Yōkai (Japanese Demons): 35 Fascinating Creatures

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Urban legends expert Sydney Bermudez delves into the different types of Japanese demons

Co-authored by Sydney Bermudez and Jennifer Vasquez, BA, MA

Last Updated: August 18, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Oni (Ogre-Like) Demons
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• Yurei (Ghost-Like) Demons
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• Other Yokai
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• Yokai in Pop Culture
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• What are yokai, oni, and yurei?
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• Origins
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• Video

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Japanese demons can be found in much of the folklore of Japan. While the term “yokai” is used to refer to these demons in a general sense, there are different kinds—and not all Japanese demons are evil. We spoke with an urban legends expert to find out the purpose behind different demons in Japanese mythology. In this guide, we zero in on distinct types, such as the ogre-like oni and the ghostly yurei, and explore the origins of Japanese demonology.

Japanese Demon Types & Names

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Urban legends expert Sydney Bermudez explains that the Japanese term for demons is yokai, which describes supernatural creatures, spirits, or monsters that can be terrifying or friendly. Yokai is the umbrella term for Japanese demons and monsters, but there are also sub-categories of yokai, including the ogre-like oni.

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Section 1 of 6:

Oni (Ogre-Like) Japanese Demons

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   Shuten Doji Shuten Doji means “the drunken demon.” This demon is basically the king of oni. Bermudez explains that all oni are ogre-like. Shuten Doji definitely lives up to that description with horns atop his head, fangs, red or blue skin, and wild hair. Legends say he kidnaps the daughters of royal families to drink their blood and consume their flesh.

   • Appearance: He has horns, fangs, red or blue skin, and wild hair.
   • Behavior: Mischievous and malicious

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Sydney Bermudez is an urban legends expert with extensive knowledge of paranormal cases, internet mysteries, and psychological horror.
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   Onibaba Onibaba translates to “demon hag” or “ogre crone.” She looks like a decaying old woman and lives alone. Some legends say she lives in a hut or cave in the mountains or somewhere in the wild. She waits quietly so she can prey on travelers.

   • Appearance: She looks aged and disheveled with messy hair and a large mouth.
   • Behavior: Monstrous and cannibalistic
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   Ushi Oni Ushi oni is an ox demon that has the head of an ox and a spider-like body. It lives near pools of water and is a carnivore that sometimes eats humans. This demon works with other demons to secure its prey.

   • Appearance: It has an ox head, spider-like body, curved horns, and fangs.
   • Behavior: Ferocious and terrorizes people
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   Ibaraki Doji The Ibaraki Doji is a shapeshifting ogre who serves Shuten Doji. The demon has been depicted as male in some stories and as female in others. According to one legend, Ibaraki Doji disguised themselves as a woman to trick a warrior named Watanabe no Tsuna.

   • Appearance: They have a grotesque male or female appearance and fangs.
   • Behavior: Ruthless, deceitful, and terrorizing
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   Amanojaku Amanojaku is a “heavenly evil spirit,” but its intentions are anything but “heavenly.” The demon is typically portrayed as a small oni that tempts people to give into their darkest desires. Bermudez says that demons are often used in Japanese culture to teach a moral lesson, and this can be the case with this particular oni. In Buddhism, the Amanojaku represents the opposite of Buddhist teachings.

   • Appearance: It’s described as looking like a small imp.
   • Behavior: Evil and troublemaking
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Section 2 of 6:

Yurei (Ghost-Like) Japanese Demons

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   Teke Teke Teke Teke is a vengeful spirit. She was a girl who was cut in half by a train and killed. She crawls around dragging the bottom half of her body behind her. She gets her name because it’s said she makes a “teke-teke” sound as she moves. She goes after victims and cuts them in half.

   • Appearance: She’s the ghost of a young girl.
   • Behavior: Vengeful and angry
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   Kuchisake Onna The Kuchisake Onna is known as the slit-mouthed woman. According to Bermudez, the Kuchisake Onna was a beautiful woman that many people were jealous of. In one version of the story, Bermudez continues, an envious coworker cut her mouth open, but another version claims that her husband slit her mouth open in a jealous rage. In both accounts, she ends up with a gruesome stitched smile, and Bermudez explains that Kuchisake Onna is said to approach people and ask them if they think she’s pretty.

