The Suicide Forest: All about the creepiest place on earth
The Forest
Aokigarah or better known by its nickname, 'The Suicide Forest', is located in Japan, particularly in Northwest Japan near Mount Fuji. Most of the forest floor is covered by volcanic rock due to previous eruptions of Mount Fuji. There are 3 caves located near Mount Fuji which can be accessed through the forest. These are popular tourist destinations especially the Ice Cave, located on the West side of the forest, which is completely frozen year round.
The Creep Factor
The forest is covered with porous rocks. These absorb most of the sound and give a sense of solitude to visitors. Compasses also do not work in this forest due to the rocks, so getting lost is a lot easier.
The creepiest fact about the forest is the origin of its nickname, 'The Suicide Forest'. The forest has a reputation as the home of 'yurei', which means ghost of the dead in Japanese mythology. This forest also has an association with suicide, which gave it said nickname. This nickname also made it the most popular suicide site in the world. Hundreds of bodies are found each year in the forest. This has led to there being signs placed trying to convince the people wandering the forest to stray from the idea of suicide and ask for them to get help.
Facts and Myths to give you Goosebumps
Suicide Rates in Japan: The suicide rates in Japan are higher than any other country in the world, with over 2500 suicides recorded back in 2010. Japans' history with suicide is also complicated. It was never seen as bad as death. Suicide was more-so seen as a honorable act. According to a study, mental health problems are what cause these high suicide rates.
The signs in the Suicide forest: "Think about your children" "What about your family"
These are signs in the forest to deter people. These are eerie and most of these signs seem clawed and bloody which is a scary image to think about.
The Supernatural: People say there is a force which calls them towards the forest. In Japanese mythology, it is called the house of 'yurei'. Folklore also claims that these spirits are vengeful and torment those who wander off the path.
The natural eeriness: The trees in the forests naturally twist and turn and wherever you look is the same dense forest. Due to absorption of sound, the natural silence makes the eeriness rise a lot. An account from a woman states, that the silence felt like it was drowning her, and the slightest of sounds such as her own breath sounded like a roar. Due to compasses not functioning, it is really easy to get lost in the forest.
You cannot call for help: Tape is spread throughout the forest as a way to find yourself back to the exit. If you were to ever get lost you could not call for help due to the absorption of sound around you. Not only can anyone else hear your cries, you cannot also not hear the sound of animals around you. Black bears and wolves are very populated and I doubt you want a bear to jump on you before you even hear or see it.
You might find some 'friends': Many people camp in the forest to think about their choices and you might be wandering into people who would rather not have you there. Seeing dead bodies is also never a pretty sight and you might also be jumped by a dead body falling from a tree which has happened in the past as seen in one of the thousands of sinister and ghastly videos of this forest on the internet.
