Written by Aarohi Narain
Spook yourself out.
What to expect
Supernatural entities, spirits, and monsters in Japanese folklore are collectively referred to as yōkai. This Nagoya exhibition uses cutting-edge technology and 3D models to conjure the eerie yōkai that once haunted the Edo and Meiji periods.
The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons (Hyakki Yagyō in Japanese) is one of Japan’s most enduring ghost stories: a procession of otherworldly creatures said to spill into the streets on summer nights.
The exhibition recreates the scenes with projection mapping, so that horned oni (ogres), sly kappa (frog-like water imps), and mountain-dwelling tengu (red-faced beings with long noses and wings) seem to pass just an arm’s length away. Alongside them are the uncanny tsukumogami — everyday tools transformed into vengeful creatures after a hundred years.
Anchoring the exhibition are original scrolls, caricatures, and rare books from Nishio City’s Iwase Bunko and the Shodoshima Yōkai Art Museum.
Schedule 2025
On weekends, expect to see special appearances from playful real-life yōkai. Each Saturday and Sunday, one or two life-sized tengu, oni, kappa, and zashiki-warashi (mischievous child yōkai) will roam through the venue, welcoming selfies from morning until close.
Each Saturday at 4 p.m. , though, keep an eye out for the extra spooky guys. From 4 until 8 p.m., an extra one or two scary yōkai such as spooky yuki-onna snow ladies, various oni, and even King Enma, the ruler of hell, may show up to cause havoc.
The venue is open from 9:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily. Last entry is 7:30 p.m. throughout the exhibition period.
Tickets 2025
Tickets cost ¥2,200 for adults. Reserve your tickets here.
How to get there
From Nagoya Station, take either the Tōkaidō Line or Chūō Line. Ride for one stop and get off at Kanayama Station. The venue, the Kanayama Minami Building Museum of Art (formerly the Nagoya Boston Museum of Fine Arts), is a 6-minute walk from the South Exit. The entire journey should take no more than 10 minutes.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.Add to Calendar
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Adults:
At the door: ¥2,200
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Children:
At the door: ¥700
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Students:
At the door: ¥1,500
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Over 65s:
At the door: ¥1,900
