The Aokigahara Forest, also known as the Suicide Forest, is a dense forest located at the northwest base of Mount Fuji in Japan. It is infamous for being a popular site for suicides and is known to be one of the most haunted places in the world.
While the forest’s haunting reputation has been popularized in recent years due to media coverage, there are still many chilling facts about the forest that many people may not be aware of. Here are 10 chilling facts about Japan‘s Suicide Forest:
1. The forest is a site of hundreds of suicides every year
Aokigahara Forest has a tragic reputation as one of the most popular sites for suicide in Japan, with hundreds of people taking their own lives there every year. The forest’s dense and sprawling nature makes it easy for people to get lost and provides the privacy that many suicidal individuals seek.
2. The forest’s popularity as a suicide site has a long history
The Aokigahara Forest has a long history of being a site of suicides. According to some estimates, people have been taking their own lives in the forest since the 19th century. The forest’s reputation as a site of suicides grew in the 1960s, after a novel was published in which the forest was the setting for a tragic love story.
3. The forest is associated with yurei, or Japanese ghosts
The Aokigahara Forest is said to be home to yurei, which are Japanese ghosts that are known for their vengeful and malevolent behavior. These ghosts are said to be the spirits of people who have died in the forest, and they are believed to haunt the area and cause harm to those who enter.
4. The forest is known for its eerie silence
Despite being a dense forest, the Aokigahara Forest is known for its eerie silence. This is because the trees in the forest are so dense that they block out much of the sound from the outside world. This silence can be unnerving to some people who visit the forest.
5. The forest has a nickname: the Sea of Trees
The Aokigahara Forest is often referred to as the Sea of Trees because of its dense and sprawling nature. The forest is so thick that it is easy to get lost in, and it can be difficult to find one’s way out.
6. The forest is full of caves
The Aokigahara Forest is full of caves, which are often used as sites for suicides. The caves in the forest are known for their dark and eerie atmosphere, and many people who enter them never come out.
7. The forest is littered with reminders of death
As a site of hundreds of suicides every year, the Aokigahara Forest is littered with reminders of death. These reminders can take many forms, including abandoned tents, discarded personal belongings, and even the remains of people who have taken their own lives in the forest.
8. The forest is difficult to navigate
The Aokigahara Forest is difficult to navigate, even for experienced hikers. The forest’s dense and sprawling nature, combined with the lack of trails and signage, can make it easy to get lost. In fact, some people who enter the forest with the intention of committing suicide are never found.
9. The forest has a high magnetic field
The Aokigahara Forest is known for its high magnetic field, which can cause compasses and other navigation tools to malfunction. This can make it even more difficult for people to navigate the forest and find their way out.
10. There are organizations working to prevent suicide in the forest:
While the Aokigahara forest is known for its high suicide rates, there are organizations working to prevent suicide and provide support for those who are struggling with mental health issues. For example, the NPO Lifelink provides counseling services and support for those who are considering suicide or have lost a loved one to suicide.
