The 7 Best Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language Podcast Episodes
1) Toshikoshi Soba: Breaking Off the Pain of 2020 with Noodles (Ep. 66)
Toshikoshi soba is the Japanese tradition of eating soba noodles on New Year's Eve. It's a custom that has continued since the 1700s. There are quite a few reasons why. Some have to do with long life,...Show More
2) Baku: The Eater of Dreams (Ep. 65)
The baku (獏) is a Japanese mythical creature that, when invited, slips into your room at night to gobble up your nightmares. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Unca...Show More
3) Ohaguro: The Ultimate Beauty Hack of Ancient Japan (Ep. 122)
Discover the history of ohaguro, a traditional practice in Japan where people blacken their teeth. Dating back to the Yayoi era, Ohaguro was first practiced only by the aristocracy but eventually spre...Show More
4) Listeners' Absolutely True Japanese Ghost Stories Part 2 (Ep. 101)
More listeners' true Japanese ghost stories as well as one of my most terrifying experiences. This is part two of a three part series. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Unca...Show More
5) Listeners' Absolutely True Ghost Stories: Haunted Houses (Ep. 100)
To commemorate our 100th episode, we're sharing listeners' true ghost stories they've experienced while visiting or living in Japan. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncann...Show More
6) Introducing the Uncanny Robot Podcast
As a bonus for Uncanny Japan listeners, we would like to share a preview of our brand-new show, "Uncanny Robot Podcast." Yes, more Uncanny goodness! Wonderfully wild AI-created stories read by humans ...Show More
7) Mayoiga: The Mysterious House You Find When You’re Lost (Ep. 90)
A mayoiga is a house that magically appears when you're lost in the forest or mountains. If you venture in, what will you find? What should you do? Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other s...Show More
8) 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...Show More
9) 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 h...Show More
10) Your Guide to the Afterlife in Japan
So, you’ve died in Japan. Let me help you navigate the underworld and if we can, avoid the nastiest hells. Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Yo...Show More