A Mystical Yokai World Among Things to Do in Nagoya

One of the most exciting things to do in Nagoya right now is the YOKAI Immersive Experience Exhibition. This exclusive event ran for only about two months and showed how Japanese culture could be told magically and creatively using top-level tech and art. Want to know what else made it so special? Keep reading to discover more about this one-of-a-kind summer event!

What is the YOKAI Immersive Experience Exhibition?

The YOKAI Immersive Experience Exhibition is the world’s first digital art show made just for yokai! It will be held at the Kanayama Minami Building Museum of Art in Nagoya (Aichi Prefecture) from July 19 to September 23, 2025. The event was created to share Japan’s yokai culture in a new and exciting way. Using the power of modern technology, it will mix history, art, and stories to bring these legendary creatures closer to people today. 

Yokai are amazing creatures from old Japanese myths and folklore. Long ago, artists from the Edo (1603-1868) and Meiji (1868-1912) periods painted them in scrolls and books. At this exhibition, famous yokai are brought to life by advanced technology. Visitors can enter a moving, glowing world where art feels real and alive!

This project also works with the Iwase Bunko Library, Japan’s first rare book museum, and the Yokai Art Museum on Shodoshima Island. Together, they help explain yokai art, old paintings, and the history behind these creatures. The goal is to let kids and adults have fun, understand, and playfully explore Japanese culture. It’s one of the most unique things for families and travelers alike to do in Nagoya!

What are the must-see things when visiting here?

The first thing to try is the magical 3D world of yokai! Using special technology such as 3DCG, projection mapping, and holographic screens, the creatures move, glow, and surround you. You can even step into a yokai picture scroll, walk among them, and take photos and videos!

Another big attraction is the lifelike sculptures of yokai! Oni, tengu, kappa, and even tsukumogami appear right before you. These sculptures are carefully made so that you can enjoy their funny faces, colorful clothes, and even textures up close. The mix of digital effects and real figures makes the experience even more exciting!

If you love learning, the exhibition also shares rare artworks and history. You can see original ukiyo-e prints by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi and other valuable yokai art from earlier periods of Japan. With help from the Iwase Bunko Library and the Yokai Art Museum, you’ll discover how these creatures shaped Japanese folklore and still inspire today’s pop culture. The exhibition is designed for all ages, with simple, nonverbal displays. Visitors can read the explanations in Japanese or English!

Are you looking for great snacks to enjoy while attending cool events? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat delivers limited-edition Japanese noodles, drinks, snacks, and sweets right to your door so you can enjoy the latest seasonal drinks and snacks directly from Japan!

What cool events have been held here?

During the YOKAI Immersive Experience Exhibition, visitors were treated to many lively and spooky events. On weekends and during Obon, jolly yokai like the tengu, demon, kappa, and zashiki-warashi roamed the hall. Kids and adults snapped photos, laughed, and enjoyed entering the colorful world of Japanese spirits. The mix of costumes and high-tech lights made the place shine with magic.

Saturdays became extra special with the “Extra-Spooky Yokai Greeting”. In the late afternoon, scarier yokai such as yuki-onna, amikiri, and even King Enma appeared. The atmosphere grew darker, and guests felt the thrill of walking into a mysterious night world. Families held hands, smiled, and faced these eerie figures together. It turned into a playful yet chilling adventure for all ages.

One highlight was the Osu YOKAI Hyakki Yako Parade, which celebrated the grand opening. It filled the Osu Shopping Street with drumming, dancing, and colorful costumes. Crowds watched yokai march joyfully under the summer sky as the Osu Summer Festival buzzed around them. The parade brought traditional spirits into the heart of Nagoya, making it unforgettable.

Why is this one of the best things to do in Nagoya?

Nagoya is known as one of Japan’s leading industrial and technology cities, and it is filled with innovation and modern energy. The YOKAI Immersive Experience Exhibition added something different to this image by showing how imagination and culture can meet in playful and creative ways. It was not just an event about folklore, but also about how art and technology can bring the past closer to today.

Many people saw it as one of the best things to do in Nagoya. This is because it connected families, travelers, and locals through a fun and thoughtful experience. It also reminded people that even in a city famous for cars, machines, and modern growth, there is space to celebrate stories, myths, and creativity. Have you ever attended an art event that felt magical like this? Do you wish there were more unique shows like it someday?

Cited Sources

• Yokai Immersive Experience Exhibition. “Main Page (English)“.
• Japan Travel. “Yokai Immersive Exhibition NAGOYA 2025“.
• Tokyo Art Beat. “Yokai Immersive Experience Exhibition Nagoya – Imagination of Japan“.