Nestled at the northwest base of Mount Fuji, Aokigahara Forest, also known as Jukai (“Sea of Trees”), presents an eerie silence broken only by the rustling of leaves and the occasional flitting of wildlife. A 35-square-kilometer expanse of verdant beauty, Aokigahara Forest is a maze of intertwining trees, their roots sprawling over the hardened lava that once flowed from Japan’s iconic volcano.
What makes Aokigahara unique, aside from its volcanic underpinnings, is the silence. The dense growth muffles sound, giving the forest an uncanny stillness that can disorient visitors, causing the outside world to feel very distant. But the beauty and serenity of the place mask a darker reputation that has drawn international attention — a reputation steeped in tragedy and the supernatural.
A Place of Despair
Aokigahara has become notorious as a site for suicides, earning it the grim moniker of “Suicide Forest.” It is said to be the world’s second most popular site for suicides, trailing only the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The forest’s association with suicide isn’t recent; it dates back centuries and is deeply entrenched in Japanese literature and mythology. However, it’s from the mid-20th century that the number of suicides in Aokigahara started to increase significantly.
Some attribute this rise to Seicho Matsumoto’s 1960 novel “Kuroi Jukai,” in which a heartbroken lover retreats to the forest to end her life. Although the book ends on a positive note, with the heroine choosing life, it’s believed to have influenced a number of suicides in the forest. The annual number of suicides in Aokigahara peaked at 105 in 2003, and while authorities have since stopped publicizing the numbers in an attempt to disassociate the forest from suicide, the reputation persists.
Ghosts of Aokigahara
Beyond its tragic modern reputation, Aokigahara is steeped in a rich tapestry of folklore and legend, some of which may contribute to its association with death. The forest is said to be haunted by yūrei, spirits akin to the ghosts in Western tradition. These spirits, according to Japanese mythology, are individuals who died in violent or sudden ways, and they are believed to torment the living. Stories of encounters with yūrei in Aokigahara abound, and many visitors report an overwhelming sense of sadness and unease while traversing its trails.
The belief in these spirits is so pervasive that many locals are reluctant to enter the forest, fearing they may be led astray by the yūrei or driven to take their own lives. The forest’s dense vegetation and magnetic anomalies — which can cause compasses to behave erratically — contribute to the sense of danger and mystery.
Aokigahara Today
Despite its somber reputation, efforts to shift public perception of Aokigahara Forest continue. Supported by local authorities and community groups, a range of strategies has been put in place to prevent suicide and offer support to those in crisis. Signs placed at the forest’s entrance and along key trails encourage visitors to reconsider their decisions, urging them to think of their families and call suicide prevention hotlines. Regular patrols still comb the area, but new technology is now part of the response.
In 2024, the Yamanashi regional government introduced drone patrols over the forest. Equipped with infrared sensors and communication systems, these drones are designed to detect individuals in distress more quickly, improving the chances of successful intervention. The initiative follows a troubling statistic: 215 deaths were recorded in Aokigahara in 2023, a stark reminder that the forest’s tragic legacy is far from over.
Alongside these efforts, authorities continue to promote Aokigahara’s natural beauty. The forest offers incredible biodiversity, serene walking paths, and stunning views of Mount Fuji. Tourist destinations like the Narusawa Ice Cave and Fugaku Wind Cave, both designated natural monuments, attract visitors eager to explore the area’s geological and cultural history.
While the forest’s eerie reputation continues to intrigue people around the world, the narrative is slowly evolving. More attention is being placed on Aokigahara’s ecological value and its potential as a place for quiet reflection and healing. It is becoming a space not just marked by sorrow, but also by resilience.
Today, Aokigahara remains a paradox—a landscape of striking beauty intertwined with deep emotional gravity. Its silence carries stories of loss and legend, yet within that stillness lies a growing message of hope, support, and renewal. The Sea of Trees endures, reminding us that even the darkest places can hold the potential for light.
Photo credit: ajari under CC BY 2.0 DEED license
