Supernatural Japan

Send a text Explore the chilling ghost stories of Kobe City Hall in this episode of Supernatural Japan. Discover how the Great Hanshin–Awaji Earthquake shaped Kobe, Japan’s tragic past, and learn why staff, security guards, and visitors continue to report eerie sightings, phantom footsteps, and unexplained shadows within the building. Blending local history with modern paranormal accounts, this ep...

Send a text Step into one of Japan’s most mysterious and sacred places in this episode of Supernatural Japan. We explore Izumo Taisha, the ancient grand shrine of Shimane Prefecture—home of powerful legends, ghost stories, and the annual Kamiarizuki, when every god in Japan gathers in Izumo. Discover the shrine’s deep ties to Shinto mythology, its towering ancient architecture, and the supernatura...

Send a text Journey into the dark legends of Kamome Manor (かもめ荘) in this chilling episode of Supernatural Japan. Explore the abandoned seaside residence said to be cursed, haunted by restless spirits, mysterious disappearances, and eerie sightings that locals refuse to talk about. Discover the history, rumors, and supernatural folklore surrounding these ruined halls, and learn why Kamome Manor...

Send a text Explore the eerie world of Tsukumogami in this episode of Supernatural Japan as we uncover the legends of the Chōchin-obake, the haunted paper lantern, and the mischievous Bakezōri, the runaway straw sandal. Learn the folklore, origins, and cultural significance of these everyday objects-turned-yōkai, and discover how they appear in Japanese ghost stories, anime, manga, and modern pop...

Send a text Step into the eerie world of Japan’s most famous school ghost — Hanako-san, The Terrifying Bathroom Ghost. In this chilling episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore the origins of this haunting urban legend, from post-war ghost stories to modern sightings in school bathrooms across the country. Discover why Hanako-san has terrified generations of students and how she became a cultural...

Send a text In this special episode of Supernatural Japan, we journey to South Korea to explore real ghost stories and Korean folklore. Host Kevin O’Shea talks with writer and folklorist Shawn Morrissey, author of Supernatural Encounters in South Korea and guide for the Dark Side of Seoul walking tours. Shawn shares chilling paranormal encounters and haunted legends gathered from Koreans and expat...

Send a text A woman boards a late-night train—and vanishes into another world. In this eerie episode, Supernatural Japan explores the chilling legend of Kisaragi Station, Japan’s most famous internet ghost story. Was it a hoax, a glitch in reality, or something supernatural? Step aboard and decide for yourself. Follow the podcast:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supernaturaljapan Bluesky: ht...

Send a text In this chilling episode of Supernatural Japan, we journey to Mount Unzen in Nagasaki Prefecture—one of Japan’s most haunted and tragic places. From volcanic eruptions and the Christian martyrdoms of the Edo era to modern ghost sightings near the mountain’s hot springs, Mount Unzen’s dark past lingers in the mist. Discover how history, faith, and folklore intertwine to create one of Ja...

Send a text In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore one of Japan’s most unsettling urban legends—the Jinmenken, or Human-Faced Dog. From eerie Edo-period sightings to modern reports of ghostly, talking dogs speeding down Tokyo highways, the Jinmenken continues to blur the line between folklore and fact. Discover its mysterious origins, cultural symbolism, and how this bizarre creature st...

Send a text In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore the eerie legends and lingering spirits of Tokyo’s historic Yanaka Cemetery. Once home to samurai graves, artists, and Meiji-era elites, Yanaka is said to harbor restless ghosts and mysterious energies that have haunted locals for generations. Discover how Japan’s deep respect for the dead intertwines with tales of hauntings, temple gua...

Send a text In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore the eerie ruins of the Kaizuka Children’s Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Osaka — one of Japan’s most mysterious abandoned hospitals. Once a medical facility for sick children, it now stands as a chilling haikyo (urban ruin) shrouded in ghost stories and local legends. Discover the tragic history of Japan’s tuberculosis era, the isolation of...

Send a text In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we follow the eerie footsteps of the Okuri-inu, the “sending-off dog” said to stalk travelers on Japan’s lonely mountain paths. Is it a protector—or a predator? Discover the origins of this wolf-like yokai, its ties to Shinto mountain worship, and the ancient rituals used to stay safe when something unseen walks behind you. Follow the podcast:  In...

