night-wandering monster; folkloric creature that attacks people at night
A yōkai from Japanese folklore said to roam at night, injuring or abducting people. The term is primarily encountered in discussions of traditional ghost stories and regional legends.
The yadōkai is said to attack people in the middle of the night.
Old tales about the yadōkai remain in this region.
The exact origin is uncertain. The kanji 夜 (night), 道 (road), and 怪 (mystery/monster) suggest a creature associated with nighttime roads, fitting its folkloric description.