Uncover the mystery of the Tsuchinoko—Japan’s strangest and most elusive cryptid—in this eerie episode of Supernatural Japan. With its snake-like body and bulging midsection, this bizarre creature has sparked decades of sightings, folklore, and real-life searches across rural Japan. We explore its origins, eyewitness encounters, and the cultural fascination that keeps the legend alive. Is the Tsuchinoko just a misidentified animal… or something far more mysterious?

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The Legend of Inunaki Village tells of a remote, cursed settlement in Fukuoka Prefecture that was sealed off after its residents rejected the modern world and declared they would follow their own laws. According to the tale, in the 1970s, a tunnel near the village was the site of a brutal murder and subsequent supernatural occurrences; anyone who enters the abandoned village or hears its gate’s toll is said to vanish or be driven mad. Over time, the story blended real incidents (including a notorious 1990s murder in the area) with urban-myth elements—ruined buildings, a mysterious stone gate, and malevolent spirits—making Inunaki a popular and chilling subject in Japanese horror and internet creepypasta.

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A beautiful woman waits by a misty waterfall… but she’s no human. In this chilling episode of Supernatural Japan, we dive into the legend of the Jorōgumo — Japan’s deadly spider-woman yōkai. Explore her Edo-period origins, eerie encounters at Jōren Falls, and terrifying tales like Genbe the fisherman and Samurai Hiroshi. Blending folklore, history, and horror, this episode uncovers how the Jorōgumo lures, traps, and devours her victims — and why her legend still thrives in modern anime, manga, and Japanese culture.

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Far out in the Philippine Sea lies Hachijōjima—a remote island once used to exile disgraced nobles and powerful figures. In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore its dark history, from the legendary banishment of Minamoto no Tametomo to eerie modern hauntings. At the abandoned Hachijō Royal Hotel, ghostly encounters and unsettling stories linger. Why do the spirits of the exiled still haunt this island? Discover the chilling folklore and paranormal mysteries of Japan’s Island of Exile.

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Step into one of Tokyo’s darkest hidden histories in this chilling episode of Supernatural Japan, as we explore Jōkan-ji—infamously known as the “Throw-Away Temple.” Located in the historic Yoshiwara district, this unassuming temple holds the remains of thousands of women, many of them courtesans who lived and died in hardship, disease, and isolation during Japan’s Edo period. We uncover the haunting past of this sacred site, the tragic stories of the forgotten souls buried there, and the eerie ghost sightings that persist to this day. Blending true history, cultural context, and spine-tingling supernatural encounters, this episode reveals why Jōkan-ji is considered one of Japan’s most haunted locations—and why some spirits may never have truly left. Perfect for fans of Japanese folklore, dark history, and real-life hauntings, this is an episode you won’t forget.

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In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore the eerie world of Japan’s haunted love motels. Learn the surprising history of Japanese love hotels, their rise during the economic Bubble era, and how some later became abandoned haikyo ruins. From the infamous Seline Love Motel in Nagano to the mysterious “haunted room” legend of the Akasaka Love Hotel, we uncover chilling urban legends, real crimes, and ghost stories connected to these secretive spaces. Why do abandoned love hotels attract paranormal tales and urban explorers? Step inside Japan’s most unusual haunted locations — if you dare.

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In the 1970s, a quiet corner of rural Japan was shaken by a series of chilling murders. The killer struck on the same day each week, earning a terrifying nickname — the Wednesday Strangler. In this episode of Supernatural Japan, we explore a disturbing true crime case from Saga Prefecture, the investigation that gripped the nation, and the mysterious suspect at the center of it. Was the truth ever uncovered, or does the shadow of the Wednesday Strangler still linger in Japan’s forgotten countryside?

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British author, podcaster, and reverend Peter Laws joins this chilling episode of Supernatural Japan to discuss his fascinating career exploring the dark side of belief, horror, and the unexplained. Known for his book The Frighteners: Why We Love Monsters, Ghosts, Death & Gore, the Matt Hunter thriller series, his atmospheric YouTube channel Into the Fog with Peter Laws, and his appearances as part of Team Believer on the hit Uncanny podcast, Peter brings his unique perspective on the supernatural to the show. In this episode, he shares insights into his work in writing and podcasting and recounts a terrifying story about travelers who unknowingly book a haunted Airbnb in Kyoto filled with eerie dolls. If you love Japanese ghost stories, paranormal podcasts, and true creepy encounters in Japan, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Celebrate the 100th episode of Supernatural Japan as returning contributor Phillip Jackson shares chilling tales from Kyoto, diving into the eerie tradition of goryō worship—the vengeful spirits of wronged nobles. This episode explores the tragic story of Prince Sawara, brother of Emperor Kanmu, who was accused of an assassination plot, exiled to Awaji Island, and whose angry spirit was blamed for disasters in the ancient capital. Discover why ceremonies to appease these feared ghosts continue to this day, and don’t miss Kevin’s announcement of the brand-new Supernatural Japan Premium membership on Patreon for listeners who want even more supernatural content.

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Dive into one of Kyoto’s darkest legends in this chilling episode of Supernatural Japan as we explore the haunted history of Nanzen-ji, where legendary outlaw Ishikawa Goemon was supposedly boiled alive after a failed assassination attempt on Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Was Goemon truly a Robin Hood–style hero or a criminal whose story grew in the telling? We separate history from folklore, examine the gruesome execution that shocked feudal Japan, and uncover the chilling ghost stories said to haunt Nanzen-ji’s peaceful temple grounds today—perfect for fans of Japanese history, haunted places, and dark folklore.

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