needed.

Yokai are everywhere in modern Japan: in games, mascots, films and roadside signs, and knowing them turns ordinary streets, rivers and shrines into stories you can actually read.

By the end

You will be able to recognise the major yokai, retell their stories, and explain what each one says about fear, weather, neighbours and luck in Japan.

Who this is for

Curious adults who love folklore, horror, anime or Japan — whether they are flying next month or never leaving their armchair.