Japanese urban legends

Part of a series on
Japanese mythology and folklore
Mythic texts
Kojiki Nihon Shoki Fudoki Kujiki Kogo Shūi Konjaku Monogatarishū Nihon Ryōiki
Divinities
Amaterasu Ame-no-Uzume Inari Izanagi Izanami Kami Myōjin Seven Lucky Gods Susanoo Tsukuyomi
Legendary creatures and urban legends
Kitsune Oni Onryō Tengu Yōkai Yūrei
Mythical and sacred locations
Mount Hiei Mount Fuji Izumo Ryūgū-jō Takamagahara Yomi Jigoku
Sacred objects
Amenonuhoko Kusanagi Tonbogiri Three Sacred Treasures
Shintō and Buddhism
Bon Festival Setsubun Ema Torii Shinto shrines Buddhist temples
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A Japanese urban legend (日本の都市伝説, Nihon no toshi densetsu) is a story in Japanese folklore which is circulated as true. These urban legends are characterized by originating in or being popularized throughout the country of Japan. These urban legends commonly involve paranormal entities or creatures who encounter and attack humans, but the term can also encompass widespread, non-supernatural rumors in popular culture. Urban legends in the former category rarely include the folklore yōkai, instead of being primarily based on contemporary examples of yūrei (Japanese ghosts). Modern Japanese urban legends tend to occur in schools or urban settings, and some can be considered cautionary tales.