Most of us are aware of the story of this uncanny forest in Japan. The haunting stories about deaths, spirits and suicides, makes people very curious to know about this strange place. Many people consider this forest to be just a place that was chosen by people to end the journey of their lives. But a majority of people think that these deaths happen because of the presence of spirits and ghosts. So let’s explore this topic in more detail and try to better understand.
So for those who don’t know anything about this forest here’s a quick introduction. So, Aokigahara forest, also known as the “Sea of Trees” is located in the northwest base of Mount Fuji on the Honshu islands in Japan. It is a very popular hiking destination in Japan. This forest originated after the major eruption of Mount Fuji in 864CE. Over time, the lava of that eruption solidified into a hardened basalt making the base of this forest. And with vegetation growing on this land made it one of the important forest ecosystems of Japan.
This forest is not only known for being eerie but also for its rich biodiversity. With over 100 species of trees such as Hinoki cypress, hemlock, and Japanese cedar. Wildlife species like foxes, raccoon dogs, birds, and numerous insect species also add to the charm of Aokigahara forest.
What makes it unique is its volcanic origin. Due to this the land is uneven in many areas. Filled with many caves, crevices and pits this forest is like a mystery in itself. Many visitors are attracted to its maze-like feeling and want to explore the forest for this thrill.
Some of the specific peculiarities of this forest that makes it so eerie are:
1. Dense Canopy:
When visiting this forest, many hikers and tourists say that the dense canopy of the place makes it feel like twilight even during the daytime. Due to thick foliage lesser sunlight reaches the surface making it more thrilling and eerie.
2. Absence of Wind:
Again due to dense canopy, people feel very little winds creating a sense of deep stillness. And when they eventually feel some wind passing, it creates an eerie feeling.
3. Natural Sound Absorption:
Due to the density of trees and volcanic soil’s properties, an unusual acoustic environment is created causing muffling of sound. Which makes the place very silent, making many people scared and feel disturbed.
4.Compass Interference:
As the volcanic soil is rich in iron, it affects the compass magnet a lot. This feeds into the mysteries and haunting stories of the forest even more.
Now let’s come to the main reason why you decided to open this web page. The mystery of Aokigahara forest. Firstly we will try to learn about the folklore associated with this forest and then will know about the modern image.
In many Japanese stories, it was believed that this forest is home to many yurei( ghosts) and yokai( supernatural beings). Many people have claimed to feel their presence and some even saw it.
According to some legends, Aokigahara forest was once a place of ubasute. Ubasute was a practice where elderly members of a family were abandoned at a place to die, mostly during the times of famine.
Also, it is believed that in the volcanic eruption of 864CE, the lava burned the entire villages which also adds to the curse of the place.
Aokigahara is referenced in many notable literature such as “Tales of Genji”, and it continues to inspire writers, filmmakers and artists. In modern times, Aokigahara forest is famous for being the “Suicide Forest”. Unfortunately, Aokigahara forest has now become a very appealing place for people who just want to go somewhere and never come back. It is believed that so many people choose to commit suicide in this is due to the publication of Seicho Matsumoto's novel "Tower of Waves" and the 1993 book "The Complete Manual of Suicide" by Wataru Tsurumi.
In these works, Aokigahara forest is portrayed as a place where people commit suicides. And another reason is of course due to its past reputation of being a site of ubasute.
Although we know a major number of people have died there, the Japanese authorities no longer release the statistics to the general public to discourage them from committing such a thing. Authorities have made efforts to stop the suicides by adding encouraging signs all over the forest, reminding them of how precious they and their lives are. And regular patrols by officials and volunteers around the place also helps in reducing the number of deaths.
On the final note, if you or anyone you know could be struggling from mental health issues, do seek out help and be there for others. Thankyou for reading. For more such interesting articles check out our blog on this website.