Never Say Monkey! Japan's Strangest Mountain Superstitions (Ep. 201)

What happens if you say "monkey" before entering the mountains? Why shouldn't you sing or whistle in the forest? And what on earth is wrong with pointing at a snake?

As I prepare for a long road trip north through Japan, I'm digging into some wonderfully strange regional superstitions from Tōhoku and Hokkaidō. From mountain gods with strong opinions about music to forbidden bear names, sacred trees, and a mine deity whose guard dog apparently has a wandering ear, these old beliefs offer a funny, fascinating glimpse into a world where the mountains were alive, the animals were listening, and one wrong word might bring misfortune.

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