Ghostly Kyoto - 87 Supernatural Tales from Japan

By: Éric Faure

Published by Shambhala Publications, 2026-06-09

Ancient temples, haunted bridges, and spectral women—discover 87 supernatural tales where Kyoto’s history and Buddhist lore entwine with restless spirits, Hungry Ghosts, and the rituals that keep them at bay.

In Kyoto, ghosts are not just stories—they are neighbors, warnings, and, sometimes, protectors. This atmospheric collection gathers 87 supernatural legends from Japan’s former capital, where every street corner, shrine, and cherry tree harbors its own haunting. From the fires of Obon guiding the ancestors home to the Demon’s Gate and the wells said to lead straight to Hell, each tale pulses with the city’s living relationship to the otherworld.

Meet vengeful onryo, Hungry Ghosts with insatiable cravings, and poetic spirits trapped in the Six Realms. Witness monks who bargain with the King of Hell, statues that bleed or move, and women whose longing lingers for centuries. These stories are drawn from centuries-old chronicles, temple lore, and the whispered warnings of Kyoto cab drivers.

Written with the intimacy of a local and the curiosity of a folklorist, this book is a rare English-language treasury of Japanese ghost stories—perfect for readers fascinated by yokai, Buddhist afterlife, and the mysterious rituals that shape Kyoto’s everyday life. These tales will change the way you see the city—and what walks its shadowed lanes.