Japan is famous for its beautiful landscapes, technology and gastronomy, but it is also one of the countries with the highest suicide rate. In 2022 alone, 21,584 suicides were recorded, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), and some of these happened in Aokigahara or Jukai, also called the “cursed” forest or the “suicide” forest.
Why do they call it the “suicide” forest?
Aokigahara Forest has been associated with demons in Japanese mythology for many years, and some poems claim it is “cursed.” Some locals believe that it is”haunted” and that the entities that inhabit it do everything to make its visitors enter, get lost, and take their own lives.
It has become popular worldwide in recent years because many Japanese decide to commit suicide in this place. For this reason, tourism has been limited, and they can only access guarded areas.
Although it is not forbidden to enter the forest, the authorities have placed warning signs in several languages so that people who plan to commit suicide will think twice. There is also a telephone number to call for help in case you need it since it is very easy to get lost and there is no GPS signal. Visitors are advised to use threads or stamps to guide them back the way they came.
What is the origin of Aokigahara?
According to Youtuber Japan Jordi, the forest arose due to an eruption of Mount Fuji that lasted about 10 days and left rivers of lava. Over time, these gave life to the lush and long trees that are currently in Aokigahara, which prevent the passage of air and noise. The site’s ground is covered with iron, which prevents cell phone signals from reaching the ground.
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Logan Paul was there and found a dead body. The media went crazy at that time. Here are a few minutes from Joe Rogan’s podcast:
Another peculiarity of this place is that despite its extensive vegetation, it is an uninhabitable space for animals, so the only living beings that exist are spiders and some insects.
Where is the forest located?
The forest is located at the base of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Province, about a hundred kilometers from Tokyo, Japan. Although it is famous because many Japanese decide to take their own lives, many tourists visit the place for its beautiful trees and scenery.
Aokigahara has inspired novels, manuals, and even movies, while the Japanese authorities have gone to great lengths to combat the suicides that occur, especially in this place.
