Uncanny Japan
SpectreVision RadioUncanny 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 | 190 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureHistory | |||
Listen to this Podcast
Latest Episodes
What is tsukimono? In Japanese culture, it’s the unsettling idea of possession—when a human or animal spirit attaches itself to you and usually does harm.
In this episode of Uncanny Japan, I explore animal possession: foxes, dogs, snakes, and even h... more
A vengeful princess rides a giant toad into battle while a monstrous skeleton tears through castle walls — and these two legends are connected in ways you might not expect.
In this episode, I dig into the story of Takiyasha Hime, daughter of the inf... more
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 action. But in Japan? It's feared. Birth rates actually plummet during fire horse years because of a ... more
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 sacred offering. Each dish carries specific wishes: black beans for health, herring roe for prosperity,... more
Key Facts
Similar Podcasts
People also subscribe to these shows.
Host
Reviews
- Love this podcast. Very soothing voice and GREAT content.
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.
Apple Podcasts5Daveydavedave74
United Kingdoma month ago - Hey it’s kenta
Where are you
Apple Podcasts5Goji 4x4
Canadaa month ago - Hey it’s kenta
The best way to make a podcast is by using the right tool to create the best content. its you!!
Apple Podcasts5Goji 4x4Canada2 months ago - Too bad for the ads
I’ve always loved this show, but the ads ruin it for me :( I’m going back and re-listening to the older episodes. EDIT: Soooo the old videos now have ads too :( I’m sad again
Apple Podcasts2idontusuallywritereveiws
United States3 months ago I am ashamed that I have not reviewed until now, because this is one of my favorite podcasts. The music, the calm voice and of course the stories helped me fall asleep for years, but I have stopped using it like that because I find it too interesting to waste on sleep. At least now I have so much content to enjoy, again. This podcast takes me to a mysterious world that I find myself sharing with my husband who is sometimes annoyed at first, but engrossed by the end of the tale. Thank you
Podcast Addict55 months agoGoreJuice
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #183 |  Norway/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #241 |  Saudi Arabia/Society & Culture |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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 Uncanny Japan
What is Uncanny Japan about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This show explores obscure corners of Japanese history, folklore, and cultural curiosities through immersive sound design and soothing narration. Across episodes, the host weaves personal experience with deep dives into myths, spirits, haunted places, and seasonal traditions, often linking ancient beliefs to modern life. The format emphasizes atmospheric storytelling, historical context, and a calm, contemplative tone that makes folklore approachable for curious listeners who enjoy culturally rich narratives and aural immersion. A standout aspect is the host's dual role as writer and folklorist, which brings both narrative flair and scholarly context, along with frequent references to classical texts and traditional practices.
Listeners of... more
Where can I find podcast stats for Uncanny Japan?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Uncanny Japan. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Uncanny Japan and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does Uncanny Japan get?
Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Uncanny Japan, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.
What are the audience demographics for Uncanny Japan?
Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Uncanny Japan, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.
How many subscribers and views does Uncanny Japan have?
To see how many followers or subscribers Uncanny Japan has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to Uncanny Japan?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Uncanny Japan:
1. Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities
2. Lore
3. History of Japan
4. Myths and Legends
5. Knifepoint Horror
How many episodes of Uncanny Japan are there?
Uncanny Japan launched 9 years ago and published 190 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact Uncanny Japan?
Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.
Where can I see ratings and reviews for Uncanny Japan?
Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Uncanny Japan from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.
View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.
How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Uncanny Japan?
Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Uncanny Japan. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.