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EveryJaadu

Betobeto-san

In its own language: べとべとさん

A Japanese yōkai that follows walkers on dark roads and makes footsteps sounds.

Legendary

Betobeto-san is a Japanese yōkai known for following people who walk at night. It is said to make footsteps sounds behind the walker, but it does not cause harm. People in Nara and Shizuoka have specific customs to make it go away.

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  • Betobeto-san follows walkers on dark roads.
  • It makes footsteps sounds behind the person.
  • Saying 'Go ahead' makes it leave in Nara.
  • Shigeru Mizuki claimed to see it.
  • Similar to Bishakutsu and Teke Teke.

What it is

Betobeto-san is a type of yōkai from Japan. A yōkai is a spirit or monster in Japanese folklore. This one is known for following people who walk alone at night. It makes a sound like footsteps behind the person. The name Betobeto-san comes from the sticky sound of those steps. It is not considered dangerous. It simply follows and makes noise.

Where it comes from

The creature is part of Japanese folk tales. It is mentioned in sources from Nara and Shizuoka prefectures. In Nara, it is linked to dark night roads. In Shizuoka, it appears when descending small mountains. Manga artist Shigeru Mizuki claimed to have seen something similar. His hometown station was nicknamed after the yōkai.

How it is done

If you hear footsteps behind you, stop and move to the side of the road. In Nara, say 'Go ahead, Betobeto-san.' In Shizuoka, say 'coming' or 'Please go ahead.' These words are believed to make the entity leave you alone. The goal is to let it pass without interaction.

Tools and materials

No tools are used. The only requirement is speech. The walker must speak specific phrases to the air. The environment matters more than objects. Dark roads and mountain paths are where it is found.

Betobeto-san, drawn and placed

Emblem With the feather shape. Drawn from this page, not a photograph.
  1. Living
  2. Revived
  3. Fading
  4. Historical
  5. Legendary
  6. Performed
Standing: Legendary Known from myth, story and legend rather than from recorded practice. This says whether people still do it, not whether it works.
A feather: used in cleansing and blessing in some traditions, worn as a sign of office, and carried as a charm.
Lineage
Japanese folklore
Where it sits The tradition it belongs to, and when it is done.

What it is for

People encounter it by accident while walking at night. They do not seek it out. The purpose of the ritual is safety and peace. It stops the feeling of being followed. It removes the fear of an unseen presence.

Who does it

Any person walking at night can encounter it. No special training is needed. Scholars study it as part of folklore. Mizuki documented his experience as a witness. It is a common belief in certain regions.

Peoples and places

It is found in Japan. Nara Prefecture has the custom of saying 'Go ahead.' Shizuoka Prefecture uses different phrases. Fukui Prefecture has a similar concept called Bishakutsu. Teke Teke is another related footsteps monster.

At a glance: who, where and when

Peoples

Japanese

What people believe

It is a spirit that mimics human movement. It does not intend harm. It is a ghostly companion. The sound of feet is its main trait. It is invisible to most but heard clearly.

When it is done

It happens at night. Dark roads are the best places. Winter sleet might help see it in some areas. There are no specific festivals for it.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Folklorists study it as a regional legend. It is compared to other footsteps monsters. Bishakutsu in Fukui is seen as the same kind. Teke Teke is also similar. Mizuki's account adds to the modern record.

Cautions and what is closed

It is not harmful. No health risks are reported. No legal issues exist. It is a harmless superstition.

Compare and confuse

Bishakutsu in Fukui is very similar. It involves seeing invisible objects in winter sleet. Teke Teke is another footsteps monster. Both share the trait of making noise while following.

Questions people ask about Betobeto-san

What is Betobeto-san?

It is a Japanese yōkai that follows people walking at night. It makes footsteps sounds behind them. It is not harmful and just wants to pass.

Where does it come from?

It comes from Japanese folklore. It is known in Nara and Shizuoka prefectures. It is part of local legends about night walks.

How do I make it go away?

Stop and move to the side of the road. Say 'Go ahead, Betobeto-san' in Nara. In Shizuoka, say 'coming' or 'Please go ahead.'

Is it dangerous?

No. It is said not to cause harm. It is just a spirit that follows and makes noise. It is a harmless part of folklore.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Betobeto-san", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-14.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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