Aokigahara Forest has a dark and haunting history, with hundreds of corpses discovered.
There are famous landmarks not known for their beauty but for the stories they tell. Perhaps Aokigahara forest in Japan is one of the most famous places in the world for its haunting name: the Suicidal Forest.
The Enigmatic Beauty of the Ancient Forest
Aokigahara is located in Yamanashi Prefecture, north of Mount Fuji, just a two-hour drive from Tokyo. This is a very ancient forest, over 1,000 years old, and it is also the same number of years that legends about the “cursed forest” have been passed down. According to folklore, the forest is home to yūrei, which in Japanese mythology means the spirits of the deceased. This is the second most popular place in the world for suicide, after the Golden Gate Bridge in the United States.
Aokigahara is a very ancient forest over 1,000 years old.
One of the signs erected by authorities reads: “Life is a precious gift from our parents. Don’t worry alone; please contact us first. Reach out to the Suicide Prevention Alliance of the Fujiyoshida Police Department.“
Japan is known for an unwanted record: the highest suicide rate in the world. This arises from many causes, primarily due to the immense pressure in every aspect of society.
Why has Aokigahara become such a famous suicide location? There are various reasons behind this. According to local legends, in ancient times, Aokigahara was where people practiced ubasute, an ancient Japanese custom of taking the elderly or sick to remote places to let them die there. In another legend, the forest was also where impoverished families often abandoned infants or the elderly they could no longer care for during famines. The dark reputation of Aokigahara has persisted for centuries.
Over the past 70 years, approximately 500 bodies of individuals who entered the forest to commit suicide have been discovered. The issue has become so serious that authorities have had to post notices in multiple languages in various areas of the forest to encourage those in despair to seek help before taking tragic actions.
Dark and tragic images in Aokigahara.
The gloomy atmosphere and the stories surrounding Aokigahara have instilled fear and trepidation in anyone who enters. Numerous rumors suggest that Aokigahara disorients those who enter, that the forest has an “eerie energy” that makes people feel pessimistic and inclined to negative thoughts whenever they step in. However, in reality, this can be easily explained: the reason is that this is a very lush forest. The high trees block sunlight in many areas, creating a dark feeling and making it easy for walkers to get lost.
Another reason people are terrified of Aokigahara is that all modern technologies and devices like compasses and mobile phones lose signal within the forest. In fact, this is due to the presence of magnetic iron in the volcanic soil of the area.
The Suicidal Forest is Reviving
In recent years, Aokigahara has been experiencing a resurgence of life. Many services and shops have emerged to cater to tourists. More people are coming to Aokigahara for hiking and leisure rather than seeking it out as a deathly place. Thanks to government efforts, the number of suicides in Aokigahara has reportedly decreased over the years, although since 2021, authorities have stopped publishing the numbers of suicides occurring there. The dark legends are also mentioned less frequently.
Aokigahara Forest is a beautiful natural sightseeing destination.
With its natural beauty, the area attracts numerous hikers and adventure enthusiasts eager to witness the splendor of Mount Fuji. It is also a region of natural beauty with several lava caves and diverse wildlife. However, those entering the forest for tourism are advised not to go alone and to carry a roll of plastic tape to mark their path to avoid getting lost.
