Uncanny Japan

Takiyasha Hime & the Gashadokuro: Japan's Frog-Riding Witch & Giant Skeleton (Ep. 186)

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A vengeful princess rides a giant toad into battle while a monstrous skeleton tears through castle walls — and these two legends are connected in wa...

Why the Year of the Fire Horse is Dreaded in Japan and Cursed Kimonos (Ep. 185)

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

2026 is the year of the fire horse—a year that happens only once every 60 years. Across East Asia, it symbolizes transformation, intensity, and bold...

Osechi: Japanese New Year Food Traditions (Ep. 184)

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if the meal sitting in those beautiful lacquered boxes held messages from the gods? In Japan, osechi-ryōri isn't just New Year's food—it's a...

Japanese Moon Lore: Selfless Rabbits, Murdered Goddesses, and Tsukimi (Ep. 183)

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don't point at the moon—you might wake up without your ears. In Japan, the moon rabbit isn't just making mochi. Its image was placed there by the g...

Hōichi the Earless: A Lafcadio Hearn Reading (Ep. 182)

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A blind musician is summoned to perform in the darkness. But who is listening? And what terrible price awaits a moment's oversight? Today I read to y...

What Empty Spaces Need (Audio Drama) (Ep. 181)

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

🎃 HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 🎃 This year's Halloween episode is a full-length audio drama based on the urban legend of Sukima-onna—the woman who watch...

Ame-onna - Rain Woman's Original Ghost Story (Ep. 180)

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're getting closer to Halloween. How about another ghost story? Ame-onna, the rain woman - a haggard looking thing, soaked to the bone, wandering r...

Japan's Most Famous Ghost: My Retelling of Oiwa and the Yotsuya Kaidan (Ep. 179)

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's October. Time to pull a blanket around your shoulders, light a candle against the dark, and listen to a good old-fashioned ghost story. There ar...

Sanshi: The Three Body-Parasite Problem (Ep. 178)

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I finally got to go on a walk again after all the oppressive August heat. I live around rice fields, mostly. There are some houses, of course, along t...

A Handful of Deadly Beach Beauties (Ep. 177)

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Japan's summer heat is inescapable, driving people to seek relief at the beach. But what if I told you there are supernatural dangers lurking along Ja...

Introducing Uncanny Japan

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Uncanny Japan is a podcast about all the more obscure corners of old Japan, from strange superstitions, cultural curiosities, to creepy creatures. Her...

Japanese Afterlife Guide: Navigate Buddhist Hell & Death (Ep. 176)

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

So, you've died in Japan. Let me help you navigate the underworld and if we can, avoid the nastiest hells. What does Japanese Buddhism suggest happen...

Taira no Masakado: The First Samurai's Flying Head & Tokyo's Cursed Shrine (Ep. 175)

02 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night wondering who Japan's first samurai was? And then maybe wondering if severed heads can actually fly?...

Saiō ga Uma: The Old Man's Horse & Finding Peace with Uncertainty (Ep. 174)

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's very strange, but this ancient Japanese proverb "Saiō ga Uma" has been popping up in my thoughts a lot lately. I kept hearing it mentioned, so I...

Susanoo: Japan's Storm God - Chaos to Redemption (Ep. 173)

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder what happens when a Japanese god has serious anger management issues? This is the second episode in my Myth Tales series, and I want to sh...

Tsuyu: Japan's Dreaded Fifth Season - Rain, Mold, and Yokai Spirits (Ep. 172)

24 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don't let anyone tell you Japan has four distinct seasons. You'll hear that a lot. But it's not true. Japan actually has five seasons. Everyone forget...

Tōdaiki: The Candlestick Demon & Tang Dynasty Diplomatic Horror (Ep. 171)

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Think modern travel is stressful? At least you probably won't end up transformed into a living candlestick by dark magic. I've always been fascinated...

Lafcadio Hearn's "Readings from a Dream Book": Mystical Meditations on Consciousness (Ep. 170)

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes we all need a little break from reality, and that's exactly what I'm offering in this deeply contemplative episode. Against the backdrop of ...

