Located beside Japan’s famous Mount Fuji, Aokigahara Forest is not only a place of natural beauty but also shrouded in deep mystery. Tourists flock to this forest to capture various scenic views of the mountain and to immerse themselves in nature through hiking.
However, the forest’s incredibly dense vegetation significantly increases the chances of getting lost, prompting some daring individuals to venture off the marked trails into its depths.
Many of these individuals enter the forest with the intention of committing suicide, straying from the designated paths for this reason. Aokigahara has thus become known as a center for suicides, holding a mystic place in Japanese history with countless recorded and unrecorded cases. Upon entering, the presence of abandoned cars helps paint a picture of the forest’s grim reality.
Instead of traditional signs, messages like “Please do not commit suicide, life is a gift,” are posted deeper in the Aokigahara Forest, alongside nailed objects and farewell notes that communicate messages to society or loved ones left behind.
As one ventures further, it is not uncommon to find bodies of those who have hanged themselves from trees or overdosed at the base of a tree.
Terrible Atmosphere
Sometimes, one may also find tents—some occupied, some not—where people have stayed for days to contemplate their final decision. Authorities consistently find at least one body during each search operation. Although Japan does not officially disclose its annual number of suicides, estimates suggest the number ranges between 50 to 100.
(The Japanese government began regular search operations in the 1970s due to the rising number of bodies found in Aokigahara. In 2002, a record number of 78 bodies were discovered, most of whom had committed suicide.)
Sociologist and author Wataru Tsurumui has written a book titled “The Complete Manual of Suicide,” which describes this forest as the perfect place for suicide. Interestingly, this book has been found on some of the deceased individuals in the forest.
Why do people choose this forest to commit suicide?
Why do people choose this forest to commit suicide? Is there a mystical force drawing them here? According to local belief, Aokigahara is seen as a purgatory for souls trapped between this world and the afterlife. The forest’s mystic ambiance, combined with the Japanese cultural belief in the existence of spirits post-mortem, seemingly increases the inclination for suicides here.
Another belief is that, about 2-3 kilometers into the forest, eerie humming sounds can be heard, though their source remains unidentified. People believe these sounds are the voices of spirits caught between life and death.
Aokigahara Forest has not only become a fatal attraction for those intent on ending their lives but also for innocent visitors, as the high iron content in the soil can disrupt compass functionality, leading to disorientation and loss.
The forest is so full of trees and complex that people leave signs on the trees to get back. In the past, many have gotten lost and perished in the forest. Furthermore, a room designated for storing corpses, which sounds quite macabre, is maintained by the forest management.
Aokigahara Forest in Popular Culture
The story of this forest has been covered in various books, documentaries, and was most recently featured in the 2016 horror film, “The Forest.” This film narrates the story of an American, Sara Price, who travels to Japan to search for her sister, Jess, who has gone missing in Aokigahara Forest. As Sara, along with a guide named Aiden, ventures deeper into the forest to trace Jess, they start to believe the forest’s creepy legends might actually be true. Sara finds herself under threat from mysterious entities and demonic forces, racing against time to save herself.
In addition to this film, Aokigahara Forest has inspired various other series, films, documentaries, and books.
Among series, titles include “The Forest” (2017) and “Aokigahara” (2018) Films such as “The Sea of Trees” (2015), “Grave Halloween” (2013), and “The Real Aokigahara” (2018) also explore this theme.
Documentaries like “The Suicide Forest” (2017), “Aokigahara: Japan’s Haunted Forest” (2014), and “Destination Truth: Aokigahara Forest” (2011) have delved into its mysteries.
Additionally, numerous books have been written about Aokigahara, including “The Complete Manual of Suicide” (1993), “The Suicide Forest” (2018), and “Aokigahara: The Mystery of Japan’s Suicide Forest” (2012).
Would you dare to enter this mystical forest from which some say no one emerges, or perhaps chooses not to?
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