Uncanny Japan
Society & Culture
About
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 crickets, rice field frogs) all recorded right here in Japan. Thersa Matsuura is a writer, folklorist, and graduate of the Clarion West workshop. Drawing on her over thirty-five years of living in Japan, she is the author of The Book of Japanese Folklore . Her horror short story collection ( The Carp-Faced Boy and Other Tales ) was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. Her forthcoming works include the Yokai Oracle Deck (Fall, 2025) and Legends of Japanese Mythology (Eyes Wide Editions, 2026). Spe
Episodes
- Everyone Has a Throat Buddha / What is it and Why? -- Nodohotoke & Story Time: "The Buddha Bone" (Ep. 189)
Have you ever heard of the nodo-hotoke , or “throat Buddha”? In everyday Japanese, it usually refers to the Adam’s apple. But after death, especially in the context of cremation, the nodo-hotoke becomes something else entirely, the actual…
- Ofuda & Omamori: Lucky Talismans & Charms
After exploring animal spirit possession last episode, Thersa turns to the Japanese ways of staying safe, getting a little lucky, and maybe even finding love through ofuda and omamori , talismans and charms filled with divine power and eve…
- Tsukimono: Possessed by an Animal (Ep. 187)
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,…
- Takiyasha Hime & the Gashadokuro: Japan's Frog-Riding Witch & Giant Skeleton (Ep. 186)
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…
- Why the Year of the Fire Horse is Dreaded in Japan and Cursed Kimonos (Ep. 185)
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 be…
- Osechi: Japanese New Year Food Traditions (Ep. 184)
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 p…
- Japanese Moon Lore: Selfless Rabbits, Murdered Goddesses, and Tsukimi (Ep. 183)
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 gods to honor an act of pure sacrifice, a Buddhist tale that traveled from India through Chin…
- Hōichi the Earless: A Lafcadio Hearn Reading (Ep. 182)
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 you one of Lafcadio Hearn's most famous Japanese ghost stories: "Mimi-nashi Hōichi" or "The…
- What Empty Spaces Need (Audio Drama) (Ep. 181)
🎃 HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 🎃 This year's Halloween episode is a full-length audio drama based on the urban legend of Sukima-onna—the woman who watches from the gaps. An American English teacher in Japan loses everything: his job, his apartment,…
- Ame-onna - Rain Woman's Original Ghost Story (Ep. 180)
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 rainy nights. There's lore about her, rumors, theories... but she doesn't have her own ghos…
- Japan's Most Famous Ghost: My Retelling of Oiwa and the Yotsuya Kaidan (Ep. 179)
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 are many versions of the tragic tale of Japan's most famous ghost, Oiwa-san. But today, let…
- Sanshi: The Three Body-Parasite Problem (Ep. 178)
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 the main road, and then every so often, a knee-high stone tower or stele. These are called…
- A Handful of Deadly Beach Beauties (Ep. 177)
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 Japan's 14,125 islands that make rip currents seem harmless? In this episode, I share what…
- Introducing Uncanny Japan
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 do…
- Japanese Afterlife Guide: Navigate Buddhist Hell & Death (Ep. 176)
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 happens after death? I found these traditional afterlife concepts fascinating - there's this who…
- Taira no Masakado: The First Samurai's Flying Head & Tokyo's Cursed Shrine (Ep. 175)
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? Well, that's exactly what I want to talk to you about today. Today I'm going to tell you…
- Saiō ga Uma: The Old Man's Horse & Finding Peace with Uncertainty (Ep. 174)
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 thought I'd share what I discovered. "Saiō ga Uma" means "the old man's horse" - it's a 2…
- Susanoo: Japan's Storm God - Chaos to Redemption (Ep. 173)
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 share what I discovered about Susanoo, the storm deity whose story completely surprised me.…
- Tsuyu: Japan's Dreaded Fifth Season - Rain, Mold, and Yokai Spirits (Ep. 172)
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 forgets tsuyu, the rainy season, and all that entails. In this episode, I explore Japan's most…
- Tōdaiki: The Candlestick Demon & Tang Dynasty Diplomatic Horror (Ep. 171)
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 by stories about people who leave home and never come back. But what I'm about to tell yo…
- Lafcadio Hearn's "Readings from a Dream Book": Mystical Meditations on Consciousness (Ep. 170)
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 soothing Pacific Ocean waves recorded on the Japanese coast, I read Lafcadio Hearn's comp…
- Ryūjin: Harnessing the Power of Japan's Undersea Dragon God (Ep. 169)
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, the dragon god. And while we're there, let's learn more about all the myth and lore surr…
- Mt. Fuji: A Fire Resistant Princess and a Sword Licking Mystic (Ep. 168)
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 about two remarkable figures who shaped its mystical identity. First, meet Konohanasakuya-hi…
- Kanto vs Kansai: How Japanese Regional Food Differs (Ep. 167)
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 years, and that is food. I absolutely love that wherever you go in Japan, there are local sp…
- The Golden Pavilion Has Weird Ghosts (Ep. 166)
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 name isn't even what most people call it – there's an interesting story behind that. It…
- Walking in Old Japan: The Historical Gokaidō Routes (Ep. 165)
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 routes, or the five historical roads of Japan. All five started at the exact same point on th…
