Iyaya (Japan)

Observed from behind, iyaya appear as attractive women, elegantly adorned in beautiful kimonos. However, upon being addressed, they turn around to reveal their ugly, wrinkled faces of elderly men. In Japanese, “Iya” is translated as no. Iyaya is a yokai named as such because of its ability to startle those who encounter it, prompting them to exclaim, “Nooo!” 

Iyaya are harmless, as all they do is frighten drunken men or travelers. Sightings of iyaya are said to be more common during late evenings, particularly in urban areas where there is a higher chance of running into lone travelers.