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
A Story Of Old Japan
A Story Of Old Japan: Long years ago in old Japan there lived in the Province of Echigo, a very remote part of Japan even in these days, a man and his wife.
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Bamboo-Cutter And The Moon-Child
The Bamboo-Cutter And The Moon-Child: Long, long ago, there lived an old bamboo wood-cutter. He was very poor and sad also, for no child had Heaven sent to
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Story Of The Man Who Did Not Wish To Die
The Story Of The Man Who Did Not Wish To Die: Long, long ago there lived a man called Sentaro. His surname meant “Millionaire,” but although he was not so rich
Japanese Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
Samurai!”
Samurai!”: The samurai represent one of history's most fascinating warrior traditions. For nearly a thousand years, from roughly the 11th century until the
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Adventures Of Kintaro, The Golden Boy
The Adventures Of Kintaro, The Golden Boy: Long, long ago there lived in Kyoto a brave soldier named Kintoki. Now he fell in love with a beautiful lady and
Japanese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The “Shinansha,” Or The South Pointing Carriage
The “Shinansha,” Or The South Pointing Carriage: The compass, with its needle always pointing to the North, is quite a common thing, and no one thinks that it
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Farmer And The Badger
The Farmer And The Badger: Long, long ago, there lived an old farmer and his wife who had made their home in the mountains, far from any town. Their only
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Story Of Urashima Taro, The Fisher Lad
The Story Of Urashima Taro, The Fisher Lad: Long, long ago in the province of Tango there lived on the shore of Japan in the little fishing village of
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Tongue-Cut Sparrow
The Tongue-Cut Sparrow: Long, long ago in Japan there lived an old man and his wife. The old man was a good, kind-hearted, hard-working old fellow, but his
Japanese Folk Tales
All Ages
My Lord Bag Of Rice
My Lord Bag Of Rice: Long, long ago there lived, in Japan a brave warrior known to all as Tawara Toda, or “My Lord Bag of Rice.” His true name was Fujiwara