Aokigahara 青木ヶ原 is a
beautiful forest found North-West at the base of Mount Fuji. It is filled with beautiful
trees, and caves making it a popular tourist attraction. When this
forest is seen from the mountain, it resembles like a green sea or
rather a sea of forest, which earned its nickname Jukai 樹海. However, there’s another nickname
given to this forest: Suicide Forest. Be warned that the content on
this page may seem graphic for younger readers, discretion is
advised.
There is an epidemic in the forest of Aokigahara, suicide.
Yes, every year there are as much as 100 suicides committed in this
forest by people who grew tired of living, making it the most
popular suicide destination in all of Japan (second only to the
Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco) hence its catchphrase
“Aokigahara is the perfect place to die”.
These numbers are only documented cases and the Government is
of no help with better numbers. It is speculated that there are a
lot more people than the government lets us believe.Traditionally,
suicide was reserved to protect family honor in Japan during the
days of the Samurai. It was also a method used by poor families
whom would bring their elders to the mountains to die in order to
protect their family from starvation and other reasons.
This act was known as Ubasute
姥捨て and it is unknown whether or not this actually happened
but is seen as a legend and generally a story about sacrifice.
Today in modern Japan, suicide has become an epidemic of combined
stress and hatred towards oneself and society rather than honor and
sacrifice. There is an overwhelming amount of stress at work,
school, and from family members which often drive both teenagers
and adults to end their life.
Whatever their reason may be, many of them will find
themselves in Aokigahara making what may very well be their final
decision.At the entrance of Aokigahara there is a sign that warns
potential victims to think carefully about what they are about to
do because their life is a gift given by their parents. It is also
written to please think about their family and to talk to others
about what troubles them and to contact the Suicide Prevention
Hotline at 055-22-0110.
Tourists may enter the trails as they please however some
trails are off-limits. These forbidden trails are pretty obvious
even to foreigners to not enter, but what is beyond these points?
Most likely you would encounter corpses, trailing tape leading to
empty tents & more corpses, suicide notes and lots of forest to get
lost into. Unless you’re a survival expert with permission, it’s
probably best to avoid these trails.
This editorial was written during October for our Spooky Japan
event. It wouldn’t be spooky without the mention of
Yokai and Ghosts (
yurei 幽霊)
which have been seen throughout the Aokigahara forest. Locals do
not enter the forest as children are warned of the dangers which
are both physical and paranormal. Legend has it that a compass does
not work in certain parts of Aokigahara (likely due to underground
concentrates of iron) therefore anyone straying away from the
trails may find themselves lost forever.
Many have claimed to have seen ghosts whom may be lingering in
purgatory at night. Some others have claimed to have seen Yokai or
have been guided back home by them.Aokigahara is considered to be
the most haunted location in Japan and often times, the last place
people go to.
It remains to be a popular tourist attraction and many believe
it to be worth exploring. Do you dare to visit this haunted
forest?
