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Supernatural Japan

Supernatural Japan explores the dark, mysterious, and unexplained side of Japan. Each episode uncovers the country’s most chilling Japanese ghost stories, haunted places, urban legends, yokai, spirits, folklore, true crime, and paranormal mysteries.

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23 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 33 min
English

Episodes 23

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Tuesday · 47 min
Summer Scares in Japan
Summer Scares in Japan In this episode of Supernatural Japan, Japan’s “spooky season” is coming to an end! Listen to host Kevin O’Shea and writer Phillip Jackson talk about summer chills in Japan and the end of the Obon season. Although Halloween is the time when people in many parts of the world tell ghost stories and tune into the paranormal, summer- specifically Obon- is when the veil between the spirit world and our world is thinnest in Japan. Learn about spooky places, haunting connections to nature, the Kyot Gozan Okuribi, and more. Find Phillip’s work: https://www.hiddenpathskyoto.com/ Website: supernaturaljapan.com Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 18 · 1 hr 13 min
Hibagon: The Search Continues
In this episode of Supernatural Japan, I catch up once again with Hibagon researcher Todd Brink to hear the latest developments in his ongoing search for Japan’s legendary wild man. We revisit the mystery of Hibagon, the Bigfoot-like creature reportedly seen in Hiroshima’s Mount Hiba region since the 1970s, and explore Todd’s latest research, investigations, sightings, and theories. If you’re fascinated by Japanese cryptids, Bigfoot, mysterious creatures, Japanese folklore, and unexplained phenomena, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Kyle’s Book: “Hibagon: Japan’s Bigfoot” (Amazon) Kyle’s YouTube channel Connect with Kyle: fecmohawk@gmail.com Website: supernaturaljapan.com Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 13 · 23 min
Haunted Tunnels of Japan
Why are so many tunnels in Japan considered haunted? In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we descend into three of the country's most notorious haunted tunnels: Kyoto's eerie Kiyotaki Tunnel, Tokyo's Sendagaya Tunnel beneath a cemetery, and the mysterious Old Komine Tunnel in Hachioji. We explore the ghost stories, urban legends, tragic histories, and reported supernatural encounters associated with these dark passageways, while examining why tunnels around the world have become natural settings for ghost stories. From mysterious apparitions and unexplained sounds to Japanese folklore and the psychology of fear, discover why entering a tunnel can feel like crossing into another world. Website: supernaturaljapan.com Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 11 · 51 min
Yokai, Folklore and Japan with Zack Davisson
In this episode of Supernatural Japan, host Kevin O’Shea talks to Zack Davisson, award-winning writer, translator, folklorist, and one of the leading English-language experts on Japanese folklore and the supernatural. They discuss his translation work and relationship with the late, great Shigeru Mizuki, creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro, as well as the evolution of yōkai from feared monsters to pop-culture icons. He also tells us about his own writing and role as a folklorist. Zack tells us about his Japan “origin story” and about his upcoming book, “Kaibyō: The Supernatural Cats of Japan.” Kevin and Zack then continue their conversation for another episode over in the Members’ Section on Patreon! To learn more about what Zack is up to, check out: zackdavisson.com To listen to another amazing conversation with Zack, consider becoming a Member @Patreon Website: supernaturaljapan.com Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Become a Member: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 8 · 3 min
Release Day Change - Supernatural Japan
The release day for the main episode of Supernatural Japan will now be on Tuesday, and the smaller, companion episodes will be released on Thursdays. Have no fear, you will all get the same number of episodes a month, they will just come out on diferent days from now on. Thanks for being so awesome and so spooky! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 6 · 39 min
You Might Also Like: Cryptid Cocktail Party
The Black Flash Of Provincetown (The Devil of the Dunes). Dave and Sarge take a look at the high-jumping, flame-spitting, cloaked entity that terrorized Provincetown, MA during the late 1930s/early 1940s. Find Cryptid Cocktail Party on Apple Podcasts Listen to Cryptid Cocktail Party on Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 4 · 17 min
Tokyo's Most Feared Spirit (Taira no Masakado)
In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore the haunting legacy of Taira no Masakado, the legendary 10th-century samurai whose violent death gave rise to one of Japan's most enduring ghost stories. Discover the history behind his rebellion, the terrifying curses linked to his restless spirit, and why his grave in the heart of Tokyo is still respected—and feared—by politicians, business leaders, and locals alike. Is Masakado's ghost still watching over Japan's capital? Cover Art Credit: Matthew Meyer Website: supernaturaljapan.com Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 1 · 54 min
Ghosts of Osaka