   • Appearance: She’s described as a very beautiful and attractive woman.
   • Behavior: Melancholy and sometimes attacks people
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   Onryo An onryo is a vindictive spirit that wants to get even. These demons developed out of grief or rage and want to punish those who did them wrong. They’re usually portrayed as pale women with long, black hair and hollow eyes. It’s said they can possess people, cast curses, and cause natural disasters.

   • Appearance: They look like ghostly women with pale skin and dark hair and eyes.
   • Behavior: Full of wrath and seek revenge by harming humans
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   Ubume Ubume are the spirits of mothers who died during childbirth. These grieving ghosts represent mothers in mourning. Legends say they haunt roads and rivers, carrying a baby. Ubume aren’t evil and symbolize the strong bond between a mother and child.

   • Appearance: They take on the appearance of mothers who died giving birth.
   • Behavior: Mournful and grieving
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   Funayurei Funayurei are ghosts that haunt the sea. These are the spirits of people who perished in the ocean and are mainly sailors. They look for shipmates to drag them underwater. They only appear during foggy or stormy nights or during new or full moons. They emerge from mists as a ghost ship with a phantom crew.

   • Appearance: They look like dead bodies dressed in funeral robes.
   • Behavior: Vindictive
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   Goryo Goryo are the spirits of noblemen, royalty, or high-ranking soldiers. These are individuals who experienced tragic deaths. The tale of Sugawara Michizane is said to be the origin of this demon ghost. Michizane was a statesman and scholar who was the victim of slander. He was exiled by the imperial family, and when he died, it’s said that his angry spirit wanted revenge on his enemies.

   • Appearance: He appears as a ghostly version of his human form.
   • Behavior: Vindictive and angry
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   Zashiki Warashi Zashiki Warashi are house ghosts that haunt homes. They may sound scary, but they’re actually welcomed by families. These spirits are believed to bring good fortune and can be playful. Humans rarely ever catch a glimpse of them, but it’s said they take on a childlike appearance.

   • Appearance: They take the form of a young, innocent child with rosy cheeks.
   • Behavior: Benevolent and playful
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   Jibakurei Jibakurei are cursed spirits that are stuck in the place where they died. They’re the ghosts of individuals who died in a horrible way, such as by murder or in a terrible accident. The sudden and tragic nature of their deaths ties them to the spots where they perished.

   • Appearance: They’re usually dressed in a white burial kimono, and the lower half of their bodies disappears into nothing.
   • Behavior: Angry, unsettled, and vengeful
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   Shiryo Shiryo are the spirits of the recently deceased. The kanji for “shi” (死) means death. The ghost of someone who just passed may arise to say one last goodbye to family and friends. Or, they may try to take a loved one with them into the afterlife.

   • Appearance: They take on the form of the person who just died.
   • Behavior: Good-intentioned, but may want to trick loved ones into joining them in the afterlife
   • If you want to try to talk to a ghost, see our guide on communicating with spirits.
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    Fudakaeshi Fudakaeshi are cunning spirits who try to trick people into removing their protective charms against ghosts. If they succeed, they’re able to attack their victims. Their targets are usually selfish or greedy individuals.

    • Appearance: They’re usually portrayed as a long-haired woman who wears a kimono and has a semi-transparent form.
    • Behavior: Deceitful and persuasive
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    Suppon No Yurei Suppon No Yurei are the ghosts of softshell turtles. It’s believed if you eat a dish containing suppon turtles, these creatures return to haunt you. These turtles are against anyone who sells, eats, or traps their kind, so they seek revenge in death.

    • Appearance: They look like suppon turtles.
    • Behavior: Vengeful and seek justice
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    Okiku Okiku originates from one of Japan’s most popular ghost stories, Bancho Sarayashiki (The Dish Mansion at Bancho). In one of the most well-known versions, Okiku is a beautiful maid who serves a samurai named Tessan Aoyama. She refuses his advances. In anger, Aoyama hides a valuable Dutch plate and accuses her of stealing it. He says he’ll let her off the hook only if she becomes his mistress. Not wanting to become his lover, Okiku ends her life by throwing herself into a well. She emerges nightly to haunt the samurai, which eventually drives him mad.

    • Appearance: She looks like a beautiful maiden.
    • Behavior: Anguished and in despair
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    Oiwa Oiwa was a loving wife who was poisoned by her husband, Iemon. When a chance to marry into a wealthy family arose, her husband decided to get rid of her. He poisoned her, but instead of dying, Oiwa became disfigured. When she discovered what her husband did, she died of heartbreak. Her restless spirit returns to haunt Iemon.

    • Appearance: She has a disfigured face and has lost most of her hair.
    • Behavior: Angry and seeks justice
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    Aka Manto Aka Manto is part of contemporary urban legend. This spirit is said to haunt bathrooms, asking people if they want red or blue paper. The question is unsettling because it’s not clear which is the right answer. The story is popular among schoolchildren.

    • Appearance: They’re described as a masked spirit that wears a red cape.
    • Behavior: Malicious and dangerous
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Section 3 of 6:

Miscellaneous Japanese Demons (Yokai)

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   Nurarihyon The Nurarihyon is often viewed as the leader of all yokai. He’s portrayed as an elderly man who blends in with humans. He’s known for sneaking into homes and acting as if he owns the house. While he can be troublesome, he’s a well-respected, authoritative figure in the supernatural realm.

   • Appearance: He looks like an elderly man.
   • Behavior: Sneaky, but overall, has a presence that commands respect
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   Tengu Bermudez describes Tengu as “bird-like mountain beings.” They’re powerful figures with advanced martial arts skills. They were initially associated with war, but are now seen as protectors and guardians of forests and mountains.

   • Appearance: They have some human-like features, wings, and a prominent red nose.
   • Behavior: Formerly connected to war and seen as combative; now viewed as protective
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   Kappa Kappa have a reputation of being river tricksters. This is a group of amphibious demons that dwells in rivers and lakes and pulls people underwater. One unique feature is the concave area on their heads, which holds water and is a big source of their power. Despite their troublesome nature, they also have a sense of honor and can become vulnerable if the water on their head spills.

   • Appearance: They have scaly skin, webbed hands and feet, and a hollow area on their heads that holds water.
   • Behavior: Mischievous but can be honorable and vulnerable
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   Kitsune Kitsune are fox spirits, explains Bermudez. They’re magical, intelligent creatures who can also shapeshift into human form. Although they’re viewed as protectors, they also have a mischievous side. In Japanese folklore, their dual nature has made them a symbol of the balance between wisdom and cunning.

   • Appearance: They look like foxes, but can shapeshift to look human.
   • Behavior: Protective, intelligent, cunning, and deceitful
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   Tsuchigumo If you have arachnophobia, you don’t want to encounter Tsuchigumo. These demons look a lot like spiders and can grow to large sizes. They live in the mountains, forests, and the islands of Japan. They’re known to trap and eat humans and animals.

   • Appearance: They’re spider-like creatures that can grow to big sizes.
   • Behavior: Malicious and carnivorous
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   Yuki Onna Yuki Onna is recognized as “the snow woman.” She’s an alluring woman with skin as cold as ice and long, black locks. She can only be seen on snowy nights. She goes after solo travelers and freezes them with her breath.

   • Appearance: She’s an attractive woman with long, black hair and icy skin.
   • Behavior: Dangerous and merciless
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   Rokurokubi Rokurokubi are demons with extremely long necks. They’re most often represented as females. While they look human during the daytime, they turn into strange-looking beings at night. They have the ability to elongate their necks to insane lengths!

   • Appearance: They look human and are often women.
   • Behavior: Some are mischievous, while others want acceptance. In some legends, they punish people for their bad actions.
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   Jorogumo Jorogumo is a spider woman spirit. The name means “binding bride,” and refers to the way this demon traps her prey. She first appears as a beautiful woman to men, but once she lures them to her lair, she turns into a hideous spider. This demonic figure is used as a way to warn people of giving in to seduction and temptation.

   • Appearance: She appears as an attractive woman and transforms into a spider.
   • Behavior: Seductive, deceitful, and dangerous
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   Gashadokuro Gashadokuro are terrifying death monsters in Japanese mythology. They’re giant skeletons with an anatomy made up of the bones of those who died from starvation or in battle. They prowl the streets at night and crush anyone who crosses their path.

   • Appearance: They look like huge skeletons.
   • Behavior: Monstrous, frightening, and deadly
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    Umibozu Umibozu are referred to as “sea monks” because it’s believed they are the spirits of monks who died by drowning. They emerge from the ocean and destroy ships. Sailors out at sea hope not to encounter these frightening creatures.

    • Appearance: They’re shadow-like figures who resemble monks.
    • Behavior: Destructive and malevolent
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    Tanuki Tanuki are another type of animal yokai. The name means “raccoon dog,” and they’re based on an actual dog breed that’s present in East Asia. These dogs look like raccoons. Tanuki are known for being playful and silly but can also be tricksters. They’re looked upon as funny and joyous creatures.

    • Appearance: They’re a dog with raccoon-like features.
    • Behavior: Playful and silly
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    Tsukumogami Tsukumogami are actually inanimate objects that come to life. According to Japanese folklore, objects that reach their 100th birthday can develop a spirit and a sense of self-awareness. Tsukumogami can be everyday items, like umbrellas, lanterns, or tools.

    • Appearance: They are everyday items, like household objects.
    • Behavior: Depends on how the object was treated. Mistreated items can be vengeful, while cherished items can be benevolent.
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    Raiju Raiju are thunder beasts with the ability to control lightning. It’s said they create lightning bolts during thunderstorms. They can be peaceful one moment, then turn furious. Their form also varies, and they’ve been depicted as having different animal forms, from wolves to cats.

    • Appearance: They’ve been depicted as a wolf, cat, dog, and weasel surrounded by electricity.
    • Behavior: Calm and peaceful, but turn violent and angry during thunderstorms
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Section 4 of 6:

Japanese Demons in Pop Culture

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   Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a Japanese anime where the main character, Tanjiro Kamado, fights to slay demons. Tanjiro is a young boy whose family was murdered by demons. To complicate matters, his sister, Nezuko, was turned into a demon. The series centers on him seeking revenge and trying to find a cure for his Nezuko.
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   Naruto Naruto is a manga and anime series that features a Nine-Tailed Fox demon or kitsune. The protagonist, Naruto, had a fox spirit put into him as a baby. Although shunned by many, the fox spirit inside Naruto fuels his desire to become a powerful ninja.
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   Spirited Away Spirited Away centers on a young girl named Chihiro who enters a supernatural realm. Her parents were turned into pigs by a witch, so she goes on a journey to find a way to save them. The story contains a variety of yokai-inspired characters and ghostly spirits.
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   Pokémon The animated series Pokémon has Pocket Monsters that are inspired by yokai. These characters are supernatural beings with extraordinary abilities. For example, Manectric resembles the lightning demon Raiju. The icy traits of Froslass bring to mind Yuki Onna, the snow woman.
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   The Grudge The Japanese horror film Ju-On, which inspired the American version The Grudge, centers on a vengeful spirit who haunts the living. The legends of onryo inspired the ghosts in the movie. In Ju-On, a man kills his wife, son, and cat in a jealous rage. As a result, their restless spirits are out for revenge.
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Section 5 of 6:

What are yokai, oni, and yurei?

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1. 1
   Yokai are supernatural beings in Japanese folklore. It’s a term used to encompass a broad range of spirits, monsters, and demons. The word “yokai” means “uncanny” or “eerie” and can refer to a ghost, mythical animal, or even a weird sound. Within yokai exist different classes of supernatural creatures that are classified by their appearance or characteristics, such as oni and yurei.
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   Oni are ogre-like creatures. This type of yokai is known for having a more monstrous and demonic appearance. They’re typically large in size, have horns, and have red, pink, or blue-colored skin. They’re often associated with negative behaviors, like causing natural disasters or harming people. However, they’re not considered inherently evil.
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   Yurei are angry and unhappy ghosts. These are the spirits of humans who did not die peacefully and harbor a lot of sorrow, jealousy, and rage. During the Edo Period, yurei were usually portrayed as female with long, dark hair and a translucent form. Instead of moving on into the afterlife, these ghosts would return to haunt the living and wreak havoc.
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Section 6 of 6:

Origins of Yokai

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1. Yokai were originally used to explain the frightening aspects of life. Bermudez explains that yokai “often serve as explanations for strange events, fears, or moral lessons in Japanese culture.” Yokai have spiritual roots in Shinto and Taoism. As religion began to fade during the Edo Period in Japan, the stories of yokai were written down and demystified. However, their popularity didn’t wane, and they inspired a lot of Japanese artwork over time. Some Japanese artists even created their own yokai.

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