Japanese Folk Tales
Discover our collection of 34 Japanese folk tales — enchanting stories from the Land of the Rising Sun. Japanese folklore weaves together Shinto animism, Buddhist philosophy, and a deep reverence for nature into narratives of haunting beauty and profound wisdom.
Our collection includes beloved classics like Momotaro (The Peach Boy), The Bamboo Cutter, Urashima Taro, and The Tongue-Cut Sparrow, alongside lesser-known gems from Japan’s regional storytelling traditions. These tales feature kitsune (fox spirits), tanuki (raccoon dogs), oni (demons), and other supernatural beings alongside everyday heroes who triumph through kindness, courage, and cleverness.
Japanese folk tales are treasured for their aesthetic sensitivity, moral clarity, and emotional depth. Each story is retold with cultural authenticity, making this collection ideal for children, students of Japanese culture, and anyone captivated by Asian folklore.
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
An Old Chinese Story
An Old Chinese Story: Long, long ago there lived a great Chinese Empress who succeeded her brother the Emperor Fuki. It was the age of giants, and the Empress
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
How An Old Man Lost His Wen
How An Old Man Lost His Wen: Many, many years ago there lived a good old man who had a wen like a tennis-ball growing out of his right cheek. This lump was a
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
Momotaro, Or The Story Of The Son Of A Peach
Momotaro, Or The Story Of The Son Of A Peach: Long, long ago there lived, an old man and an old woman; they were peasants, and had to work hard to earn their
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Ogre Of Rashomon
The Ogre Of Rashomon: Long, long ago in Kyoto, the people of the city were terrified by accounts of a dreadful ogre, who, it was said, haunted the Gate of
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Story Of Prince Yamato Take
The Story Of Prince Yamato Take: The insignia of the great Japanese Empire is composed of three treasures which have been considered sacred, and guarded with
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The White Hare And The Crocodiles
The White Hare And The Crocodiles: Long, long ago, when all the animals could talk, there lived in the province of Inaba in Japan, a little white hare. The
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Quarrel Of The Monkey And The Crab
The Quarrel Of The Monkey And The Crab: Long, long ago, one bright autumn day in Japan, it happened, that a pink-faced monkey and a yellow crab were playing
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Jelly Fish And The Monkey
The Jelly Fish And The Monkey: Long, long ago, in old Japan, the Kingdom of the Sea was governed by a wonderful King. He was called Rin Jin, or the Dragon King
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Story Of The Old Man Who Made Withered Trees To Flower
The Story Of The Old Man Who Made Withered Trees To Flower: Long, long ago there lived an old man and his wife who supported themselves by cultivating a small
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Happy Hunter And The Skillful Fisher
The Happy Hunter And The Skillful Fisher: Long, long ago Japan was governed by Hohodemi, the fourth Mikoto (or Augustness) in descent from the illustrious
Japanese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Sagacious Monkey And The Boar
A clever monkey and a strong boar overcome their differences to work together, discovering that cooperation beats individual struggle.
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Goblin Of Adachigahara
The Goblin Of Adachigahara: Long, long ago there was a large plain called Adachigahara, in the province of Mutsu in Japan. This place was said to be haunted by