The Mysterious Japan

Episode 11: The Ghosts of Iwo Jima

To the Japanese, Iwo Jima is hallowed ground where the remains of thousands of restless spirits dwell. This episode explores the ghost stories of Iwo Jima.

Episode 10: The Holdouts of Iwo Jima

The true and amazing story of two holdouts who survived the attack on Iwo Jima but did not know the war had ended. This is the first time their story has been told in English.

Episode 9: Urban Legends and Dark Folklore from Jukai

Jukai has become the source of urban legends, dark folklore, and scary stories. This episode explores these dark tales, claimed by some to be true, but only you can be the judge of that.

Episode 8: Ghost Stories from Jukai

This episode recounts tales of encounters with ghosts in Jukai. Though the witnesses claim these stories are true, listen and judge for yourself. 

Episode 7: A Stash of Cash in Jukai

The heist of the century in Japan is retold. Over 300 million yen was stolen and never accounted for. An award winning author commits an act of unimaginable violence to pursue his extreme political ideals. These two stories may relate back to Jukai, and the millions may be hidden somewhere within.

Episode 6: The Mysteries of Jukai

This episode examines stories around the six most popular legends of Jukai: a Lake of Blood in Jukai, spirit monks, a hidden village of castouts, a cursed altar that will not let people leave, sounds and phantoms in the forest, and the story of the woman in the red dress. Some of these legends surprisingly have been proven true.

Episode 5: Corpse Hunters in the Suicide Forest

Stories of the types of people who go into the Suicide Forest searching for corpses, including the socially shunned "Corpse Maniacs," and the frightening tale of two men who go in looking for corpses but find something supernatural.

Episode 4: Murder in the Suicide Forest

Rumors of curses and murder abound in the suicide forest. It is a perfect place for a perfect crime, and many of these rumors have been proven true. A journalist finds his life hanging by a thread at the hands of a murderer.

Episode 3: How Jukai Became the ”Suicide Forest”

This episode examines stories showing the origins of Jukai becoming known as the "Suicide Forest," including tales of heroes seeking to intervene to prevent the suicides. As the sensitive topic of suicide is discussed, listener discretion is advised.

Episode 2: Expunging Evil from the Forest

Buddhist ascetic monks mummified themselves alive to expel the evil from Jukai in a gruesome process, and a journalist seeks a hidden cult in the forest and finds more than he bargained for.