In this episode of Supernatural Japan, host Kevin O’Shea and returning guest Phillip Jackson explore the streets of downtown Osaka, Japan, while sharing haunting tales about the area. Phillip shares some dark history about why many say the area around Yodoyabashi in downtown Osaka is haunted. Will they see ghostly hands reaching out from the nearby river? Kevin shares a story about samurai ghosts, paranormal battle sounds, and other ghostly apparitions in Tennoji Park in the south of Osaka, as well as the Whitey Fountain and Woman in Red urban legends connected to Umeda’s labyrinth of underground passages. If you like haunted Japanese history, this is the podcast for you! Website: supernaturaljapan.com Find Phillip Jackson: hiddenpathskyoto.com and Instagram: @kyotoadventure Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 28 · 17 min
Neko Musume: The Cat Daughter Yokai
Step into the mysterious world of Japanese folklore as Supernatural Japan explores the legend of the Neko Musume (Cat Daughter) — a supernatural being inspired by Japan’s deep connection with cats, yokai traditions, and shapeshifting creatures. Discover the origins of this strange and fascinating yokai, how Neko Musume has evolved through folklore, manga, and anime, and why cats have long held a special place in Japanese culture. From ancient beliefs about magical cats to modern interpretations of this iconic character, join us for a journey into the darker side of Japan’s supernatural stories, myths, and legends. Website: supernaturaljapan.com Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 25 · 32 min
Japan’s Mysterious Rock Ship
Hidden among the hills of Asuka, Nara, Japan, lies the mysterious Masuda Iwafune 益田岩船 - Rock Ship of Masuda — a massive ancient stone monument surrounded by unanswered questions. In this episode of Supernatural Japan, Kevin and his son visit the actual Rock Ship of Masuda with regular guest Phillip Jackson to investigate its strange origins, forgotten history, and the legends surrounding one of Japan’s most fascinating archaeological mysteries. Website: supernaturaljapan.com Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 18 · 59 min
Hibagon (ヒバゴン) - Japan’s Bigfoot
We revisit this classic Supernatural Japan episode. The Hibagon (ヒバゴン) is the Japanese equivalent of the North American Bigfoot. Many believe that it inhabits the areas around Mount Hiba in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. In this episode, we talk to Canadian author Kyle Brink. He has been researching Hibagon for many years and is based in Hiroshima Prefecture. He is the author of the book, “Hibagon: Japanese Bigfoot.” If you are a fan of cryptids and Bigfoot lore, you’ll love this episode! Website: supernaturaljapan.com Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 11 · 1 hr 39 min
The 88 Temples Pilgrimage (Encore Episode)
In this episode of the podcast (originally Episodes 7 and 8), we talk to Japan resident, Kevin Tarpey who is walking the famed 88 Temples Pilgrimage on the island of Shikoku. Henry or pilgrims have been walking this route for generations for many different reasons. Many are spiritual while others for a sense of adventure. Kevin shares some of his amazing experiences and stories from his walking journey around Shikoku. Follow Kevin Tarpey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegreenhoof Website: supernaturaljapan.com Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 7 · 46 min
The Gifu Poltergeist
This week, we revisit a classic Supernatural Japan episode. Host, Kevin O’Shea, chats with Japan-based writer Phillip Jackson. He talks about his new book, Paranormal Japan, as well as Tengu and Other Stories. Phillip shares some tales from his latest book, including ones about the Gifu Poltergeist and the haunted Sendagaya Tunnel in Tokyo. Kevin and Phillip also discuss other Japanese folklore and some of their favorite spooky podcasts, including The Uncanny Podcast, The Battersea Poltergeist, The Witch Farm, Morbid Podcast, and The Nighttime Podcast. Check out Phillip’s website for books and tours: Hidden Paths Kyoto: https://www.hiddenpathskyoto.com/ Website: supernaturaljapan.com Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 4 · 25 min
Encore Episode: Mysterious Crows in Japan - Karasu カラス
Host Kevin O’Shea takes a look at an animal that appears in Japanese mythology. Crows are fascinating creatures that exhibit high levels of intelligence. They appear in legends around the world and Japan is no exception. Crows or Karasu カラス may get a bad wrap from some, but for others, they are creatures to be revered. Website: supernaturaljapan.com Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 30 · 13 min
Noppera-bo: The Faceless Yokai
In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore one of the most unsettling yokai in Japanese folklore—the noppera-bō (のっぺらぼう), the infamous faceless spirit said to appear as an ordinary person before revealing a smooth, featureless void where a human face should be. Delving into Edo-period ghost stories, cultural symbolism, and psychological horror, we uncover how these faceless beings reflect deep fears of identity loss, misrecognition, and the uncanny in everyday life. From the legendary Akasaka “Mujina” encounter to modern interpretations in Japanese urban legend and horror culture, this episode reveals why the noppera-bō continues to haunt imaginations as a symbol of quiet, existential terror that hides in plain sight. Website: supernaturaljapan.com Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 27 · 24 min
The Kofu Incident: Japan’s Roswell?
