The suicide forest also known as “AOKIGAHARA JUKAI FOREST” in native Japanese; translating to ‘The Sea of Forest’ is a beautiful forest in North of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi prefecture, situated at the base of the iconic mountain with a tragic history.
Aokigahara is popular for committing suicides in japan. It is the world’s 2nd popular place to commit suicide. Repeated numbers of bodies are found every year. It is called the “perfect place to die”. Since 1950s, the discovery of bodies were found and number of increasing rates went higher every single year. In 2003, 105 bodies were found hanging through exceeding 2002s record of 78 suicides. In 2010, over 200 people have attempted suicides.
The global financial crisis of 2008 made worse impact, and around 2,645 people have committed suicide in January 2009. The numbers of suicides reached at peak by the end of the financial year. By seeing this, the executive director of suicide hotline decided to put up surveillance cameras, police, counsellors and patrols. Suicide counsellors and police have put up messages like ‘Think carefully about your children, your family”.
According to Japanese mythology and spiritualists, Aokigahara is considered as haunted by the souls of the abandoned people during the famine who died horrible death. These ghastly spirits glide between the trees with their white, shifting forms being occasionally spotted by the visitors. Japanese believe the paranormal activities prevent people from escaping the depths of the creepy forest. Many Researchers, youtubers have went there and they have actually seen bodies hanging. But no wonder why people goes to only that place to commit suicide. And the entrance of the forest gate does itself says “your life is precious gift from your parents”, and “please consult the police before you decide to die’’. Death by hanging is the most popular method of suicide amongst the sea of trees but the second is said to be poisoning, or drug overdose. Legend says those who enter in this forest, they never return and many of the hikers have lost their ways. Maybe it’s because of the demons or maybe it’s because of the forest, it is so dense that any human can get lost in it, the brain gets distorted and its very difficult to keep the direction at that time. Many people also took tent inside the forest, they camp for 2-3 days, confused about their decision. So, the counselors come and visits the people to change their mind.
An immense sadness permeates the woods, that are marked with colored tape or string to help guide those who decides to depart the forest without harming themselves. The woods are full of signs urging those considering to commit suicide to change their minds that- they are loved and they have so much more to do. Also, the local people of japan suggested that if you enter the forest you may become the prey of YUREI (ghost-like spirit) of others who have died there. Legends have said that before getting the name as suicide forest, the forest was once used for the practice of UBASUTE, a custom in which families would leave their elderly or infirm relatives to die of starvation or exposure, as sort of euthanasia.
There are two movies based on this forest “The Forest” and “Sea of Trees”.
Even though, it is not clear, why this phenomenon occurs, but people visiting this place are urged to remain cautious during their stay. “Life”, is indeed a beautiful gift and one must think before they act upon such rash decisions, which not only impacts them, but changes the lives of all around them.
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