Top 10 Games Based on Japanese Folklore and Mythology

Many video games use Japanese folklore and old stories to build beautiful and sometimes scary worlds. In these games, you meet yokai oni, gods, and ghosts at the same time, exploring various themes like villages, forests, and temples. They are not only about fighting or fear. They also help players learn about Japanese culture, beliefs, and history in a fun way.

Below are ten games that use Japanese folklore and mythology in a smart and very interesting way to engage you for a long time. They come from different genres like action, horror, and RPGs, but all of them are deeply inspired by traditional Japanese stories.

10 Games Based on Japanese Folklore and Mythology

Before going into details, here is a quick look at the games covered in this list. They are ranked from ten to one based on how strongly they use Japanese folklore and mythology in their world and gameplay.

Yo-kai Watch

Yo-kai Watch is a very interesting game that will introduce you to Japanese folklore in a very simple way. You play as a child who gets a special watch that lets him see yokai. Yokai are spirits that cause small problems in daily life, like bad moods or strange accidents.

Many yokai in the game are based on real legends, such as umbrella ghosts, cat spirits, and mischievous creatures. The game turns old scary stories into cute characters and light-hearted adventures. It is perfect for younger players and beginners who want to learn about folklore without fear, much like how strong narrative-driven titles are highlighted in lists such as the Top 10 Best Video Game Stories.

Toukiden: The Age of Demons

Toukiden is an action game where players hunt giant demons that are also known as oni. These demons come straight from Japanese myths and are designed with unique-looking armor and weapons inspired by old legends.

The world feels like ancient Japan with shrines, villages, and warriors. The story focuses on humans fighting monsters to protect the land. This game feels like stepping into a classic tale where brave heroes face powerful demons to save humanity.

Onimusha Warlords

Onimusha mixes samurai history with dark supernatural horror. You play as a swordsman fighting demonic enemies in a war-torn Japan. The demons in the game feel similar to oni and cursed spirits from the folklore of Japan, as they closely follow the original theme. You will see a lot of Magical items, spirit orbs, and haunted castles that give the game a legendary feel. It helped make the idea of samurai versus demons popular in video games.

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne

The story of the game takes place in a ruined version of Tokyo after a strange event destroys the normal world. The city turns into a dark and empty place where demons now roam freely. In this game, you will play as a human who survives this disaster and slowly gains special powers.

As you move forward, you meet different characters who all have their own beliefs about how the new world should be rebuilt. Some want order, and others want freedom. Your choices decide which path the world will take.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly

Fatal Frame II is one of the scariest games on this list. It is based on old Japanese ghost stories and traditions. The story follows two sisters who enter an empty village where spirits are trapped and angry. You do not use weapons. Instead, you fight ghosts with a haunted camera, which makes the game feel slow and very tense.

The game talks about sad ideas like twin sacrifices and souls that cannot move on. Its silence, dark places, and emotional story make the fear feel real and very Japanese in nature. Its structure feels similar to stealth-driven monster encounters seen in classics often featured in the Top 10 Best Stealth Video Games of All Time, where preparation and timing matter just as much as raw combat.

Nioh 2

Nioh 2 is set in ancient Japan and mixes real history with Japanese folklore. You play as a warrior who is half human and half yokai, which means you can use powerful supernatural abilities. The world is full of scary creatures from old stories, like mountain demons, river spirits, and wandering ghosts.

During battles in this game, you can even transform into a yokai yourself. This makes the myths feel alive, not just as enemies, but as a big part of the story and how the game is played.

Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima is the most popular game of recent times, which tells a story about Jin Sakai, who is a samurai forced to question his honor while defending his home from invasion. While the main story stays realistic, folklore appears through the way stories are told and remembered.

These stories speak of haunted places, mysterious warriors, and lessons about fear and courage. The Legends mode expands this idea by turning folk tales into playable stories. The game shows how myths grow from real events and emotions, making the world feel deeply connected to Japanese storytelling traditions.

Okami

You play as Amaterasu in this game, who is also known as the sun goddess, and returns to the world as a white wolf to bring life back to a land covered in darkness in the game. Along the journey, you meet gods, and various legendary creatures from old stories, including the fearsome eight-headed serpent Orochi.

What makes Okami special is how it tells its story through art and emotion. The world looks like a living ink painting, inspired by traditional Japanese art. The story feels warm, hopeful, and full of wonder, making ancient mythology feel alive and personal.

Yomawari Series

It tells small but very scary stories about children walking alone through their town at night. On the surface, the streets look normal and familiar, but once the sun goes down their, strange spirits begin to appear. These ghosts are inspired by Japanese urban legends and traditional yokai, making everyday places feel unsafe.

As you explore roads, parks, and shrines, the fear comes from silence and tension rather than loud action. The games show how old folklore still lives in modern Japan, especially in quiet moments when imagination takes over. Some moments are as heartbreaking as scenes discussed in 7 Saddest Death in Video Games that Still Hurts Fans, leaving a lasting emotional impact.

Nioh

Nioh earns the top spot because it completely takes you into Japanese folklore and mythology. In this game, you play as a samurai traveling through war-torn Japan, where your every step feels dangerous. Along the way, you face many yokai taken straight from old stories. Enemies are inspired by real myths, such as snow spirits, spider demons, and cursed monsters, as we have also seen in various anime. Even castles and villages feel haunted by the past.