Yokai are the enigmatic beings that populate Japanese folklore and ghost stories. Shape-shifting foxes, mischievous kappa water sprites, and spirits that haunt watersides, forests, and old streets — in Japan, ghost story telling has long been a summer tradition.

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On sweltering nights, people would gather for Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai, gatherings where a hundred tales of the uncanny were recited by candlelight. These chilling and eerie narratives offer a brief escape from the oppressive summer heat. And this yokai culture, so closely tied to the season, is still very much alive in Tokyo today. Beyond the gleaming cityscapes and cutting-edge trends, the capital is dotted with fascinating spots that let you step into the world of the supernatural. Join us as we explore yokai-themed cafés, the birthplaces of famous legends, and uncover the wonderfully weird, folklore-rich side of historic Tokyo.

Kitaro Chaya: Step into the World of GeGeGe no Kitaro

Nestled on Tenjin-dori just outside Chofu Station, near the famed Jindaiji Temple known for warding off evil, Kitaro Chaya is a charming shop that brings the universe of GeGeGe no Kitaro to life. Creator Shigeru Mizuki lived in Chofu for over 50 years while producing his iconic works. Inside, you'll find an irresistible selection of T-shirts, mugs, and collectibles that Kitaro fans and yokai enthusiasts won't want to miss. Character-themed soft-serve ice cream and floats are available for takeout. Right across the street, the café annex serves yokai-inspired sweets featuring beloved characters from the series. The standout recommendation? The GeGeGe Latte — pick your favourite from seven different latte art designs. Nearby is Kitaro Square, a park filled with bronze statues and playground equipment inspired by Mizuki's yokai characters. Bronze yokai statues also dot the surrounding streets, making for fantastic photo opportunities. Kitaro Chaya is a pilgrimage site for manga and yokai fans alike, and a welcoming spot to rest between explorations.

Gift shop exterior inspired by GeGeGe no Kitaro

Hitodama tempura-style doughnuts and GeGeGe latte

Inside the Kitaro merchandise gift shop

Kitaro's iconic chan-chanko vest

Chasing the Snow Woman Legend: Showa Retro Goods Museum in Ome

She appears on blizzard-swept nights — a woman of ghostly white beauty, draped in flowing white kimono, whose icy breath is said to freeze travellers where they stand. The Snow Woman, or Yuki-onna, has an unexpected connection to the city of Ome in Tokyo's western Tama region. Local folklore provided the inspiration for Lafcadio Hearn's 1904 English-language retelling of Yuki-onna, set right here. The Showa Retro Goods Museum houses a nostalgic collection of vintage Showa-era packaging, miniature townscapes, old cameras, and tobacco paraphernalia. On the second floor, the Yuki-onna Room displays newspaper clippings, books, photographs, and paintings dedicated to the legend. Settle into the quiet tatami-mat space to delve deeper into the Snow Woman's tale while soaking in the everyday atmosphere and wistful charm of the Showa period.

Portrait of Yuki-onna by Ome native and film billboard artist Itakan Kubo, based on Hearn's tale

Exhibits evoking the nostalgia of Showa-era Japan

Tetsugakudo Park: Where Philosophy Meets the Supernatural

In Tokyo's Nakano Ward lies Tetsugakudo Park, opened in 1904 by Enryo Inoue, founder of Toyo University, as a park for experiencing philosophy. Inoue, also the pioneer of yokai studies, wanted people to encounter philosophical thinking in everyday life — and wove supernatural elements throughout the grounds. The park's main gate, Tetsurimon, is nicknamed the Yokai Gate, flanked by statues of a tengu goblin and a ghost. Within the park you'll find the Ghost Plum tree and the site of the Tengu Pine, which legend says a tengu protected from being felled. Across 77 named spots, you'll stumble upon eerie-sounding landmarks like the Skull Hermitage and the Demon God's Grotto. Summer ghost story events are held here, and once a month, a guided tour grants access to the Absolute Castle library and other historic buildings normally off-limits. A tranquil, free-admission gem where you can immerse yourself in yokai culture, Tetsugakudo Park is one of Tokyo's most unusual and captivating attractions.

Rokkendai pavilion, a symbol of Tetsugakudo Park's landscape

The Tanuki Lantern, inspired by the shape-shifting raccoon-dog that bewitches humans