Have you ever heard of a place chosen for practicing superstition or voluntarily ending one’s own life?
Through this blog, you will learn about such a place. Aokigahara is known as the ‘Sea of Trees’ too. This heavy forest is situated at the base of Mount Fuji, Japan. The specialty of this forest is its wilderness and haunting atmosphere. However, this forest is not only famous for its beauty but has also gained fame for the tragic dark events that have made it one of the most mysterious historical places on Earth.
A Forest Shrouded in Silence
This forest is almost 35 square kilometers and is renowned for its ghostly atmosphere. The wind is usually blocked by the thick canopies of the trees. As its ground is covered with volcanic rock, it’s hard to hear footsteps. Aokigahara has spiritual significance as well. There is a superstition in Japanese culture that this place is haunted by angry spirits who killed themselves for unknown reasons. It is still a mystery to the world why so many people choose this place to commit suicide, even in moder times.
In Aokigahara’s history, this forest used to be the practice ground for euthanasia. It is an ancient form of suicide, committed by people who were mostly elderly or seriously ill patients. This kind of wild practice of death made this forest haunted to people, and this mark on the forest’s history is truly indelible.
The Tragic Legacy
This forest gained a dark reputation, as even in this modern era, it’s still on the list of the most common suicide points in the world. Reports say people, most of them with deep emotional distress, entered the forest and ended their lives. Aokigahara is cited as the “Suicide Forest“, as it has witnessed a high number of suicide cases.
More than 105 bodies are found in this forest every year. After the Golden Gate Bridge, this forest holds the second highest place for the unbelievable number of suicide cases. Also, there is a suicidal month in Japan, which is March, when the fiscal year ends.
But not everyone goes there with the intention of suicide. Many individuals choose to travel there to find peace in the silence and just to take a break from the hardships of life. Its mysterious nature has this power to make people feel safe and refresh their minds. However, many people explore the area to feel the connection with the dead spirits. It’s a place where people go to get relief from psychological stress and inner struggles.
Efforts to Curb the Tragedy
Both the Japanese government and local authorities are trying to decrease the number of suicide cases in Aokigahara Forest. There are many signs placed there for people, urging them to reconsider their decisions and give another chance to their lives. Many motivational messages and suicide prevention hotline numbers are written on those signs.
A number of volunteers visit the forest regularly to search for distressed souls and help them get mental support to regain trust in a better life. Despite putting in all the efforts, this site remains the place where silence screams to reach the world and send the message about how so many people are struggling to get rid of mental stress and emotional pain, trying to escape from the cruelty of life.
A Place of Reflection and Renewal
Aokigahara Forest is undoubtedly the holder of serenity and beauty. It’s full of a rich ecosystem, and rare kinds of plant species can also be found there. Streams and rocks covered with moss add an extra feature to its beauty. Visitors or tourists often travel to Japan and visit there to appreciate the beauty of nature in the forest. Aokigahara’s mesmerizing natural beauty has been hushed up under its dark, haunting history.
Many people visit there to take a relief break from life and gain the mental energy to restart life again. This forest’s silence screams to remind the world about how important it is to be kind to others’ emotions. How important it is to maintain communication, be supportive, and empathetic to each other so that no one makes a life-ending decision while living in silence. Aokigahara Forest acts as a reminder of the importance of boosting awareness of mental health.
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Writer,
Humyara Yeasmin
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE.