Japan's Supernatural Halloween: Yōkai Festivals

Narelle Katsumoto
17 時間前
読了時間: 5分

Dwarves, fairies, ghouls, demons—mythical creatures have filled our world and our storybooks, sometimes whimsical and sometimes dark. It’s not surprising that a country like Japan has its own versions of supernatural beings—Yōkai, whose legends are still talked about to this day. With the rise of anime adaptations, it’s no wonder that the tales of Yōkai have found their way back into people’s imaginations—this time through cosplay. Let’s take a dive into the world of Yōkai Festivals.

What are Yōkai?

Yōkai are spiritual creatures or divine beings that possess supernatural powers or mystical energy. The word yōkai (妖怪)is an umbrella term, combining the characters for "bewitching" and "mystery," but each entity is distinct in appearance and nature. They can be monsters, demons, ghosts, or even possessed objects, and they may be either good or evil. Most are known for for being either mischievous or sometimes vengeful toward humans.

Some Types of Yōkai

Oni

Oni are gigantic horned demons with red or blue skin who wear the skins of animals they’ve slain. They are violent creatures that bring disaster and punish humans for their own cruel pleasure.

Kappa

Kappas are water spirits shaped like a child with webbed hands, feet, and a turtle shell. It has a bowl of water on its head that gives it power. If the water is gone or spilled, it loses its strength and dies. Kappas are known for pulling children into rivers, but also love sumo wrestling and cucumbers.

Tengu

Tengu are mountain goblins that once looked like birds but later became red-faced with long noses. They were feared as evil kidnappers but are now seen as mischievous protectors who must be treated with respect.

Yurei

Yurei are restless ghosts who cannot reach the afterlife because of powerful emotions such as anger, sorrow, or jealousy. They have supernatural abilities and are believed to bring disasters, famines, or tragedies, which is why shrines were built to calm them.

History of Yōkai

In ancient Japan, people believed that everything, from a mountain to a simple tool, had a soul. This belief, known as animism, taught that objects and natural elements could be either helpful or harmful to people. Over time, this idea became a foundation for Shintō, Japan's ancient religion, which introduced the concept of kami (divine spirits) found in nature. People prayed to these spirits for good luck or protection from evil. This concept of the divine in nature would later help shape the mysterious nature of yōkai.

According to the Kojiki (古事記), Japan’s oldest written record, the first mention of Yōkai appears in the story of Izanagi. After his journey to the underworld, Izanagi purified himself in a bath. The droplets of water that fell from his body spread across the land, releasing a powerful, mystical energy. When this energy broke free from the natural world, it transformed into the yōkai.

The legends of yōkai became super popular during the Edo Period (1603–1868), when people had a thirst for storytelling and folklore. Artists like Toriyama Sekien fed this need by creating yōkai encyclopedias, collecting old stories while adding his own creatures. This love for the legends continued until the Meiji Period (1868–1912), when leaders ruled the beliefs as old-fashioned and heavily encouraged people to stop in favor of modernization.

When GeGeGe no Kitaro by Mizuki Shigeru debuted in the 1960s, it reignited Japan’s love for Yōkai, especially among children and young readers. His comic inspired new interpretations by other artists, reviving interest in the folklore once more.

Yōkai Festivals

1. Kai Kai Yōkai Festival, Kyoto

One of the biggest Yōkai festivals takes place at Uzumasa Toei Kyoto Studio Park. The park hosts the “Uzumasa Night Parade of One Hundred Demons” every Saturday, Sunday, and Japanese holiday from September 13th to November 30th. The parade runs twice a day: once at 2:30 pm and again at 6 or 7 pm (check the schedule carefully, as times may vary).

This parade reenacts a scene from the legend of Hyakki Yagyo in the Heian period, where a hundred Yōkai marched through Kyoto.

The park has also created its own story: the Yōkai found their way into the park because the spirit of the Edo period still fills the land. Since then, the park has become a Yōkai Village, where visitors can dance, play, and interact with Yōkai — and even become one themselves!

For those interested in participating in the parade as a Yōkai, applications can be submitted through the park’s website up to five days in advance. The form is available in English. You can also sign up on the day if you are renting a costume from the park.

Even if you’re not joining the parade, you can take photos with Yōkai at various times throughout the day. You’ll also find plenty of fun activities and a bustling market in the area. So, there are plenty of things to see and do!

Tickets for the parade are 3,900 yen for adults, 2,900 yen for senior and junior high school students, and 2,700 yen for children. Each ticket comes with a Yagyo Doji Mask, which magically transforms you into the leader of the parade!

2. Yōkai Matsuri, Tokushima

Out in a town surrounded by nature, you’ll find an enchanting Yōkai Festival. The small town of Miyoshi in Tokushima Prefecture has been bringing local legends to life through colorful parades since November 2000. This tradition wasn’t born out of fear, but from a long history of telling Yōkai stories to keep children safe and honor the gods of the mountain.

The parade is held at an old elementary school building on the third Sunday of November and usually begins in the afternoon.

A line of Yōkai takes to the streets, each costume handcrafted with creativity and imagination, capturing the unique personality of each spirit.

There’s plenty to enjoy at the event itself: a bazaar serving Yōkai-themed food, local noodles, and snacks; lively stage performances; and even the Yōkai Yashiki, a haunted house alongside monuments marking where Yōkai were said to appear. The best part? Everyone can join in the fun, even international visitors!

If you want to experience a more culturally infused Japanese Halloween, look no further than Japan’s Yōkai festivals. Feel the eerie yet exciting atmosphere as Japan’s spiritual legends come to life. As you admire the craftsmanship of each costume, your curiosity about the stories behind these creatures will only grow. If you’re in Japan during October or November, be sure to mark it on your calendar, you’re bound to feel something truly supernatural!

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毎週火曜日に世界中を助ける。

Japan's Supernatural Halloween: Yōkai Festivals

What are Yōkai?

Some Types of Yōkai