Translation guide
The concept of the realm of the dead in Japanese is deeply tied to native Shinto and Buddhist beliefs. The most common term is あの世 (ano yo), literally 'that world', used in everyday conversation. More specific terms exist for Buddhist hells, the land of the dead in mythology, and literary expressions.
The most common, everyday way to refer to the realm of the dead, often in contrast to 'this world'.
Literally 'that world'. The standard, neutral term for the afterlife or realm of the dead. Used in everyday speech and writing.
彼はあの世へ旅立った。
He departed for the other world.
あの世で会おう。
We'll meet in the next world.
The land of the dead in Japanese mythology (Shinto). Often appears in classical literature and fantasy. Can be used in modern contexts for a mythological or archaic feel.
イザナミは黄泉の国に住んでいる。
Izanami dwells in the land of Yomi.
A more formal, literary term for the underworld or realm of the dead, often used in Buddhist contexts or fantasy settings.
冥界の王
king of the underworld
Buddhist term for the world of the dead, often used in the phrase 冥土の土産 (a souvenir for the afterlife, i.e., a good memory before dying). Somewhat old-fashioned.
冥土の土産に富士山を見たい。
I want to see Mt. Fuji as a memory to take to the afterlife.
When referring to a place of suffering after death, often in a Buddhist context.
The standard word for hell, both in religious and figurative senses. Refers to a realm of torment in Buddhist cosmology.
悪いことをすると地獄に落ちる。
If you do bad things, you'll fall into hell.
Originally the Sanskrit 'naraka', meaning hell. Often used figuratively for an inescapable abyss or the depths of despair. Common in drama and literature.
Specifically referring to the land of the dead in Japanese myth, often associated with Izanami and Izanagi.
The land of Yomi, the mythological underworld in Shinto. Often used when discussing the Kojiki or Japanese creation myths.
イザナギは黄泉の国から逃げ帰った。
Izanagi fled back from the land of Yomi.
Another mythological land of the dead, sometimes equated with Yomi. Appears in ancient texts.
あの世 is the everyday word for the afterlife, used in casual conversation. 黄泉 is specifically the mythological Shinto underworld, and 冥界 is a more formal, literary term often used in Buddhist or fantasy contexts. Use あの世 unless you need a specific nuance.
English phrases like 'realm of the dead' can sound overly dramatic or unnatural if translated word-for-word into Japanese. Stick to the established terms above depending on context.
日本神話では、死者の国は黄泉と呼ばれる。
In Japanese myth, the realm of the dead is called Yomi.
Uses 死者の国 (land of the dead) as a descriptive phrase, then names Yomi.
He was plunged into the abyss of despair.
Susanoo was banished to the land of the dead.