EPISODE GUIDE

SEASON ONE

JUKAI:

THE SUICIDE FOREST

Forest floor with fallen trees, moss, and scattered blue strings among dense woodland.
Various old shoes covered in moss on a forest floor.

Episode 1: Origins of a Mysterious Forest

Stories examining the origins of Aokigahara Jukai (the "Suicide Forest")-- from a volcanic eruption burying 30,000 to tales of ghosts, mysterious screams, the Tengu yokai creature in the trees, and superstitions surrounding the forest. 

Produced, written and translated by Heath A. Havey

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Japanese art illustration of a mythical creature resembling a bird holding a sword.
Forest path blocked by "No Entry" signs in Aokigahara Forest, Japan.

Episode 2: EXPUNGING EVIL FROM THE FOREST

Stories about monks who mummified themselves alive to expel the evil from Jukai, and a journalist seeks a hidden cult in the forest and finds more than he bargained for. 

Produced, written and translated by Heath A. Havey

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Episode 3: BECOMING 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 4: murder in THE SUICIDE FOREST

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Produced, written and translated by Heath A. Havey

This episode relates stories of curses and murder in the suicide forest, a perfect place for a perfect crime, the group known as "murder maniacs," and a journalist finds his life hanging by a thread--literally.

Produced, written and translated by Heath A. Havey

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Episode 5: CORPSE HUNTERS in THE SUICIDE FOREST

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

Produced, written and translated by Heath A. Havey

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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.

Produced, written and translated by Heath A. Havey

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Episode 7: a stash of cash in jukai

An unbelievable heist in Japan. Japan’s favorite author commits an act of violence that will shock the nation. Are these two connected? And how do they connect to Jukai? Are millions of dollars hidden somewhere in the forest caves?

Produced, written and translated by Heath A. Havey

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Episode 8: GHOST STORIES From THE SUICIDE FOREST

Is Jukai haunted? This episode features ghost stories from Jukai.

Produced, written and translated by Heath A. Havey

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Episode 9: folklore tales from jukai

Jukai has resulted in urban legends and tales of folklore. Season one wraps up by examining some of the scariest tales from the forest.

Produced, written and translated by Heath A. Havey

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What people are saying

“As authentic and scary as it gets for Japan. Like nothing I’ve ever heard before.”