Uncanny Japan Podcast By SpectreVision Radio cover art

Uncanny Japan

Uncanny Japan

By: SpectreVision Radio
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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). SpectreVision Radio is a bespoke podcast network at the intersection between the arts and the uncanny, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring the anomalous, the luminous, and the numinous. We’re a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. ⁠spectrevisionradio.com⁠ ⁠linktr.ee/spectrevision⁠Copyright ©2025 Uncanny Productions Art Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Takiyasha Hime & the Gashadokuro: Japan's Frog-Riding Witch & Giant Skeleton (Ep. 186)

    Takiyasha Hime & the Gashadokuro: Japan's Frog-Riding Witch & Giant Skeleton (Ep. 186)
    Mar 17 2026
    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 infamous Taira no Masakado, and the terrifying Gashadokuro. How did a princess become a sorceress? What kind of magic involves frogs? And is that famous skeleton in Kuniyoshi's print really what everyone thinks it is? I even found the actual spell she used to summon the skeleton. Should I read it aloud? [Please Note: Some of the links are affiliate links (both Amazon and other). This means that at no cost to you, if you use and purchase through them I receive a small compensation. This is paid by the retailer. It also helps support me and my artistic endeavors. Thank you.] Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon YouTube Facebook Instagram Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution) Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Credits Music by Julyan Ray Matsuura About SpectreVision Radio SpectreVision Radio is a bespoke podcast network at the intersection between the arts and the uncanny, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.com linktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    22 mins
  • Why the Year of the Fire Horse is Dreaded in Japan and Cursed Kimonos (Ep. 185)

    Why the Year of the Fire Horse is Dreaded in Japan and Cursed Kimonos (Ep. 185)
    Feb 16 2026
    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 superstition that dates back to Edo-era Japan. What does a cursed kimono that burned down 70% of a city have to do with this? And why was a young girl named Oshichi burned at the stake in 1666? Come with me as I explore the tragic story behind this uniquely Japanese superstition, the Great Fire of Meireki that killed over 100,000 people, and what the saying "if it burns down, we'll build again" means for embracing change during difficult times. [Please Note: Some of the links are affiliate links (both Amazon and other). This means that at no cost to you, if you use and purchase through them I receive a small compensation. This is paid by the retailer. It also helps support me and my artistic endeavors. Thank you.] Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon YouTube Facebook Instagram Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution) Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Credits Music by Julyan Ray Matsuura About SpectreVision Radio SpectreVision Radio is a bespoke podcast network at the intersection between the arts and the uncanny, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.com linktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    16 mins
  • Osechi: Japanese New Year Food Traditions (Ep. 184)

    Osechi: Japanese New Year Food Traditions (Ep. 184)
    Dec 9 2025
    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, lotus root for clear vision into the future. Families prepare them before midnight, then rest for three days while Toshigami-sama, the deity of the coming year, visits every home. But why can't you use knives during the first three days? What happens to the kitchen god? And why do martial arts schools break open mirror-shaped mochi in January? Thersa shares her in-laws' traditions of food exchanges, the evolution from handmade to convenience store osechi, and the deeper spiritual layers beneath each symbolic dish. This episode of Uncanny Japan is brought to you by Spectrevision Radio, a podcast network of creators and entertainers with a love for horror, the paranormal, and championing the "other." Check out the rest of the podcasts at www.spectrevisionradio.com. [Please Note: Some of the links are affiliate links (both Amazon and other). This means that at no cost to you, if you use and purchase through them I receive a small compensation. This is paid by the retailer. It also helps support me and my artistic endeavors. Thank you.] Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon YouTube Facebook Instagram Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution) Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Credits Music by Julyan Ray Matsuura About SpectreVision Radio SpectreVision Radio is a bespoke podcast network at the intersection between the arts and the uncanny, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.com linktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Okay, the first couple of minutes I thought the voice was a little creepy because I thought the narrator sounded like a snake lady. Then, after listening for 15 minutes I was super intrigued. The Japanese words that are taught in English in this podcast is such valuable information, the folklore in general is amazing and explained beautifully. I’m happy to finally find something that is both entertaining and informative. Seriously, I went through 4 bad books that were incredibly boring on Japanese folklore. I was very hesitant because I don’t listen to podcasts and thought I’d give it a try, sooo glad I did. Thank youuu!!!! 🙏🏻

Unexpectedly Good

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Absolutely loving this podcast, been a huge blessing on my days having found it, definitely recommend.

Passion, skill, thoughtful, done with love

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I love storys, everything Japan, and fun weird creatures, this podcast has everything. I love this podcast so much! I lean tones of interesting facts and Japanese words every time I listen. Iv almost listened to every episodes and can’t wait every time a new one comes out! I highly recommend this podcast if you like Japanese history, mythology, or just fun/creepy story’s this podcast is for you!

Absolutely Amazing! Yo Kai storys!

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I put it all in the title: the stories are great and well structured her voice is soothing

Well told stories, calm but engaging voice, great audio

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I’m addicted to this podcast and has become a huge part of my night going back and listening to all the older episodes.

Delightful

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