Expedition Unknown Season 2 Episode 17 Yamashita's Gold

In season 2, episode 17 of Expedition Unknown, host Josh Gates embarks on a search for Yamashita's Gold, a fabled treasure rumored to have been buried by Japanese soldiers during World War II. Gates travels to the Philippines, where stories of the treasure have persisted for decades, to try and uncover the truth about this elusive trove.

Gates begins by visiting a local museum that houses artifacts from World War II, including Japanese equipment and uniforms. He speaks with a historian who explains that the Yamashita's Gold legend has many variations, but most say that the treasure was hidden in caves or underground tunnels.

Gates then meets with a Filipino treasure hunter who claims to have evidence of Yamashita's Gold. The man shows Gates an old map that supposedly marks the location of one of the treasure sites, as well as a metal detector that he has used to search for the gold.

Next, Gates visits the site of a former Japanese military headquarters, where he speaks with a local man who witnessed the Japanese burying something in a pit. The man describes how he and his friends later dug up the pit, but found only rocks and dirt.

Gates continues his investigation by interviewing a retired colonel from the Filipino army, who tells him about a secret mission to search for Yamashita's Gold in the 1970s. The colonel explains that the mission was unsuccessful, but that he believes the treasure is still hidden somewhere in the mountains.

With this information, Gates decides to explore a mountain range in the Philippines that is believed to be the location of several Yamashita's Gold sites. He sets out on a challenging hike, traversing steep trails and dense jungle, with the help of a local guide.

As Gates and his team approach the first site, they find evidence of recent digging, indicating that other treasure hunters have been in the area. Despite this setback, they continue on, using metal detectors and ground-penetrating radar to search for any signs of hidden caverns or tunnels.

The team uncovers several intriguing clues, including an old Japanese coin and a piece of cable that may have been used to haul treasure out of a pit. They also discover a network of caves that may have served as a hiding place for the gold.

Throughout the episode, Gates interviews experts and locals who share their knowledge and theories about Yamashita's Gold. He learns about the historical context of the treasure, as well as the many myths and legends that surround it.

Ultimately, the search for Yamashita's Gold proves to be elusive, as the team is unable to definitively locate any treasure. However, Gates remains fascinated by the mystery and the many stories that continue to circulate about this legendary hoard.