Ryūjin: Harnessing the Power of Japan's Undersea Dragon God (Ep. 169)

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's journey down to the bottom of the ocean to an underwater dragon palace called the Ryugu, or sometimes Ryugu-jo, owned and lorded over by Ryujin,...

Mt. Fuji: A Fire Resistant Princess and a Sword Licking Mystic (Ep. 168)

22 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mount Fuji isn't just Japan's tallest peak - it's home to some of the most extraordinary legends in Japanese folklore. In this episode, I tell you abo...

Kanto vs Kansai: How Japanese Regional Food Differs (Ep. 167)

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I talk about one of my favorite topics, one of the things that makes Japan special to me. It still gets me excited after all these yea...

The Golden Pavilion Has Weird Ghosts (Ep. 166)

22 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you think you know everything about Japan's most famous temple? I discovered I knew almost nothing at all about Kinkaku-ji. Its real...

Walking in Old Japan: The Historical Gokaidō Routes (Ep. 165)

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'll be taking you on a stroll along the walking routes of Old Edo. There were five main ones, called go-kaidō - the five Edo rou...

Fudō Myō: The Unshakable Buddhist Deity and Sacred Fire Ceremonies (Ep. 164)

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I'll be telling you about someone I've had a crush on for the past couple years, Fudō Myō, and also about a very cool fire ceremony...

Bodhidharma and Daruma Dolls: Zen Buddhism Origins (Ep. 163)

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'll be taking you on a journey that involves supernatural balance, a touch of kung fu fighting, cringeworthy acts of concentratio...

The Salt God and the Magic of Salt (Ep. 162)

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

During the 2011 Tōhoku tsunami, the water rose to the exact edge of Shiogama Shrine and retreated. At Japanese funerals, you're given salt to sprinkl...

Turbo Granny: Japanese Urban Legend of the Highway Phantom (Ep. 161)

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You're driving through a tunnel at 140 kilometers per hour when you hear knocking on the back window. You glance over your shoulder and see an old wom...

Japanese Kanji Animal Names: Sea Pigs, Dirt Dragons & Poetic Language (Ep. 160)

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In Japanese, some animals have names so creative they sound like fantasy creatures. Dirt dragons. Sea pigs. House protectors. Ocean moons. Today I'm ...

Story Time: "Go-Away Monkey" (Ep. 159)

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Okappa, a young woman living in a town ravaged by disease, encounters a traveling performer, Hanshiro, and his monkey, Fukumimi. WARNING: This story ...

Lafcadio Hearn's Haunting Story, Botan Dōrō: The Peony Lantern (Ep. 158)

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Follow the tragic tale of Hagiwara, a young samurai from Edo in this retelling of Lafcadio Hearn's "The Peony Lantern". [This description contains Am...

Japan's Three Great Ghost Stories (Ep. 157)

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Japan’s Three Great Ghost Stories, featuring vengeful female spirits, have captivated audiences for centuries through various art forms, including u...

Supernatural Trees Part 1: Bloodthirsty and Cursed (Ep. 156)

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Japanese folklore features various tree spirits, like Kodama protectors and Jubokko bloodsuckers, with camellias shifting from auspicious to ominous. ...

A Skit and a Caterpillar Cult: Tokoyo no Kami (Ep. 155)

01 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

An old timey audio drama skit/book promo and the strange caterpillar cult called Tokoyo no Kami. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. I...

Moshi Moshi! You're About to Meet Some Demons! (Ep. 154)

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Two fascinating phrases in Japanese that have very creepy origins. What are you really doing when you answer the phone "moshi moshi" anyway? [This de...

The Tragic (or not?) Tale of Anchin and Kiyohime (Ep. 153)

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Tale of Anchin and Kiyohime is an epic story of love, betrayal, and transformation into a serpent dragon, but there are several versions of this c...

Hokkaido Yōkai and Mythical Creatures (Ep. 152)

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido, also has its own brand of yōkai and mythical creatures. Here I talk about seven of them. [This descripti...

Chopsticks: Godly Tools or Death Bringers? ( Ep. 151)

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the intricacies of Japanese chopstick etiquette and lore. Learn about godly chopsticks, taboos that can bring death, and the concept of 'wa' ...

