Yokai Art Market

The Yokai Art Market caters to lovers of all things weird and supernatural. Contemporary artists base their spooky creations on Japanese folklore. Get yokai in the shape of dolls and plushies, or carry them with you on key chains or straps for mobile phones. More experimental fans can shop for masks and clothes - and may be able to use them immediately: Some of the Yokai Art Markets also feature yokai parades (and always look for volunteer spooks!)

Yokai (strange apparition) are a type of spirits and supernatural beings from Japanese folklore. While they are often seen as mischievous or even malevolent, they can also be beneficia to humans. They come in many shapes and sizes, like human or animal, based on plants or household objects, or they may have no shape at all.

Yukai date back to ancient history, where they were seen as cause of inexplicable, strange phenomena. Stories of yokai were immortalized in literature and passed on for generations, however, depictions of them only appeared in Medieval Japan. During the Edo period, many famous artists created images of yokai, and the huge demand for stories led to the invention of new creatures.

In modern times, many yokai based on natural phenomena or objects that are no longer used have lost their ability to frighten people and are seen as rather comical instead. However, brand new yokai are still being created, and who knows, they might just lurk around the next dark corner...