The Mysterious Aokigahara Forest

The Mysterious Aokigahara Forest


June 13, 2025 | Allison Robertson

The Mysterious Aokigahara Forest


Between The Shadows

Known as the “Sea of Trees,” Aokigahara Forest’s dense foliage hides more than just nature’s secrets—it carries a chilling and unsettling reputation that lingers in its shadows.

Aokigahara Msn

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Location

The Aokigahara Forest is located northwest of Mount Fuji, on the island of Honshu in Japan.

Mount Fuji with cherry blossomAeypix, Shutterstock

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Size

It spans across 13.5 square miles of thick forest, with several trails leading to caves and lakes. Though not very big, it feels larger, and more remote than it actually is due to its rugged terrain.

The rugged terrain and thick forest are what makes it appealing to people with a specific, dark goal in mind.

Tunnel trail at Aokigahara Forest in JapanSean Pavone, Shutterstock

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Reputation

Many visitors have chosen the Aokigahara Forest as the setting for their final moments, walking into the deepest parts of the forest with no intentions on coming back out.

This happens more than anyone would like to admit.

The Aokigahara forestFarid Ayvazov, Shutterstock

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Loss of Life

Intentional losses of life happen so often in the Aokigahara Forest that the area now has the second-highest rate of people ending their own lives, after the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Aokigahara Forest. Mysterious forest in the Japanese Mount Fuji regionMarvin Minder, Shutterstock

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Statistics

Each year, an estimated 30 to 100 souls vanish in Aokigahara Forest, though recent figures are kept secret—fearing that revealing the truth might invite even more tragedy.

Mysterious forest of AokigaharaAberu.Go, Shutterstock

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Traditional Japanese Rituals

Self-inflicted loss doesn’t have the same stigma in Japan that it does in other areas of the world. The practice of seppuku is an honorable way to take your own life, and it dates back to Japan’s feudal era.

Although it is not widely practiced today, Japan still struggles with a high rate of loss.

Japanese Samurai armorsSuzan.P, Shutterstock

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Japan’s Statistics

Japan experienced a financial crisis in 2008 that lead to a significant increase in people taking their own lives. And while numbers changed over the years, the numbers have been recently rising.

The forest of AokigaharaSoul of Phoenix, Shutterstock

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2022 Statistics

In 2022, the self-inflicted loss of life rates increased by 2.7 percent, making it one of the leading causes of loss for men between the ages of 20-44, and women between the ages of 15-34.

Aokigahara forestdowraik, Shutterstock

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The Government’s Intervention

In 2017, the Japanese government pledged to cut intentional deaths by 30% over ten years, beginning their efforts specifically in the infamous Aokigahara Forest.

Aokigahara Forestb-hide the scene, Shutterstock

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Safety Measures

In hopes of preventing further loss, the government has now posted security cameras at the forest’s entrance, increasing patrol in the area, and posting various signs throughout the forest with specific messages.

Aokigahara Forest entranceLiz Mc, CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons

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Safety Signs

Some of the safety signs along forest trails read things like: “Think carefully about your children, your family,” and “Your life is a precious gift from your parents.”

But there’s one thing they can’t change in the forest that would help if they could.

Aokigahara (suicide forest)Liz Mc, Flickr

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The Heights

According to Mental Floss, the second most common method of taking your own life in Japan is by hanging. So much so that the government has actually increased the height of certain bridge railings to curb further attempts.

But this can’t be done in the Aokigahara forest. So, what is it about this forest that makes people want to do this?

Aokigahara Forest in JapanBig Ben, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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A Spooky Setting

The forest is filled with creepy looking trees that twist and turn and have roots sticking up out of the ground along trails. The ground is uneven, rocky, and filled with caves.

All of this contributes to what makes this forest specifically preferred by those looking to end their lives.

Aokigahara Forest in Japantsuchi, Shutterstock

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A Difficult Discovery

Beyond the dense tree lines and sparse wildlife, this place is thought to be chosen because bodies are hard to find and recover. But there’s a deeper, darker reason, too.

