Yokai of Nara

Records in Nara

Ippon-datara

一本だたら（いっぽんだたら）

In the Kii mountains a one-legged thing leaves enormous single tracks in the snow — and Yanagita Kunio, reporting them, declined to conclude a one-legged creature from footprints alone.

Mountain · Snow · Road
Harmful

Danger 3/5 Editorial rating Danger rating 3 out of 5. This is an editorial rating, not a folklore measurement.

undated Obamine, Kamikitayama Folklore record
Twentieth of the twelfth month: stay off the mountain

Betobeto-san

べとべとさん（べとべとさん）

On a night road in Uda you hear a bita-bita footfall coming along behind you. There is nobody there. Step aside, say the words, and it stops — which is the entire record.

Road
Neutral

Danger 1/5 Editorial rating Danger rating 1 out of 5. This is an editorial rating, not a folklore measurement.

1956 Uda District Folklore record
Footsteps behind you at night; step aside and say 'please go ahead'

Places to visit in Nara

Gangōji 元興寺 Shrine or temple Nara, Nara — The old temple in the lanes of Naramachi whose bell tower was haunted by the demon Gagoze, caught by a boy of superhuman strength.

Places to Visit