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Aokigahara Forest (Suicide Forest)
Japan's suicide forest. Hundreds end their lives here yearly. The dense trees block sound and light. Compasses fail. Yurei (ghosts) of the dead wander the paths. Tape and signs mark exit routes.
1950 - Present
Mount Fuji, Japan
10000+ witnesses
Aokigahara is where the living come to die.
The Forest
Mount Fuji base:
- 35 square km
- Dense vegetation
- Sound absorbed
- Light blocked
- Disorienting
The Deaths
Suicide destination:
- Hundreds per year
- Second only to Golden Gate
- Bodies found monthly
- Some never found
- Tragic pilgrimage
The Yurei
Japanese spirits:
- Trapped souls
- Cannot move on
- Wander paths
- Seek the living
- Follow visitors
Compass Failure
Magnetic anomalies:
- Iron deposits
- Compasses spin
- GPS fails
- Easy to lose way
- Intentional design?
Prevention Efforts
Signs posted:
- “Life is precious”
- Hotline numbers
- Volunteers patrol
- Tape marks paths
- Annual sweeps
The Atmosphere
Visitors report:
- Overwhelming dread
- Watched feeling
- Whispers heard
- Cold spots
- Urgent exit desire