
Uncanny Japan is a podcast about all the more obscure corners of old Japan, from strange superstitions, cultural curiosities, to creepy creatures. Here you can discover all the lesser known gems that author Thersa Matsuura digs up while doing research for her writing. Every episode is uniquely soothing, brought to life by immersive sound design or relaxing binaural soundscapes (ocean waves, autumn... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 204 | Founded | 10 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureHistory | |||

What happens if you say "monkey" before entering the mountains? Why shouldn't you sing or whistle in the forest? And what on earth is wrong with pointing at a snake?
As I prepare for a long road trip north through Japan, I'm digging into some wonder... more
Once, wolves roamed the mountains of Japan—not simply as predators, but as protectors, messengers of the gods, and sometimes gods themselves.
For this special archive episode, I’ve combined two earlier Uncanny Japan episodes into one extended journe... more
The cicadas are fading, the bell crickets are singing, and autumn is beginning to creep into Japan. There’s an old saying: aki no hi wa tsurube otoshi—“an autumn day falls like a well bucket”—describing how suddenly darkness arrives this time of year... more
This episode is story time. We’re traveling to the remote Oki Islands in the Sea of Japan for an old Japanese tale collected by Richard Gordon Smith in his 1908 book Ancient Tales and Folk-Lore of Japan.
When young Tokoyo sets out to find her banish... more
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Love learning about the folklore, ghost stories, history and culture. Plus her voice is so soothing to listen to, I have one of her books as well and it’s fabulous!
As a Japanese who grew up overseas, this podcast is a great source for me to learn Japanese cultures and customs in a fun way! My favorites are episodes on oshogatsu and obon! Please keep them coming!
Very interesting and relaxing podcast. I like learning more from Japan folktales
I used to live near Lafcadio Hearn’s old home in Kumamoto (author of Kwaidan) and love the darker side of Japanese folklore and history. This podcast is so great to listen to in quiet times and evenings. Wishing the host all the best for navigating her life changes. Stay strong and keep putting your excellent work out there. Maybe the year of the Fire Horse might see the show go weekly.
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Apple Podcasts | #94 |
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A soothing, immersive series that explores obscure corners of Japanese folklore, history, and superstition through long-form storytelling and atmospheric sound design. Episodes blend traditional lore with personal memories, behind-the-scenes notes, and practical cultural context, often weaving in regional rituals, historical figures, and modern-day observations. A standout is the deeply crafted, cinematic narration that helps listeners feel transported to temples, coastlines, and festival floors, making esoteric topics approachable and relaxing for curious adults. The show's thoughtful production, archival research, and occasional author-promotional angles are noteworthy, and its niche focus on lesser-known myths and practices offers a dist... more
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Uncanny Japan launched 10 years ago and published 204 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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