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Supernatural Japan

Supernatural Japan
Japanese Folklore
Japan
Tokyo
Urban Legends
Folklore
Edo Period
Osaka
Yokai
Japanese Culture
Ghost Stories
Yakuza
Monster With 21 Faces
Jinmenken
Hibagon
Tsukumogami
Kyoto
Glico Food Company
Inunaki Village
Kintaro
Obon

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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes136Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelSociety & CultureHistory

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Artwork for Supernatural Japan

Latest Episodes

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 ... more

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 Can... more

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 dif... more

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 lates... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Kyle Brink
Canadian author and researcher focused on Hibagon
Author of Hibagon, Japanese Bigfoot
Episode: Hibagon (ヒバゴン) - Japan’s Bigfoot
Kevin Tarpey
American pilgrim walking the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage
Self-described pilgrim in Japan
Episode: The 88 Temples Pilgrimage (Encore Episode)
Riki Ohkanda
Returning guest who previously helped explore Tokyo hauntings; also known as Paprika Girl
Paprika Girl (Instagram/X)
Episode: The Ghosts of Golden Gai
Phillip Jackson
Kyoto-based writer and travel guide
Paranormal Kyoto, Hidden Paths Kyoto
Episode: More Haunted Tales from Kyoto
Peter Laws
British author, podcaster, YouTuber, and reverend
Independent author and creator
Episode: Into the Fog…in Japan
Brandon Schexnayder
Creator and host of Southern Gothic
Southern Gothic
Episode: The Ghosts of Southern Gothic
Shawn Morrissey
Heritage interpreter, travel guide, and writer
Dark Side of Seoul
Episode: Supernatural Encounters in South Korea
Philip Jackson
Writer of Paranormal Kansai and Paranormal Japan, friend of the show, and travel guide.
Hidden Paths Kyoto
Episode: The Okuri-inu: The Dark Guardian of Mountains (Japan's Dogman)
David Dunlap
Japan-based strongman and athlete promoting strongman events.
Episode: Chikara Ishi (力石) - Japanese Power Stones

Host

Kevin O'Shea
Host of Supernatural Japan

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 100 ratings
  • Cozy, Concise, and Insightful podcast easily fit into one’s schedule

    The podcast has a good variety of topics spanning centuries of events and folk tales, delivered in a clear voice at a comfortable pace — no need to fiddle with the speed bar 0.75 ~ 1.1 (⌒-⌒; )

    The content can be macabre and unsettling at times, but the host handles the subject matter with empathy and respect.

    He also shares his interesting travel experiences in lesser known (less crowded) ( ̄O ̄;) cultural sites and supernatural places (^_^)

    I’m especially moved by the episodes on natural dis... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Piyopeppy
    Canadaa month ago
  • Loving it

    Recently discovered the supernatural Japan podcast. Love all the interesting and spooking myths, legends and history of my favourite country.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LiahST
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Really Good!

    Just stumbled upon this podcast. Absolutely love it 🙌

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Irish Lad 43
    Ireland3 months ago
  • Show is amazing

    Listening to this in Japan on my vacation really hits different. I’m spooked

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Agncnnv
    United States4 months ago
  • Spooky Thumbs Up From Me!

    I absolutely love this podcast and you will too if you’re into spooky Japanese folklore! Episodes are always well researched and really well presented! Thank you Kevin and keep up the great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cowboyhotpot
    United Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise well-researched storytelling and strong host delivery.
Shows deep respect for Japanese history while delivering chilling folklore in an engaging way.
Audience enjoys the travel-culture angle alongside paranormal content.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#131
Finland/History
Apple Podcasts
#140
New Zealand/History
Apple Podcasts
#169
Hong Kong/History
Apple Podcasts
#193
Spain/History
Apple Podcasts
#197
South Korea/History
Apple Podcasts
#199
Philippines/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Gifu Poltergeist
Q: Do you have any stories you'd like to share for listeners during spooky month?
Phillip highlights two favorite ghost stories from Paranormal Japan—the Sendagaya Tunnel and the Gifu Poltergeist—explaining their settings, the timeline of events, and how investigators collected reports, which demonstrates the blend of folklore, historical context, and contemporary media interest in such cases.
The Ghosts of Golden Gai
Q: And so, tell me about Golden Gai, paint us a picture.
Riki explains Golden Gai's history from post-war formation under Yakuza influence to its later gentrification and current tourist-oriented presentation, while highlighting the district's layered stories of sadness, artistry, and hauntings, and she names specific shops, streets, and the role of the third street in haunt lore.
The Ghosts of Southern Gothic
Q: Do you ever have a chance to go and visit some of these locations that you podcast about?
Yes, visiting locations allows for a deeper understanding of the stories and the emotions tied to the places.
The Ghosts of Southern Gothic
Q: Brandon, I was wondering if you could tell the listeners, just a little bit about yourself, and if you could describe Southern Gothic to our listeners?
Southern Gothic explores the history, hauntings, and folklore of the American South, focusing on ghost stories and real historical events.
Supernatural Encounters in South Korea
Q: What is your spooky origin story?
Shawn shares about his father's supernatural experience as a child in Newfoundland, which sparked his interest in folklore and ghost stories.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Supernatural Japan

What is Supernatural Japan about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep dive into Japan's haunted history, mysterious disappearances, and enigmatic folklore. Episodes span self-mummified monks, urban legends, yokai culture, ghost districts in Tokyo, and modern myths tied to trains, real estate, and festivals. The host blends historical context with vivid storytelling, field reporting, and cultural critique, creating a travel-ready, storytelling-heavy guide to Japan's paranormal side. Noteworthy is the consistent mix of historical research, place-based lore, and contemporary social and media reflections, making it appealing to culture buffs, mystery lovers, and travelers seeking eerie, evidence-grounded narratives.

Listeners can expect immersive sensory detail, strong narrative framing around location-sp... more

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How many episodes of Supernatural Japan are there?

Supernatural Japan launched 4 years ago and published 136 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Supernatural Japan?

Recent guests on Supernatural Japan include:

1. Kyle Brink
2. Kevin Tarpey
3. Riki Ohkanda
4. Phillip Jackson
5. Peter Laws
6. Brandon Schexnayder
7. Shawn Morrissey
8. Philip Jackson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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