Aokigahara suicide forest in Tokyo, Japanshu2260, Shutterstock

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A Grim History

For many years, the Japanese culture have believed the forest to contain yūrei—mythological Japanese ghosts filled with anger and vengefulness.

This belief has led to several intriguing reports from visitors

Yurei japan culture ghostBrigham Young University, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Strange Phenomena

Some visitors have reported strange phenomena, like compasses breaking, as well as GPS devices and smartphones no longer working while within the boundaries of the forest.

There is also another possible connection to the forest that stems from traditional Japanese culture.

Aokigahara forestmokokomo, Shutterstock

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The Practice of Ubasute

It’s possible that this practice is nothing more than a product of folklore, but either way, it adds an interesting perspective.

Ubasute was an apparent practice in Japan that occurred during times of famine.

UbasuteYoshitoshi, Wikimedia Commons

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Ubasute Explained

Roughly meaning “abandoning an old woman,” ubasute was an ancient practice of leaving elders to perish in remote places. With such haunting traditions woven into its past, it’s no wonder the forest is steeped in eerie legends.

Aokigahara forestSoul of Phoenix, Shutterstock

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A Haunted Forest

It is now believed that the spirits of those who have taken their own lives within the Aokigahara forest still linger in the woods.

Folklore claims they are vengeful, dedicated to tormenting visitors and luring those who are sad and lost off the paths.

the aokigahara forestkt-wat, Shutterstock

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Annual Searches

Annual searches for the lost have been held in Aokigahara since 1970. Volunteers patrol the area and recover the remains.

Authorities and volunteers trek through the challenging terrain and personally carry the bodies out to be properly buried.

Aokigahara Forest in JapanTupungato, Shutterstock

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Search Recoveries

In the early 2000s, 70 to 100 people’s remains were uncovered each year.

As mentioned before, the Japanese government no longer publicizes this information—especially amid controversies surrounding the forest.

aokigahara forestThomas van Dijk, Shutterstock

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Controversy

In 2017, American YouTuber Logan Paul shared a controversial video of his experience in the Aokigahara forest, where he recorded himself and his friends as they walked through the forest, and discovered a lifeless body.

Logan Paul at the Teen Choice Awards 2017Kathy Hutchins, Shutterstock

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Logan Paul’s Video

Logan Paul and his friends were stunned to find a body hanging from a tree in Aokigahara Forest. But the millions of views that followed brought far more controversy than fame.

Two men film videos in forestbodnar.photo, Shutterstock

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Paul’s Apology

Logan Paul’s video reached millions of people within a short time frame, and it also attracted thousands of disapproving comments.

Paul formally apologized days later, and since then, people all over the globe are pleading for change.

Logan Paul at the Audi Pre-Emmy PartyKathy Hutchins, Shutterstock

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Pleading for Change

Many people want the forest to be closed off the to public—however that is not as easily done as they may think.

It is also a very popular hiking spot for many visitors who do not have the same dark goal in mind as many people before them.

Aokigahara (The Suicide Forest)dowraik, Shutterstock

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The Government’s Acknowledgment

The Japanese government acknowledge the controversy, and continue to implement efforts to make it a safer place for all.

But—if we’re honest, the dark history makes the forest more appealing.

Aokigahara (suicide forest)Liz Mc, Flickr

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Tourism

Today, visitors can explore the forest on their own or join guided tours for a safer journey. Cave tours remain the most popular—but the forest holds secrets far beyond its tragic past.

Cave in Aokigahara Jukai forestShawn.ccf, Shutterstock

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Beauty

Many visitors have reported that the Aokigahara forest is actually quite stunning inside.

Although it is eerily quiet as the wind doesn’t often make it inside the trees, the shades of green with the sun peering through the tops of the trees is a beautiful sight to see.

Aokigahara forestKKKvintage, Shutterstock

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Final Thoughts

Although the Aokigahara forest is known for something terrible and sad, it is actually one of the most beautiful forests on this Earth and deserves recognition for something positive.

Aokigahara ForestMarvin Minder, Shutterstock

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Sources: 1, 2, 3


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