The Dangerous Truth about the Jorō Spider (Ep. 150)

15 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The joro spider, a colorful arachnid from Japan, is harmless but tied to folklore about shape-shifting brides who fatally ensnare lovers at waterfalls...

Beto Beto-san Vs Teke Teke: Things That Stalk You at Night (Ep. 149)

01 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listeners who are sensitive to these topics should be aware that the episode contains potentially disturbing content: TRIGGER WARNINGS: Blood & gore ...

Bug News: Body Parasites or Ghosts (Mushi no Shirase)? (Ep. 148)

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had a premonition or a foreboding feeling that turned out to be true? Was it a parasitic insect living in your belly or a ghost trying t...

Falling Trees: Tengu or Furusoma (Creepy Dead Guy)?(Ep. 147)

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If a you hear a tree fall in the woods, but can't find any sign of that fallen tree, is it the work of a tengu, a creepy dead guy ghost, or something ...

Story Time: The Mirror Maiden by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 146)

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'll read you Lafcadio Hearn's short story: The Mirror Maiden.  [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and ...

Ryomen Sukuna: Awesome Saint or Japan-Destroying Demon? (Ep. 145)

30 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The two-faced, eight-limbed giant named Ryomen Sukuna has been around since very early Japan, still is he a Buddhism-protecting hero or a cursed demon...

Teru Teru Bōzu: Cute, Magical, Unsettling Origins (Ep. 144)

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You'll often see ghostly-looking dolls strung up in windows in Japan on rainy days. What do they mean and why are they a little creepy? [This descrip...

Abe no Seimei & His Mysterious Place Near Me (Ep. 143)

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Abe no Seimei was the greatest onmyōji in Japan. While he lived in Kyoto, he visited Shizuoka at some point and performed some magic, giving us anoth...

Nami-Kozō: The Creepy Little Wave Boy (Ep. 142)

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A nanafushigi (seven mysterious things) and a local yokai, the Nami Kozō or Wave Boy has a number of variations to his story, some involving real his...

The All-powerful Five Elements and You (Ep. 141)

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In Japan there are two types of Five Elements, the gogyo and the godai and you can find them all throughout Japanese culture-in tea ceremony, martial ...

A Rollicking and Powerful Year of the Dragon 2024 (Ep. 140)

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! Happy New Year! This is Thersa Matsuura and you’re listening to Uncanny Japan, Season 8. We just moved from the year ...

Joya no Kane: Purify Yourself With This Episode (Ep. 139)

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Joya no Kane is the Buddhism tradition of ringing out the old year and ringing in the new one. Where did it come from and what does it mean? [This de...

Shochikubai: Pine, Bamboo, Plum and Samurai Shade (Ep. 138)

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shochikubai means "pine, bamboo, plum" and are considered the three winter friends. You'll find them in New Year decorations as well as another intere...

A Delightful Dive into Meiji Era Yokai News (Ep. 137)

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I’m going to do something a little different, again. I’m going to give you some real yōkai and paranormal news. Not current news, but stori...

The Dreaded Northern Pillow (kitamakura) and Fan Death (Ep. 136)

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is sleeping with your head facing north a practice that'll bring you bad luck and invite death or is it good luck, welcoming a restful night's sleep a...

"The Other Side" A Creepy Japanese Ghost Story (Ep. 135)

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"The Other Side" is a ghost story I wrote using some of the more common Japanese scary tropes. Put on some headphones and turn out the lights and let ...

Creepy Haunted Tunnels in Japan (Ep. 134)

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

My guess is that Japan has more haunted tunnels than anywhere in the world. In this episode I talk about three of the creepiest and most well-known. ...

Okiku: The Haunted Doll (Ep. 133)

30 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Okiku-chan doll is believed to contain the spirit of the little girl who once owned her. This is seen by her constantly, slow growing hair.  Unc...

Myth Tales Vol. 1: Origin that Ends with Dragons (Ep. 132)

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Myth Tales is an immersive retelling of Japan's creation myth. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and...

Summer Festival Part 2: Games and Dancing (Ep. 131)

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of Summer Festival in Japan is about unique games and dancing. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podc...

