Japan’s Haunted Suicide Forest

The Sea Of Trees In Japan

There are some truly fascinating places around the globe. The view of Mount Fuji in Japan can be counted among them. Mount Fuji last erupted in 1864, leaving behind a mineral rich soil in its surrounding areas. This helped form the Jukai, known as the sea of trees, that is Aokigahara Forest. The trees here have twisted roots and incredible thickness thanks to the volcanic base. The vast area remains green year round yet there is little to no wildlife in the area, which actually makes it a bit eerie. This is one of the most visited forests in the world by tourists and locals alike. Also explored by paranormal hunters, they believe this is the most haunted forest in the world. The reason behind it is a bit freighting. It is the location of the most suicides in Japan. It actually ranks second in the world as the spot with the most suicides. But how and why is this possible? Could an area actually be haunted and attract such negative energy?

Many Walk Into the Forest And Never Come Back Out

At the very entrance of the forest, there are many signs with a disturbing message. They urge anyone with intentions of suicide to please think of family, and place a suicide prevention hot line to call. This should immediately let you know that this is not your typical forest. There is a marked trail that many tourists tend to follow while ignoring the signs on their way to an ice and wind wave. But venture a bit off the beaten path, and you will find rope or tape that many people wrap around the trees. People use these as guides while creating their own routes around the forest. These people are going in with the intention of committing suicide, and place these trails just in case they decide to change their mind at the last moment. It is a very common sight to behold at the Aokigahara Forest. When you choose to follow these trails, there are two things you are certain to find. You might find the belongings someone left behind after they changed their mind and headed home or you are going to find the corpse of someone who killed themselves by hanging or pill overdose. The police often check the land for bodies, finding as many as two per week.

Could The Land Really Be Cursed?

The Japanese do not view suicide as other people from around the world. Samurais and kamikaze pilots during WWII have a history of choosing death over defeat. The Japanese view this as very honorable. The Aokigahara forest has had a long history of death. As far back as the early 19th century, during the great famine of Japan, many died in this forest. Families would leave behind the elderly and sick since they could not afford to feed them. They would die of starvation, perhaps even tainting the land. The yurei, known as white figures or ghost, are known to roam this land. In Japanese folklore, it was believed that yurei were the result of a violent death. They encourage visitors to stray off the path and condemn them to commit suicide. Deep in the forest, the magnetic ions affect compasses and cell phone receptions, increasing the chances of getting lost. With the paranoid of the yurei, some people may panic and kill themselves. Workers and locals often hear loud screams come from within the forests, which they believe could be the tortured souls.

There may be a near solution to the problem. It is believed that Mount Fuji is past due for an eruption. The same natural process that made this forest can wipe it out. The trees will be gone, but perhaps the yurei will remain forever. We may never know the answer.