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I often say if you are interested in Japanese yokai folk tales and ghost stories, you should visit the traditional towns of rural Japan. Tourism will save such towns from economic decline and help them preserve their traditions.

However, I know we have a problem: tourist information for yokai spots is quite rare.

In this article, I show you the 10 towns yokai lovers must visit.

These towns are committed to protecting their own local folk tales and aim to attract tourists who enjoy such traditions.

Now, let’s begin:

1:Tono

Tono City is a special place not only for foreign tourists but also for Japanese who like yokai.

In 1910, a great folklore Kunio Yanagita visited this town and covered many local folk tales.He published them in a book called “Tono Monogatari.” This book has various yokai stories and has attracted many yokai-lovers.

There are some museums and displays about folklore here. In addition, many classical Japanese houses also welcome tourists.

2:Chofu

You can reach Chofu City in 20 minutes from Shinjuku Station. Therefore, we consider it one of Japan’s most accessible yokai spots.

A famous manga author, Shigeru Mizuki, lived here in his lifetime. His masterpiece “Gegege no Kitaro” is based on the world of Yokai.

Tourists can see the statues of the characters of “Gegege no Kitaro” and buy the related merchandise.

If you visit this place, you should read the English version of “Gegege no Kitaro” or watch the TV anime version in advance.

3:Higashiomi

Higashiomi City is famous for its yokai festival.

However, due to the influence of the COVID pandemic, the resumption of this festival is undecided. We Japanese are also waiting for the information to be released on the official website.

4:Fukuchiyama

In Fukuchiyama city, there is Japan Oni Exchange Museum.

“Oni” is a traditional monster in Japanese folklore.

Since Oni appears in a wide range of folktales, there are various types of their characteristics. Are you getting interested? If so, why don’t you visit Fukuchiyama City?

5:Shodoshima

There is Yokai Art Museum on Shodoshima Island in Kagawa Prefecture. The museum, located in the old cityscape, always holds various events. It is a museum with wonderful activities that blend traditional yokai with contemporary art.

6:Fukusaki

Fukusaki is the birthplace of the great folklorist, Kunio Yanagita.

You can see various monuments and statues of Yokai which appear in Yanagita’s book.

7:Sakaiminato

Sakaiminato is the birthplace of a famous Manga-creator, Shigeru Mizuki.

There is a museum celebrating Shigeru Mizuki’s achievements.

The city has built statues of Yokai, which appear in Mizuki’s most famous work, Gegege no Kitaro, for many fans to feel their presence.

8:Matsue

Matsue is famous as the city where Lafcadio Hearn, also known as Yakumo Koizumi, lived.

Hearn introduced Japanese ghost stories in English to the English-speaking countries.His books are also popular in Japan.

The house where he lived remains in Matsue. Every summer, an event called “Matsue Ghost Tour” takes place.

9:Miyoshi(Hiroshima Prefecture)

There is a large ghost museum in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture. This is a newer yokai spot in Japan that just opened in 2019.

The motif of the museum is based on Japanese classical literature called “Ino Mononokeroku.”

10:Miyoshi(Tokushima Prefecture)

Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture, is full of handmade yokai museum and yokai monuments by the townspeople.

After all, this is a secluded place that can only be reached after driving a long way from the airport.

Surrounded by mountains and valleys, the scenery of this place is so mythic and wonderful. The scenery will fascinate tourists as “the area where Japanese youkai seem to still live“.

Now, What do you think about these? Are you getting interested?

If you want the further information, let’s check out the official websites of them, of get in touch with my Twitter account!

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