Recently, I was on Youtube when a trailer for a new horror movie called “The Forest” played before my video. The storyline for the movie involved a sister going to Japan to a place called the “suicide forest” below Mount Fuji looking for her twin sister who had vacationed there but hadn’t return. As a horror movie fanatic, I was drawn in to finish watching the whole trailer where they then announced “Beneath Mount Fuji lies a real place called the Suicide Forest.” My interest peaked, I began reading up on this supposed “Suicide Forest” and this is what I found.
Otherwise known as Aokigahara or the Sea of Trees, the Suicide Forest does in fact exist. Sticking true to its name, the forest is infamous for the number of suicides that happen there each year. It’s believed that a Buddhist monk wandered into the forest with the plan of starving himself as a means of religious purification. Since then, the forest has become the second most popular place in the world to commit suicide, only surpassed by the Golden Gate bridge.
There are signs posted all throughout the forest baring the following warning. “Your life is a precious gift from your parents. Think about them and the rest of your family. You don’t have to suffer alone.” Park rangers wander the trails warning anyone they come across to go back to their cars, which lie in their own graveyard of abandoned cars of those who entered the forest never to be seen again. Employees at the closest shopping center have become so well attuned to picking out which guests are headed towards the Suicide Forest to kill themselves that they have begun working with police in an attempt to lower the forest’s suicide count.
The vast number of suicides that occur here is no surprise due to the high rate of suicide in Japanese men. Suicide is the leading cause of death in Japanese men between the ages of 20 and 44. In the United States, suicide is viewed very negatively and is considered a cowardly thing to do. However, in Japan, suicide is considered a noble way to end one’s life. This is due to Japan’s history of honorable suicide by the samurai and even kamikaze pilots during World War II.
As terrifying as the forest seems on its own, the remnants left behind by those who killed themselves remain in the forest and add to its eery factor. Those who commit suicide are known to leave a string or tape trail to their body, and so the whole forest is covered in a weaving of string leading to the hanging spots of different men. Abandoned tents, clothing, and even suicide notes can be found scattered throughout the forest and leave the reminder of the horrible things that have happened there.
There is a lot of legend that surrounds Japan’s Suicide Forest, which is to be expected from any place that produces over 100 bodies a year, not to count the hundreds more that likely go unfound. Are the legends merely a result of the high number of deaths that this forest experiences, or, could in fact the high number of suicides be a result of a more malicious presence?
For information about the legends surrounding the Suicide Forest, check out this link! http://www.tofugu.com/2012/07/23/aokigahara-japans-haunted-forest-of-death/
You captured my attention from the start with the relatable account of watching a Youtube video, and you held my attention throughout. I find the concept of a “Suicide Forest” eerie yet fascinating. I love that you explored the culture of Japan — where suicide has historically been considered noble — in relation to your topic. Great job!
I also really enjoy horror movies, so this one I have to see! I have never heard of this forest before, but Im glad I read your post! Good job:)
I remember seeing the trailer to this movie and I had no idea it’s based on something in Japan! Although this is really sad, I find it very intriguing and interesting because I didn’t imagine that a forest could be popular or easy for suicide. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I actually read up about this place before I saw the trailer for “The Forest.” It’s a sad place, especially since it is indeed a beautiful forest. Adding on the suicide statistic in Japan, life moves fast there. An adult life in Japan is solely surrounded by work. If something goes wrong in their career (let’s say they lose their job) then it’s like a part of them has just died. It’s sad, but it can lead to immense stress and high suicide rates. The post itself was very informative. I like how you included pictures to show us the eerie setting. I didn’t know about the string/tape trail that they leave, which adds to the creepy factor. It’s interesting how park rangers warn people to go back to their car and shopping center employees can tell when someone is headed to the forest to end their life.
I do not enjoy horror movies, and ones based off of true events or places freak me out even more. Although, this post is really interesting. I have also seen this trailer, but never had the courage to learn more about this forrest. I’m glad that i now know more about it. Great Post!
That horror movie sounds so ridiculous. She could’ve just googled the name of the place her sister went and then use context clues. Besides that, learning more about the actual forest was really cool! I didn’t know the different views of suicide in Japan, or that its the leading cause of death for a certain age range of men. Creepy of course that this place exists but truly intriguing.
I find this location really interesting, and it’s weird to think how different customs are in another country. For another country to have a place named because so many people take their own lives there it shows how much of a problem it is, as with the U.S and the Golden Gate bridge. I think it’s interesting too how the people who work nearly are teaming up with the police to help stop some of these people. It shows how people care that it is a problem and are willing to go out of their way to help.
Ally,
Let me first say that I love the theme and organization of this blog!
This was a very eerie post. I did not know that such a ‘suicide forest’ existed! Your writing was captivating, and it was pretty cool, albeit sad, to hear about this unfamiliar place.
Great post,
Steven
Wow this was really interesting. I too have seen trailers for “The Forest” and was intrigued, but never thought to look up the “suicide forest.” Glad I read this. Well done.