In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we investigate the chilling 1975 Kofu Incident in Yamanashi Prefecture, where two schoolboys reported seeing strange orange lights descend into a quiet vineyard—only to later claim a close encounter with a landed craft and a humanoid figure. Often compared to global “close encounter” cases, the Kofu Incident has become one of Japan’s most debated UFO mysteries, supported by alleged landing-site traces, multiple witness accounts, and decades of ongoing speculation from UFO researchers. We break down what the boys saw, what investigators found in the vineyard, and why skeptics still question every detail of the story. Was it a misidentified aircraft, childhood misperception, or something far stranger breaking through the winter sky over rural Japan? Website: supernaturaljapan.com Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Check out the Graveyard Tales episode “Mt. Fuji” where they discuss The Kofu Incident: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mt-fuji/id1294529191?i=1000765372585 Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 20 · 24 min
Yurei: Japan’s Vengeful Ghosts
In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore the mysterious world of Yūrei, Japan’s legendary ghosts and restless spirits. Discover the origins of Yūrei in Japanese folklore, the traits that set them apart from Western ghosts, and the cultural beliefs that have shaped their stories for centuries. From vengeful spirits seeking justice to tragic souls unable to move on, we examine some of Japan’s most famous Yūrei tales and their lasting influence on horror films, ghost stories, and popular culture. Join us as we uncover the haunting legends behind Japan’s most iconic supernatural beings. Website: supernaturaljapan.com Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 16 · 11 min
Azuki Arai - The Bean Washer Yokai
In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore the legend of the Azuki Arai, a mysterious Japanese yōkai said to haunt rivers and mountain streams, endlessly washing red azuki beans in the darkness. Feared for the eerie sounds it makes at night, this strange spirit has appeared in folklore across Japan for centuries. Discover the origins, regional stories, and cultural meaning behind one of Japan’s most unusual supernatural creatures Website: supernaturaljapan.com Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 13 · 24 min
The Ghost That Brings Good Luck
In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore the mysterious world of Zashiki Warashi, Japan's legendary child spirits said to bring good fortune, prosperity, and protection to the homes they inhabit. Discover the origins of these beloved yokai in Japanese folklore, hear chilling and heartwarming stories of families who claimed to encounter them, and learn why sightings of Zashiki Warashi are often linked to luck, wealth, and sudden misfortune when they disappear. From traditional inns famous for their resident spirits to centuries-old legends passed down through northern Japan, join us as we uncover the fascinating history and supernatural mysteries surrounding one of Japan's most enchanting ghostly beings. Website: supernaturaljapan.com Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 9 · 12 min
Japan’s Haunted Okiku Doll
Discover the chilling legend of the Okiku Doll in this episode of Supernatural Japan. Explore the mysterious Japanese doll whose hair is said to grow on its own, the origins of this eerie tale, and the folklore that surrounds it. From historical context to spine-tingling stories, we uncover why the Okiku Doll continues to captivate and haunt Japan. Website: supernaturaljapan.com Supernatural Japan locations map: Google Map Get lots of Premium and Exclusive Content and Ad-free Episodes! Premium membership: @patreon Support on: @BuyMeACoffee Tales from Kevin (my expat diary podcast) Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: supernaturaljapan@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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