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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

Explore the dark side of Japan with the Supernatural Japan Podcast — where chilling true crime, eerie urban legends, and spine-tingling folklore come together. Each episode dives deep into Japan’s haunted history, mysterious disappearances, yokai encounters, and unsolved cases that blur the line between myth and reality. Perfect for fans of paranormal podcasts, Japanese culture, and true crime. Su... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes132Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryPlaces & TravelSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Supernatural Japan

Latest Episodes

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... more

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 hum... more

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 lande... more

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 b... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

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
David Dunlap
Japan-based strongman and athlete promoting strongman events.
Episode: Chikara Ishi (力石) - Japanese Power Stones
Philip Jackson
Japan-based author, researcher, and guide
Episode: Hiking Haunted Kansai: A Paranormal Adventure
Brian Waters
Japan-based university instructor and expert on the Tokyo sarin gas attack
Episode: The Tokyo Sarin Gas Attack (Cults and Mass Murder in Japan)
Jay Allen
Publisher of Unseen Japan
Unseen Japan
Episode: Mysterious Manga Terrifies Hong Kong Tourists! - with Jay Allen from Unseen Japan

Host

Kevin O'Shea
Host of Supernatural Japan

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 88 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
    Canada18 days 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 Kingdoma month ago
  • Really Good!

    Just stumbled upon this podcast. Absolutely love it 🙌

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Irish Lad 43
    Ireland2 months ago
  • Show is amazing

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Agncnnv
    United States3 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 Kingdom3 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.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Chikara Ishi (力石) - Japanese Power Stones
Q: What is Chikara Ishi and how does it fit into Japanese culture?
David explains that Chikara Ishi are strength stones used in various cultural practices, including demonstrations of manhood and even determining wages for labor.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
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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 132 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. Riki Ohkanda
2. Phillip Jackson
3. Peter Laws
4. Brandon Schexnayder
5. Shawn Morrissey
6. David Dunlap
7. Philip Jackson
8. Brian Waters

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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