The myths of old Japan
Japanese mythology is full of gods, spirits and strange creatures, and this puzzle gathers them. You'll be finding the sun goddess AMATERASU, the storm god SUSANOO, the moon god TSUKUYOMI, and the creator pair IZANAGI and IZANAMI who, the stories say, made the islands of Japan.
Because every new puzzle reshuffles the legends, no two Japanese mythology word searches are the same. One round a backwards KAGUTSUCHI hides in a corner; the next a diagonal AMATERASU appears across the middle.
Gods, spirits and yokai
The world of Japanese myth is alive with KAMI (gods and SPIRIT-s) and YOKAI (strange creatures), and the words are here. There's the thunder god RAIJIN and the wind god FUJIN, the rice god INARI and the dragon king RYUJIN, the goddess BENZAITEN and the fire god KAGUTSUCHI. Among the yokai you'll find the shape-shifting fox KITSUNE and raccoon-dog TANUKI, the long-nosed TENGU, the water-dwelling KAPPA and the fearsome ONI — all part of the SHINTO tradition, honoured at a TORII gate and a SHRINE.
It's a great fit for a mythology topic. Tracking down A-M-A-T-E-R-A-S-U turns spelling practice into a Japanese legend.
How to play
Drag across a word, or click its first and last letter — both work. Each word you spot locks in with its own colour and ticks off the list, so you always know what's left to find.
Want a real challenge? Switch to Medium or Hard for a bigger grid with diagonals and reverse words. Stuck on one? Tap Hint for a nudge, or Solve to reveal the whole grid at once.
Print a Japanese mythology word search pack
Tap Download for a printable PDF of fresh Japanese mythology puzzles, with optional answer keys. Choose how many you want and how many per page — perfect for a mythology topic, a classroom, or a quiet afternoon.
Teachers love these for a world-mythology theme. Add a name-and-date line and you've got ready-to-print worksheets in seconds, free and account-free.
Frequently asked questions
What's in the Japanese mythology word search?
Gods, spirits and creatures of Japanese myth — Amaterasu, Susanoo, Tsukuyomi, Izanagi and Izanami, the gods Raijin, Fujin, Inari and Ryujin, and yokai like the kitsune, tanuki, tengu, kappa and oni. Each puzzle uses a fresh mix.
Is the Japanese mythology word search free to print?
Yes. Play free online or download a printable PDF pack with optional answer keys — no sign-up required.
Is it suitable for kids?
Absolutely. Easy mode keeps the grid small with no diagonals or reverse words, perfect for a mythology lesson and young learners.