- Fudō Myō: The Unshakable Buddhist Deity and Sacred Fire Ceremonies (Ep. 164)
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 that will burn away all your worldly desires, ignorance, and purify you. Meet Fudō Myō, th…
- Bodhidharma and Daruma Dolls: Zen Buddhism Origins (Ep. 163)
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 concentration, a lucky toy that heals disease and helps you achieve your dreams, and will end delight…
- The Salt God and the Magic of Salt (Ep. 162)
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 sprinkle on your shoulders before going home. Tiny salt pyramids guard shop entrances across Japa…
- Turbo Granny: Japanese Urban Legend of the Highway Phantom (Ep. 161)
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 woman with long white hair running alongside your car, keeping perfect pace. This is Tābō Ba…
- Japanese Kanji Animal Names: Sea Pigs, Dirt Dragons & Poetic Language (Ep. 160)
In Japanese, some animals have names so creative they sound like fantasy creatures. Dirt dragons. Sea pigs. House protectors. Ocean moons. Today I'm testing whether I can make you fall in love with kanji through a quiz about these poetic a…
- Go-Away Monkey: Original Japanese Horror Story by Thersa Matsuura (Ep. 159)
A disease-ravaged town. A stranger with a captive monkey. One woman who refuses to become a monster. When traveling performer Hanshiro arrives promising to grant wishes through his trained monkey Fukumimi, desperate townspeople see hope fo…
- Botan Dōrō: Lafcadio Hearn's Japanese Ghost Love Story (Ep. 158)
A young samurai loses a shuttlecock over a garden fence and finds something far more dangerous: a beautiful woman who leads him into her home, serves him wine, and dances for him. When he discovers she died months ago, he's already under h…
- Japan's Three Great Ghost Stories: Okiku, Oiwa, and Otsuyu (Ep. 157)
Japan's three great ghost stories feature the onryō (vengeful ghosts) of Okiku, Oiwa, and Otsuyu. These tales have captivated audiences for centuries through ukiyo-e woodblock prints, kabuki theater, and modern horror films like The Ring a…
- Japanese Supernatural Trees: Bloodthirsty Kodama & Cursed Jubokko (Ep. 156)
Walk through a Japanese forest alone and feel that ancient presence watching you. Maybe it's kodama, the protective tree spirits that appear as ghostly lights. Or perhaps it's something more dangerous. In this episode, Terrie explores Japa…
- Japanese Caterpillar Cult: The Tokoyo no Kami Uprising of 644 CE (Ep. 155)
In 644 CE, a man named Ōfube-no-Ō starts a new religion in Shizuoka Prefecture. His claim? A caterpillar living in mandarin orange trees is the god of eternal life. Worship it properly, and you'll gain riches and youth. The movement spread…
- Moshi Moshi! You're About to Meet Some Demons! (Ep. 154)
Two fascinating phrases in Japanese that have very creepy origins. What are you really doing when you answer the phone "moshi moshi" anyway? [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I m…
- The Tragic (or not?) Tale of Anchin and Kiyohime (Ep. 153)
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 classic. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and mak…
- Hokkaido Yōkai and Mythical Creatures (Ep. 152)
The northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido, also has its own brand of yōkai and mythical creatures. Here I talk about seven of them. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may recei…
- Chopsticks: Godly Tools or Death Bringers? ( Ep. 151)
Discover the intricacies of Japanese chopstick etiquette and lore. Learn about godly chopsticks, taboos that can bring death, and the concept of 'wa' (harmony) in Japanese culture. Avoid social faux pas and deepen your understanding of thi…
- The Dangerous Truth about the Jorō Spider (Ep. 150)
The joro spider, a colorful arachnid from Japan, is harmless but tied to folklore about shape-shifting brides who fatally ensnare lovers at waterfalls. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a pu…
- Beto Beto-san Vs Teke Teke: Things That Stalk You at Night (Ep. 149)
Listeners who are sensitive to these topics should be aware that the episode contains potentially disturbing content: TRIGGER WARNINGS: Blood & gore depiction, Body horror, Childhood Trauma, Death from exposure, Death from falling, Death o…
- Bug News: Body Parasites or Ghosts (Mushi no Shirase)? (Ep. 148)
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 to tell you something? [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on…
- Falling Trees: Tengu or Furusoma (Creepy Dead Guy)?(Ep. 147)
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 else? [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make…
- Story Time: The Mirror Maiden by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 146)
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 make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is…
- Ryomen Sukuna: Awesome Saint or Japan-Destroying Demon? (Ep. 145)
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 who tried to destroy Japan? [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you cl…
- Teru Teru Bōzu: Cute, Magical, Unsettling Origins (Ep. 144)
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 description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may re…
- Abe no Seimei & His Mysterious Place Near Me (Ep. 143)
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 another nanafushigi (seven mysterious things). [This description contains Amazon affiliate link…
- Nami-Kozō: The Creepy Little Wave Boy (Ep. 142)
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 historical monks. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link a…
- The All-powerful Five Elements and You (Ep. 141)
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 arts, acupuncture, herbalism, esoteric Buddhism, and even in cemeteries. [This descriptio…