15 Chilling Truths About Japan’s Aokigahara, the Notorious Suicide Forest

Located northwest of the iconic Mount Fuji, Aokigahara spans 1 square miles of dense woodland, earning its nickname as the 'sea of trees.' This eerie forest has become a tragic destination for countless individuals who enter with no plans to return, making it the second-most frequented site for suicides globally, surpassed only by San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

Historically, Aokigahara was thought to be inhabited by yūrei, vengeful spirits from Japanese folklore. Its macabre reputation made it an ideal setting for the 2016 horror film The Forest. Discover more lesser-known details about Japan’s infamous 'suicide forest.'

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1. Aokigahara is globally infamous as a destination for those seeking to end their lives.

The exact number of suicides in Aokigahara is difficult to determine due to the forest's dense foliage, which can conceal bodies for years or even indefinitely. Estimates suggest that between 30 and 100 individuals annually choose this location for their final act. However, some reports indicate that recent data is unavailable, as the Japanese government has ceased publishing statistics to discourage further suicides.

2. Ritual suicide has deep roots in Japanese culture.

In Japan, suicide does not carry the same negative connotations as in many other nations. The ancient practice of seppuku, a form of honorable suicide performed by samurai, originated during Japan’s feudal period. Although no longer common, remnants of this tradition persist, with suicide still seen as a means of accepting responsibility. Yoshinori Cho, author of Why do People Commit Suicide? and former head of the psychiatry department at Teikyo University in Kawasaki, explained to the Japan Times in 2011 that this cultural perspective continues to influence modern attitudes.

3. Japan experiences a notably high rate of suicide.

The 2008 global financial crisis and subsequent economic turmoil led to a 15 percent surge in suicides across Japan. The peak occurred in March 2009, coinciding with the end of the fiscal year. Although suicide rates declined by 0.4 percent in 2021 compared to the previous year, rates among women and younger individuals remained alarmingly high. By 2022, suicide rates rose by 2.7 percent, establishing it as one of the primary causes of death for men aged 20 to 44 and women aged 15 to 34.

4. The Japanese government implemented measures to prevent suicides in Aokigahara.

In 2017, the Japanese government unveiled a strategy to cut suicide rates by 30 percent within a decade, aiming to reduce the rate from 18.5 per 100,000 people in 2015 to 13 per 100,000 people by 2025.

As part of these efforts, security cameras were installed at Aokigahara’s entrances, and patrols were intensified. Suicide prevention counselors and police have also placed signs along the forest trails with messages such as, 'Consider your children and family carefully.' Another sign states, 'Your life is a precious gift from your parents.'

5. Aokigahara has an inherently eerie atmosphere.

The trees in the forest naturally grow in twisted, contorted shapes, with roots snaking across the ground in hazardous patterns. Situated at the foot of a mountain, the terrain is rugged, rocky, and dotted with numerous caves. What’s more unsettling than the challenging landscape is the profound silence; the dense tree cover prevents wind from passing through, and wildlife is scarce. Some visitors have also experienced unusual occurrences, such as malfunctioning compasses and GPS or smartphone devices ceasing to function (though others have reported no issues with their gadgets).

6. Hanging is the most common method of suicide in Japan.

A 2004 study revealed that the second most frequent method is jumping from elevated locations. To deter such attempts, the government has raised the height of bridge railings and implemented other preventive measures in Aokigahara.

7. Aokigahara gained notoriety as a suicide site through bestselling books.

Seichō Matsumoto’s acclaimed 1960 mystery novel Tower of Waves depicted a character who meets their end in the forest. Similarly, Wataru Tsurumi’s contentious 1993 book, The Complete Manual of Suicide, described Aokigahara as 'the ideal place to die.' Copies of this manual have been discovered among the belongings of some forest visitors.

8. The legend of the suicide forest may be tied to the practice of ubasute.

Ubasute, a term roughly meaning 'abandoning an elderly woman,' refers to a form of euthanasia. This practice, allegedly used in Japan during periods of famine, involved families reducing the number of dependents by taking an elderly relative to a remote area, such as a mountain, to perish from dehydration, starvation, or exposure. While many argue that ubasute was never an actual tradition but rather a myth, it is often linked to the lore surrounding the suicide forest.

9. The suicide forest is rumored to be haunted.

Some claim that the spirits—or yūrei—of those abandoned through ubasute, as well as the anguished souls of those who ended their own lives, still roam the forest. According to legend, these vengeful spirits are said to harass visitors and entice the sorrowful and disoriented to stray from the paths.

10. Since 1970, annual searches for the deceased have been conducted in Aokigahara.

Volunteers and police comb through the forest to locate and retrieve the remains of those who have died. These teams navigate the dense woodland to ensure the deceased receive a proper burial. In the early 2000s, between 70 and 100 bodies were discovered annually. However, in recent years, the Japanese government has chosen not to disclose the number of bodies recovered, particularly following controversies such as the 2017 incident involving YouTuber Logan Paul’s divisive video about his visit to Aokigahara.

11. Carrying a tent into Aokigahara may raise suspicions.

While camping is permitted in the area, authorities view those who bring tents as potential suicide risks, especially if they plan to stay for extended periods. Suicide prevention patrols often engage with campers, offering support and urging them to reconsider and leave the forest.

12. The forest’s dense tree cover often leads visitors to use tape to mark their paths.

Volunteers searching for bodies or individuals at risk of suicide often use plastic ribbons or tape tied to trees to navigate. This low-tech solution helps prevent searchers from losing their way once they venture off the main trails.

13. In Aokigahara, calling for help might be impossible.

The forest’s soil contains high levels of magnetic iron, which can interfere with cell phone signals, GPS devices, and compasses. If you become lost, you may find yourself unable to call for assistance, making the use of simple tools like plastic tape essential.

14. Not all who visit the suicide forest come with intentions of ending their lives.

Local residents regret the deadly reputation that has overshadowed the forest’s tranquility. Many visitors come to enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and explore natural wonders such as the unique lava plateau, ancient trees over 300 years old, and the mesmerizing Narusawa Ice Cave.

15. Staying on the path is crucial when visiting the suicide forest.

The internet is filled with unsettling visuals from the suicide forest, ranging from discarded belongings hidden in the foliage to skeletal remains. Should you choose to explore this infamous location, heed the warnings on the signs and remain on the designated trail.