The Aokigahara Forest

Forests have long been symbols of both serenity and natural beauty, as well as darkness and mystery. For some, they are a peaceful haven for a short morning walk, whilst for others a shadowy place to be avoided at all costs. And as for me, the woods are one of the key realms of eerie and fear, with their towering trees, foggy depths, and labyrinthine nature; they simply are gateways to the unknown.

And there is one where fear takes root:

The Aokigahara Forest.

Located at the base of Japan's famous Mount Fuji, there lies a forest that takes the lives of people one by one, swallowing them as a whole, known as the Sea of Trees. The Aokigahara covering over nearly thirty square kilometers and is packed with long trees that are blocking out sunlight, forming a shadowy labyrinth with its unnerving quietness. Most of its visitors describe this silence as heavy, so heavy that even a weak crack of a thin branch or a quick whistle of the wind can feel like a loud scream. I must say the Aokigahara certainly is creating a creepy setting in this solitude and every footstep feels amplified and every shadow elongated.

Since suicide was – and still is – a huge problem in Japan, the forest took place in the international news, I think many of you may have heard that Aokigahara is perhaps best known as a final destination for poor souls who wish to end their suffering as it claims the fame as one of the most common suicide sites in the world. Not shockingly, Aokigahara’s close relationship with the theme of death has given rise to numerous ghost stories; some of them are simply tragic, while others are rooted in pure terror. While watching a documentary I realized the locals in that area are continuously talking about yūrei which means the restless spirits of the dead - lost souls who are still wandering, chained to the forest with their unresolved pain and regret.

This is the sign that awaits visitors at its entrance:

And here is the approximate translation:

While delving deep into this matter, I’ve learned the haunting myths of Aokigahara extend far beyond its connection with those suicides. A horrific, heartwrenching story from centuries ago, during a devastating time of famine in Japan, surely created the background for the forest’s suffocating atmosphere. In those times, the elderly and sick individuals in the communities were tied to the trees and abandoned to die, they literally left in the woods by their friends or families – what a horrible way to go! While the story has not been fully proven yet, I think it is safe to say that this legend has completely changed the atmosphere of the forest in the first place.

When I searched for the current visitors of Aokigahara and took a look at the reviews, they often report that the forest plays horrifying tricks on them at times - especially at night - and these people strongly sense a disoriented feeling while walking its trails, and claim this place itself is haunted by the ones who wandered there before. Some even swear that they hear creepy whispers in the silence, fainted cries calling out for help; while some describe a sensation as they are being watched from the deep, endless shadows. Since I’m not the one who has experienced the supernatural, the most terrible thing about this place for me is something more tangible. I was deeply affected when I saw the personal belongings that were left behind, the visual evidence of the real tragedies. Abandoned tents, torn clothes, and faded photographs of the victims and their loved ones - the silent remnants of a life once lived.

People are drawn to Aokigahara Forest for several reasons, despite – or should I say mainly because of - its dark reputation. Of course, the main reason for visitors to decide to go into these woods is the forest’s close relation with myths, ghost stories, and its strong atmosphere. Especially the ones who worship the supernatural or the macabre, must have found here quite fascinating for sure. And if we put aside the negative reputation of the place, there is no doubt that Aokigahara is a stunning natural site with its unusual volcanic rock formations which makes the ground look like it straight out of a grimm tale and the serene environment appeals to hikers and nature lovers.

I believe that there is something about Aokigahara – this place itself makes one feel like it is a mirror, an area of reflection, a quiet reminder for us to realize how fragile this life is while making us appreciate its undeniable beauty.

License Links for the Images :

Image 1 :

"Hiking in Aokigahara Sea of Trees (50295849761)" by Big Ben in Japan from Kawasaki, Japan is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Image 2 :

"Sea of forest" by elminium is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Image 3 :

"Aokigahara (suicide forest)" by imallergic is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.