They come here never to leave again.
For centuries they have come to the Sea of Trees. What drives them here, and why do they wish to die? Located on the bottom of Mt. Fuji is a haunting forest. While from a standpoint it is quite breathtaking and almost serene, within these velvety trees is a sinister evil.
No one knows how many have died here through the centuries. But during the year of 2002, nearly 100 people committed suicide. So many have died here in fact, that yearly body hunts are conducted to sift through remains that are found in order to give them a proper burial. The Japanese fear that if the dead remain at unrest, then their yurei, or restless souls, will come to haunt the living.
While signs are posted throughout the forest to prevent people from wanting to do the unthinkable, it is still done. Body hunters have found scattered remnants of human bones; bones that have been dragged and torn apart by animals. Decomposed bodies have been found in trees, only to have to be brought down. Some people who wander in, leave a trail of tape behind them, so as not to get lost. They believe that the dead spirits mess with their compasses and try to confuse them. Tape litters some areas of the forest because of this.
Even in the past, many were brought here to die. Those that could not care for their elderly or sick, brought them here and left them deep in the woods. One could only imagine how horrifying and agonizing death could be. A book written by Wataru Tsurumui, The Complete Manual of Suicide, discusses how the forest is a great place to come and die. Morbid? Yes.
The only other place notoriusly known for its high suicide rate is the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Many Japanese are exasperated by the high suicide rate, and for Aokigahara being known as the forest of the dead. Because of such deaths, the souls of the departed still longer, with no hope of finding their way out.
Image via Wikipedia
Many have claimed that the trees almost have an oppressive state to them, as if they want to envelop you. Some have heard whispers, cackles, and groans. Mysts materialize and vanish. Hands can be felt as well as cold breezes on a warm and balmy summer day. Others have felt slaps on their faces, or have been told to get out.
A close friend who visited the forest in 1997 once told me, that he felt as if he was being followed. He felt such a state of panic that he began to run, though no one was behind him. He didn’t know if it was the fear that compelled him to run, but he felt that had he not gotten out of the forest, then some harm would come to him. Other people have also reported that its as if the forest does not want you to leave, and almost beckons you to come and join the souls of the damned. Whatever the story may be, one almost has to have nerves of steel and be brave enough to enter.
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