Summer yokai thrive in heat and light—fire spirits, ocean creatures, and festival demons. They are most active during the warmest months.
Summer in Japan brings intense heat, vibrant festivals, and the power of the ocean. Summer yokai thrive in this energy—fire spirits dance in the heat, sea monsters patrol the warm waters, and festival demons celebrate the season's peak energy.
Note: This seasonal categorization reflects the temporal energy states (kisetsukan) of yokai rather than rigid categories. Many yokai may appear across multiple seasons, but their power and presence peak during their associated time.
A beast made of lightning that falls from the sky during storms and sometimes curls up in sleeping people's bellies.
1212
A colossal sea monster from Ainu lore, feared and revered as a divine octopus-like guardian of the ocean.
866
One of the most iconic Japanese yokai, the Kappa is a mischievous water spirit known for its bowl-shaped head, sumo skills, and love of cucumbers.
613
A mysterious glowing orb believed to be the soul of a recently deceased person, floating through the night air.
608
Ghostly spirits of those who perished at sea. They appear on stormy nights, trying to sink ships and drag sailors to watery graves.
565
Mysterious floating flames believed to be ghost fires or spiritual energy, often seen near graves or haunted places in the night.
523
A legendary night procession of a hundred demons and spirits. Anyone witnessing it without protection would meet a dreadful fate. The event is often depicted in Japanese scrolls and folklore as a surreal and dangerous parade through the streets.
519
A fearsome god or spirit responsible for droughts. It is said to dry up the land wherever it appears, withering crops and causing famine.
514
A fish person or mermaid in Japanese folklore, said to grant longevity if eaten, but also brings misfortune.
487
A ghostly fire from Mie Prefecture that haunts desolate mountain paths and brings misfortune to travelers.
473
A legendary yokai pair—one with long legs, the other with long arms—who fish cooperatively in deep coastal waters.
458
A powerful fish- or whale-like beast from Ainu folklore, said to cause earthquakes and drag boats beneath lakes.
453
A fish-like sea monster with a barb-covered tail, said to lurk off the coasts of western Japan and attack ships with stealth and violence.
430
The eerie spirit of the blue lantern, said to appear at the end of a hundred ghost stories told by candlelight.
427
A sea spirit often synonymous with the ikuchi — a massive eel-like yokai that coats ships in oily residue.
421
A hairy kappa-like creature known for sneaking into baths and leaving hair everywhere. While mischievous, it can become deadly if its hospitality is not respected.
411
A haunted paper lantern yokai with a single eye and long tongue, brought to life through age or neglect, often startling those who pass by.
405
A ghostly whale yokai said to appear off the coast of western Japan. Surrounded by strange birds and fish, it brings misfortune and plagues to those who witness it. Bake-kujira is believed to be the spirit of a whale killed unjustly.
394
Another name for the kappa—a mischievous and dangerous water-dwelling yokai, revered and feared in Japanese folklore.
391
A ghostly blue heron said to shimmer with supernatural fire as it moves through swamps and riverbanks.
382
Kawa-zaru is a foul-smelling, cowardly river creature from Japanese folklore. Unlike its cousin the kappa, it avoids confrontation and is known for fleeing and hiding from humans.
380
A powerful thunder god from Japanese mythology, associated with storms, lightning, and divine wrath.
376
Kawa-uso is a mischievous river otter yokai known for its shapeshifting powers and playful tricks on humans. It often impersonates people and lures them into strange or humorous situations by rivers.
374
Kawa-akago is a river-dwelling yokai that takes the form of a crying baby. It lures passersby close to the water, often resulting in danger or drowning. This eerie creature is both tragic and terrifying.
366
Garappa is a river-dwelling yokai native to Kyūshū. A regional variation of the more well-known kappa, it is mischievous but not always malicious.
363
A mysterious sea serpent from Japanese legend that travels over boats at sea, trailing oily slime and causing panic among sailors.
361
A mysterious flickering flame from Kōchi Prefecture said to drift playfully through the night fields.
358
The god of thunder and lightning, often depicted with drums used to summon storms.
337
A ghostly flame seen in Ishikawa Prefecture, often considered a spiritual warning or wandering soul.
328
