Supernatural Japan

How did people in Japan protect themselves from evil spirits, bad luck, and natural disasters? In this episode of Supernatural Japan, host Kevin O’Shea explores Japanese folklore and protective traditions, from sardine heads hung at doorways and purification with salt to Shōki rooftop guardians, paper figures that carry away misfortune, and earthquake talismans depicting the giant catfish Namazu. Discover the epidemic-fighting origins of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri and how folk beliefs and religious rituals helped people seek safety in an unpredictable world. Website: supernaturaljapan.com (Sign up for our FREE newsletter) Instagram: @supernaturaljapan BECOME a Ghost by joining us on  @patreon  Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A beautiful stranger. A dark mountain road. A hunger for human flesh. In this episode of Supernatural Japan, host Kevin O’Shea explores Nikusui, the flesh-sucking yōkai of Japan’s Kii Peninsula. Discover the regional folklore recorded by Minakata Kumagusu, the chilling tales of a woman who approaches travelers at night, and an original horror story inspired by her legend. Journey into Japanese folklore, mountain spirits, and supernatural horror—and find out why you should never give her your lantern. Website: supernaturaljapan.com (Sign up for our FREE newsletter) Instagram: @supernaturaljapan BECOME a Ghost by joining us on  @patreon  Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the dark secrets of Nagoya Castle, one of Japan's most iconic historical landmarks, in this Halloween-themed episode of the Supernatural Japan podcast! Join host Kevin O'Shea as we uncover forgotten Japanese ghost stories, mysterious yokai, vengeful fox spirits, and eerie supernatural legends hidden within the castle's 400-year history. Drawing on the fascinating research of Professor Junko Hayashi of Nanzan University, we explore historical accounts of a mysterious chest that must never be moved, a tengu lurking in a pine tree, and strange tales of kitsune seeking revenge against samurai. We'll also investigate modern rumors of ghostly apparitions wandering the castle grounds. From traditional Japanese folklore to haunted castles and unexplained mysteries, this spooky journey into Nagoya Castle's supernatural past is perfect for fans of Japanese history, paranormal encounters, and chilling Halloween ghost stories. Are the spirits of Nagoya Castle still watching over its ancient walls? Website: supernaturaljapan.com (Sign up for our FREE newsletter) Instagram: @supernaturaljapan BECOME a Ghost by joining us on  @patreon  Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Red paper or blue paper? In this spooky-season episode of Supernatural Japan, host Kevin O’Shea explores Aka Manto, the Red Cloak—a chilling Japanese urban legend about a mysterious spirit haunting school bathrooms and public toilets. Discover the deadly choices at the heart of this ghost story, the unsettling variations in how to escape, and its roots in Japanese schoolyard folklore. Perfect for Halloween listening, this mini-episode explores how a simple question can turn an ordinary bathroom visit into a nightmare. Website: supernaturaljapan.com (Sign up for our FREE newsletter) Instagram: @supernaturaljapan BECOME a Ghost by joining us on  @patreon  Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could a mysterious big cat be hiding in Japan’s subtropical forests? In this Supernatural Japan mini-episode, host Kevin O’Shea explores Yamapikaryā, the mystery cat of Iriomote Island in Okinawa. Discover the real, endangered Iriomote cat and the unconfirmed accounts of a larger, long-tailed feline sharing its jungle home. Explore the island’s geography, local animal names, tourism mascots, and conservation challenges, alongside comparisons with Britain’s Beast of Bodmin Moor, the Beast of Exmoor, and Tasmania’s thylacine. Join Kevin for a journey through Japanese cryptid legends, rare wildlife, and the intriguing boundary between documented animals and unexplained sightings. Website: supernaturaljapan.com (Sign up for our FREE newsletter) Instagram: @supernaturaljapan BECOME a Ghost by joining us on  @patreon  Connect with Supernatural Japan: Instagram: @supernaturaljapan Facebook: @SupernaturalJapan BlueSky: @MadForMaple X: @MadForMaple YouTube: @BusanKevin Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices