Uncanny Japan, hosted by author Thersa Matsuura, explores obscure Japanese folklore, superstitions, yokai and cultural oddities, with binaural soundscapes recorded in Japan. The show has 203 episodes released about every two weeks, typically 20 to 40 minutes long. Estimated downloads are 5,000 to 25,000 per episode, with a rate of $90 to $625 per host-read mid-roll, an estimate that depends on the ratings signal.
Calm, long-running folklore show with a loyal listener base for Japan-curious audiences
- 203 episodes since 2016 with a 4.8 average Apple rating from 387 ratings
- Binaural soundscapes recorded in Japan give ads a distinctive, relaxing context
- Listeners are engaged with the host's books, making author and culture brands a natural fit
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- solo monologue, narrative, ambient soundscape
- Tone
- calm, curious
- Language
- English
- Production
- Clean, edited audio
- Typical length
- 20 to 45 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- SpectreVision Radio
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- Yes
Patreon support is linked on the About page, and the show promotes the host's own books, including The Yōkai Oracle Deck and Legends of Japanese Mythology.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Episode titles such as 'Folklore Story Time: The Sea Monster of the Oki Islands' and 'Creepy Story Time' cover folk horror and ghost stories, but no explicit content is flagged.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | www.uncannyjapan.com/ |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1176549358 |
| RSS feed | feeds.megaphone.fm/uncannyjapan |
Benchmark score: 72 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Never Say Monkey! Japan's Strangest Mountain Superstitions (Ep. 201) | 2026-10-12 | 21 min |
| The Lost Wolves of Japan: Gods, Guardians, and Ghosts (Ep. 200) -from | 2026-09-29 | 40 min |
| The Yōkai That Drops from the Trees *squish*: Tsurube Otoshi | 2026-09-14 | 20 min |
| Folklore Story Time: The Sea Monster of the Oki Islands (Ep. 198) | 2026-08-31 | 25 min |
| 100 Ghost Stories in the Dark: Why Summer Is Ghost Season in Japan (Ep | 2026-08-17 | 27 min |
| How to Welcome the Dead Home: Obon in Japan (Ep. 196) | 2026-08-03 | 35 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 7 days ago, a new one about every 14 days.
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,…
About Uncanny Japan
Uncanny Japan is a podcast about obscure Japanese folklore, superstitions, yokai and cultural curiosities, hosted by author and folklorist Thersa Matsuura according to the show's website. The show releases new episodes about every two weeks, usually 20 to 45 minutes long, with immersive soundscapes recorded in Japan such as ocean waves, crickets and rice field frogs. The Apple Podcasts listing shows 387 ratings with a 4.8 average.
According to the show's website, the listeners are primarily English-speaking, and the audience is estimated to be mostly in the United States. Listeners tend to be drawn to the calm narration and the folklore topics. These audience figures are estimates, not published data.
No sponsors are visible in the feed or episode titles; the show is supported through Patreon and promotes the host's books. Based on an estimated 5,000 to 25,000 downloads per episode, a host-read mid-roll would cost about $90 to $625 per episode. Brands in books, travel, relaxation or tea would be the best fit.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Uncanny Japan can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Uncanny Japan
How much does Uncanny Japan charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Estimated at $90 to $625 per host-read mid-roll, based on 5,000 to 25,000 estimated downloads per episode at $18 to $25 per thousand. The rate is an estimate derived from Apple ratings, not a published price.
What is Uncanny Japan about?
Uncanny Japan explores strange Japanese superstitions, folktales, yokai and cultural oddities. Host Thersa Matsuura uses soundscapes recorded in Japan, and new episodes arrive about every two weeks.
How do I contact Uncanny Japan about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can also be booked through Starbooked.
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