Aokigahara
青木ヶ原
Mount Fuji, Yamanashi Prefecture
Said to have formed 1,200 years prior through lava flow, Aokigahara is a dense cluster of vegetation and trees which spread across an area of thirty kilometres at the base of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture.
While stunning in natural beauty, Aokigahara is internationally famous for being a well-used suicide spot. 'Complete Suicide Manual' by Tsurumi Wataru (1993) may have triggered the popularity of suicide, claiming the area is a romantic place to end one's life.
'Nami no Tou - 波の塔 ' by Seichou Matsumoto (1959) also has ties to inspiring suicide within the forest after a series of copycat incidents followed the main character's choice in ending their life within Aokigahara.
'Nami no Tou - 波の塔 ' by Seichou Matsumoto (1959) also has ties to inspiring suicide within the forest after a series of copycat incidents followed the main character's choice in ending their life within Aokigahara.
Because suicide is common within Aokigahara, thrill seekers venture to the area in order to search for corpses, and regular body sweeps are held by professionals and volunteers in order to comb the forest for victims.
A number of signs mark the pathways, imploring visitors to call loved ones and to reconsider any final decisions. Forest rangers are strict about solo visitors, and have turned back any visitors who do not have a sustainable amount of provisions.
A number of signs mark the pathways, imploring visitors to call loved ones and to reconsider any final decisions. Forest rangers are strict about solo visitors, and have turned back any visitors who do not have a sustainable amount of provisions.
Aokigahara is also home to a number of urban legends inspired by local beliefs and historical practices which have leaked into the present. Sacrifice, while uncommon, was noted in the form of 'ubasute - 姥捨て' - the act of euthanasia by leaving an elderly relative within a secluded area in order to succumb to the elements.
The caves which are located within Aokigahara also contain remains of sacrificed monks and priests who now act as guardians to the formations.
Historical acts of sacrifice have been said to inspire local gangs to dispose of bodies within the forest - often forcing the victim to the gang's desired location within the forest whilst still alive.
The caves which are located within Aokigahara also contain remains of sacrificed monks and priests who now act as guardians to the formations.
Historical acts of sacrifice have been said to inspire local gangs to dispose of bodies within the forest - often forcing the victim to the gang's desired location within the forest whilst still alive.
The perils of becoming lost are a constant concern for travellers who enter the area without tracking gear; minerals within the landscape render compasses useless in parts of the forest, and electronic devices such as phones and digital trackers malfunction.
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Wandering the forest at night is prohibited due to the belief of beings emerging from the formations of lava holes in search of victims to drag to the underworld. Sightings of faces, limbs, shadows, and fog are believed to be the night-dwelling beings.
Travellers who have returned from exploring mention similar reports of hearing voices and screams deep within the forest, as if luring people from the path. |
The ground of Aokigahara is filled with holes caused by hardened lava. An urban legend states human-like beings emerge from these holes after dark.
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Belongings of suicide victims can be spotted in pockets of the forest, and among common items of umbrellas, alcohol bottles, and tarps, a popular item to have within a victim's possession is a cassette tape with final words to loved ones.
It is believed that listening to an abandoned cassette tape will bring about a devastating curse.
Among reports of becoming severely ill, deeply depressed, and hearing voices, visitors have stated seeing figures in and around their car on desolate roads - particularly that of a woman with long, black hair and glazed eyes.
She is said to approach vehicles and leave long scratches in the glass and paintwork. Further reports say she can be seen within homes, peeking through windows, and appearing within shadows.
It is believed that listening to an abandoned cassette tape will bring about a devastating curse.
Among reports of becoming severely ill, deeply depressed, and hearing voices, visitors have stated seeing figures in and around their car on desolate roads - particularly that of a woman with long, black hair and glazed eyes.
She is said to approach vehicles and leave long scratches in the glass and paintwork. Further reports say she can be seen within homes, peeking through windows, and appearing within shadows.
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