Summer Festival: Outfits and the Eats (Ep. 130)

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Come experience a small summer festival (Natsu Matsuri) with me. This is Part One: Outfits and Eats! Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her oth...

"Concerning Tea"... a reading (Ep. 129)

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the history of tea and the tea ceremony in Japan, its origins in Buddhist rituals, and its later development into an art form. Listen to s...

Raijū: The Thunder Beast (Ep. 128)

16 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The raijū or thunder beast is smallish, very weird-looking creature that darts around during thunderstorms and wreaks havoc on the community. Here's ...

Story Time: Yuki Onna (by Lafcadio Hearn) (Ep. 127)

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I read Lafcadio Hearn's classic tale, "Yuki Onna" or "The Snow Woman."  Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot P...

Dōsojin: Cuddly and Carnal Road Side Statues (Ep. 126)

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dōsojin are "road ancestor deities" from ancient times. They're different than ojizo or rakan statues. So what are they? What do they do? And which p...

Kitsune no Koban: Fox Money (Ep. 125)

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about Thersa Matsuura tells us about the fox’s coins, a children’s game based on finding seeds that look like gold coins. Uncanny Japan is ...

Story Time: Rokurokubi by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 124)

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I read Lafcadio Hearn's "Rokurokubi," the quintessential story about this creepy Japanese beastie. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Mat...

Black-Toothed Yōkai (Ep. 123)

30 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A couple black-toothed yōkai and where to find them.  Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The So...

Ohaguro: The Ultimate Beauty Hack of Ancient Japan (Ep. 122)

16 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the history of ohaguro, a traditional practice in Japan where people blacken their teeth. Dating back to the Yayoi era, Ohaguro was first pra...

Doom and Bloom: Cherry Blossom Folk Beliefs (Ep. 121)

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bloom and Gloom or Cherry Blossom Folk Beliefs or Sakura: The Wonderful and the Worrisome Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows ar...

Akaname: The Thoroughly Gross Scum Licker (Ep. 120)

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're going to talk about a yokai I've always be quite fond of, a little fella called Akaname or the Scum Licker! Uncanny Japan is author Thers...

The Legend of Shippeitaro (Ep. 119)

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shippei Taro is both a folktale and a nanafushigi (strange occurance). I'll tell you all about this local legend as well as read you my translation of...

How to find and identify your own Yokai (Ep. 118)

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

 Explore the parallel world or ikai, and how it is inhabited not just by ghosts or spirits but also by yokai. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuur...

Ushi Oni: The Bloodthirsty Cow Demon (Ep. 117)

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Ushi Oni is a Japanese legend of an ox-headed demon/ogre. It has different appearances but is often depicted as a giant spider with ox head, soft ...

Shichifukujin: Your Personal Lucky God (Ep. 116)

15 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Which of the Seven Lucky Gods is your patron deity and what does it mean? Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot ...

Six New Year's No-Nos (Ep. 115)

30 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In old Japan there were six rules, six things you weren't allowed to do on the first three days of the New Year. How do you score on the Six No Nos Li...

Temple Statues: Why All the Red Bibs? (Ep. 114)

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While strolling through the grounds of a Japanese temple or shrine you have no doubt seen the endearing sight of a statues decked out in red bibs. But...

Karasu: Japanese Crows, Myths and Superstitions (Ep. 113)

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The myth and superstition around Japanese crows/karasu is long and fascinating, sometimes quite weird. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her o...

Goshuin: Temple or Shrine Stamps (Ep. 112)

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Goshuin are special stamps you can get when you visit a shrine or temple. In this episode I'll tell you what exactly they are, how to get them, and th...

Creepy Story Time: Hashihime / The Bridge Maiden (Ep. 111)

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

My version of a creepy Japanese legend called Uji no Hashi Hime/The Maiden of the Bridge. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows ar...

Ōkami: Japanese Wolf Part 2 Legends and Lore (Ep. 110)

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In part 2 of the ōkami, the Japanese wolf, I talk more about the legends and lore behind the beautiful beast. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuur...

Ōkami: Japanese Wolf Part 1 (Ep. 109)

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kitsune are everywhere, games, manga, anime, artwork, guarding shrines, possessing people. But what do you know about Japanese wolves? Maybe not so mu...