Send a text A centuries-old mermaid mummy rests in Enjuin Temple, Okayama—said to bring luck, warning, or eternal life. In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we dive into the strange tale of this relic, the legend of Yao Bikuni, and Japan’s long tradition of yokai hoaxes and supernatural curiosities from the Edo era. Discover the truth behind one of Japan’s most haunting maritime mysteries. Follo...

Send a text Discover how Japan celebrates Halloween in Supernatural Japan: Halloween in Japan – Cosplay, Crowds, and Caution. From massive Shibuya street parties to family-friendly parades and spooky themed cafés, this episode explores how Japan blends Western traditions with unique local culture. We’ll also look at recent restrictions in Tokyo, the impact of the Itaewon tragedy in Korea, and what...

Send a text The Setagaya Family Murders remain one of Japan’s most shocking unsolved crimes. In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we uncover the brutal 2000 slaying of the Miyazawa family in Tokyo, the chilling evidence left behind, and the eerie supernatural theories that surround the case. A haunting blend of true crime, Japanese history, and the paranormal. Follow the podcast:  Instagram: htt...

Send a text In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we journey to the sacred mountaintop of Koyasan in Wakayama and explore Okunoin Cemetery, Japan’s largest and most haunted graveyard. Discover ghostly legends, eerie encounters, and the deep spiritual history of this mysterious site, where thousands of souls rest and folklore comes alive. Follow the podcast:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s...

Send a text Discover the dark mystery of the 1948 Teigin Incident—Japan’s most infamous mass poisoning—and the ghost of Sadamichi Hirasawa, the man many believe was wrongfully convicted. Was he a killer, or a victim who still haunts Japan’s history? Explore the crime, the legend, and the supernatural in this chilling episode of Supernatural Japan. Follow the podcast:  Instagram: https://www.instag...

Send a text In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we uncover the chilling ghost stories of U.S. military bases in Okinawa. From the bloodied Marine who haunts Camp Hansen’s Gate 3 to the abandoned and infamous Kadena Air Base Building 2283, these legends reveal how war, tragedy, and history shaped the island’s supernatural side. Discover why Okinawa is one of Japan’s most haunted places. Follow t...

Send a text In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore the eerie world of Onibi (鬼火) — mysterious ghostly flames said to appear in Japan’s forests, mountains, and graveyards. Are they wandering spirits, trickster yokai, or natural phenomena mistaken for the supernatural? Join us as we uncover the folklore, cultural meaning, and chilling legends behind these strange blue fires that continu...

Send a text In this episode of Supernatural Japan, host Kevin O’Shea sits down with Japan-based American strongman David Dunlap to explore the fascinating history of chikara ishi (力石) — Japan’s legendary strength stones. Once central to village life, festivals, and rites of passage, these massive lifting stones are an almost forgotten tradition of Japanese strength culture. David shares how he a...

Send a text In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore the mystical world of Japan’s most auspicious animals: the turtle (kame) and the carp (koi). Discover how these creatures symbolize longevity, resilience, and good fortune in Japanese culture, from ancient myths and folktales to their presence in modern shrines, gardens, and celebrations. We dive into legends of divine turtles, the koi’...

Send a text Discover the chilling mystery of Sugisawa Village, one of Japan’s most infamous urban legends, in this episode of Supernatural Japan. We explore the eerie origins of this “vanished village” in Aomori Prefecture, its deep ties to Tōhoku ghost traditions, and the unsettling rumors of mass murder and government cover-ups. Hear how this haunting tale endures through horror films, games, an...

Send a text Discover the chilling legend of the Yamauba of Hokkaido’s Daisetsuzan Mountains in this episode of Supernatural Japan. We explore the origins of this fearsome mountain witch (also known as Yamamba), her role in Japanese folklore, and the terrifying stories told by travelers and locals alike. From ancient kaidan to modern sightings, learn why the Yamauba continues to haunt Japan’s north...

Send a text In this chilling episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore the mysterious disappearance of French tourist Tiphaine Véron, who vanished in 2018 while visiting the historic city of Nikkō. Known for its UNESCO World Heritage shrines, temples, and scenic beauty, Nikkō attracts travelers from around the world—yet Tiphaine’s case remains one of Japan’s most haunting unsolved mysteries. We ex...

Send a text This week on Supernatural Japan, host Kevin O’Shea meets returning guest and Japan-based writer Phillip Jackson in Osaka’s beautiful Utsubo Park for a rare in-person recording. Phillip takes us deep into the eerie side of Dark Kyoto—far beyond the usual temples and tourist spots—to uncover chilling ghost stories, tragic historical events, and unsettling tales that most visitors never h...