What is Yokai?　（妖怪）
Yokai are supernatural beings that often emerge from the spirits of objects or animals. They are not just frightening—they can also be quirky, funny, and even cute, as seen in the popular animes Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro（ゲゲゲの鬼太郎）or Yokai Watch. Yokai reminds us to nurture and appreciate the things around us, reflecting the Japanese belief that everything, even everyday objects, possesses a spirit (a philosophy rooted in animism). In Japan, we say there are eight million gods around us; they confer in Izumo City once a year. Imagine the god traffic….

Yurei, Yokai, and Oni – What’s the Difference?

• Yurei: These are ghosts—spirits of deceased people who linger in this world due to strong emotions like regret, anger, or sorrow.
• Yokai: Unlike Yurei, Yokai are not human souls but mysterious entities or transformed beings, such as the mischievous Kappa (a water spirit) or Zashiki Warashi (a playful household spirit that brings fortune and wealth to the house). Oni (demons as in Demon Slayer) is also considered a Yokai.

Join Us for Yokai Family Weekend and a Horror Film Series!
Celebrate the eerie and fascinating world of Yokai with us! We’ve curated a film lineup (10/22-10/25/2-24)—including classics like Kwaidan, Kuroneko, and Juon—perfectly in sync with the Halloween spirit. We have all fun Yokai activities on the Yokai Family Weekend (10/26/2024.)

Whether you’re a fan of Japanese folklore or just looking for a spooky good time, this casual gathering is the perfect way to immerse yourself in ghostly tales and supernatural stories.

Yokai’s cultural footprint extends well beyond film and anime. Japanese folklore creatures have become a recurring visual motif across digital entertainment. Mobile games, collectible card platforms, and themed slot titles on new sweeps casinos all draw heavily from yokai mythology for character design. Kappa, Kitsune, and Oni show up in these spaces with the same playful energy that makes Yokai Watch so appealing to younger audiences.

For those who want to go deeper into the source material before or after the event, illustrated yokai scrolls dating back to the Edo period are available through several digital archives. Many of the creatures depicted in those scrolls will appear in the Family Weekend craft activities, giving families a chance to connect centuries-old artwork with the stories they already know from modern pop culture.