Hunting for a Tsuchinoko (Ep. 108)

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The tsuchinoko is a mysterious, mythical creature that can be seen and heard all over Japan since ancient times, but not one has ever been captured. ...

Your Own Personal Buddha (Ep. 107)

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who is your own patron Buddhist deity? Listen and find out! Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and Th...

The Unconnected Dead: Muenbotoke (Ep. 106)

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Graves with no one to care for them are called muenbotoke. Learn about a temple that gathers all those ashes and bones and makes Buddhist statues out ...

The Sickle Weasel: Kamaitachi (Ep. 105)

31 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What do you know about the yōkai, the sickle weasel or kamaitachi? Imagine an adorable little weasel sporting obnoxiously long blades on its paws. It...

Another Chilling Children’s Song – Tōryanse (Ep. 104)

17 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you remember when I talked about Kagome Kagome back in episode 53? A Japanese children's song that had curiously unnerving lyrics about a bird in ...

Final Listeners' True Spooky Tales - Weeping, Drowning, and Big Wall Blocking (Ep. 103)

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For the last Listeners' True Spooky Tales we're going outside again. Weeping women, grabbing hands, and great big walls that block your path. Uncanny...

Listeners' True Spooky Stories: Forest Phantoms and the Black-Nosed Man (Ep. 102)

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to some spooky real life stories that happened in the great outdoors. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Rob...

Listeners' Absolutely True Japanese Ghost Stories Part 2 (Ep. 101)

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

More listeners' true Japanese ghost stories as well as one of my most terrifying experiences. This is part two of a three part series. Uncanny Japan ...

Listeners' Absolutely True Ghost Stories: Haunted Houses (Ep. 100)

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To commemorate our 100th episode, we're sharing listeners' true ghost stories they've experienced while visiting or living in Japan. Uncanny Japan is...

The Cat Grave, The Rat Grave: Nekozuka, Nezumizuka (Ep. 99)

30 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'll talk about a local legend: Nekozuka and Nezumizuka, the Cat's Grave and the Rat's Grave. It's not only a nanafushigi (one of the Seven Stra...

Toilet Gods: Yes! There are More Than One! (Ep. 98)

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Let me tell you all about the gods that are lurking in your loo. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast a...

Supernatural Cats: Nekomata (Ep. 97)

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The nekomata is a mysterious feline with two tails and a penchant for dancing. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny R...

The Killing Stone: Sessho Seki (Ep. 96)

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It was all over the news: Japan's Infamous Killing Stone that was housing a chaotic, disaster inducing nine-tailed fox spirit, broke in half on March ...

The Human-Faced Tumor: Jinmensou (Ep.95)

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I'm going to tell you about an affliction that involved a strange growth on some part of your body that had the face of a human and...

Introducing the Uncanny Robot Podcast

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a bonus for Uncanny Japan listeners, we would like to share a preview of our brand-new show, "Uncanny Robot Podcast." Yes, more Uncanny goodness! ...

Story Time: Tango no Hitobashira / The Human Pillar of Tango (Ep. 94)

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Human Pillar of Tango. This is a retelling of an old folktale that I've never seen translated into English. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuu...

The Ferocious Oni (Ep. 93)

30 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Japanese oni are a very deep and varied subject. Learn about these mountain-dwelling ogres and what they do. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura....

Chindon-ya: Eccentric Street Musicians (Ep. 92)

15 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who are these eccentric street musicians dressed in bright kimono playing drums, bells, clarinet, and saxophone marching down your street? What do the...

Good Luck Superstitions in Japan (Ep. 91)

30 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a rough couple of years, so today let's talk about some Japanese good luck superstitions. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her othe...

Mayoiga: The Mysterious House You Find When You’re Lost (Ep. 90)

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A mayoiga is a house that magically appears when you're lost in the forest or mountains. If you venture in, what will you find? What should you do? U...

Sakuragaike: A Tortured Snake-Dragon Loses it Scales, Pt 2 (Ep. 89)

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'll tell you part 2 of the Sakuragaike Legend (and nanafushigi!) What was waiting at the bottom of the lake? Why was the snake-dragon suffering...