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The Ghostly Legend of Mount Fuji: Why is the History of Aokigahara So Shocking?
Aokigahara, commonly known as the Sea of Trees, is located on the northwest side of Mount Fuji on the island of Honshu, Japan. It covers an area of 30 square kilometers and was formed on the hard lava after the last major eruption of Mount Fuji in 864. This forest is known for its dense trees and sound-absorbing lava rocks, which give visitors a sense of solitude. However, behind this natural beauty, there are many creepy stories and histories hidden.
Geographical features of Aokigahara
The forest floor of Aokigahara is composed mainly of volcanic rocks, and features a number of designated trails that lead visitors to various tourist attractions such as the Narusawa Ice Cave, Fugaku Wind Cave, and the Saiko Bat Cave. These caves are frozen all year round and are a popular tourist destination in winter.
Aokigahara has been described as a place where navigational compasses would fail, as the natural magnetism of the rock caused the needle to sometimes point in the wrong direction.
Ecological treasure
Aokigahara has a lush temperate ecosystem with a variety of native plants and animals. Animals that can be seen include the Asiatic black bear, the giant horseshoe bat, and the Japanese sika deer. As for birds, there are various finches and woodpeckers.
The forest not only combines a variety of plant species, but also serves as a habitat for insects and other invertebrates, demonstrating its biodiversity.
Myths of suicide
Aokigahara is often referred to as Japan's most popular suicide site. The number of suicides has remained high since the early 2000s. In 2003, police found 105 bodies in the forest, and the number changes every year, with a particular peak in March.
Cultural influencesLocal signs urge visitors to seek help, think about family members and not make suicidal decisions.
Aokigahara's reputation as a suicide hotspot has featured in a variety of media, including the film "The Sea of Trees" and the 2016 horror film "The Forest." In addition, Aokigahara has also become a hot topic among YouTubers, and a well-known blogger was widely condemned for filming a suicide in a video.
Aokigahara's fame is not limited to the tragedy. It has also attracted some artists and poets, who have created poetry collections based on this theme to convey its connotation and symbolic meaning to the public.
The supernatural legend of Aokigahara
Historically, Aokigahara has also been associated with the ghosts in Japanese mythology, "yūrei". These stories tell of the spirits that linger in the forest, abandoned in the past. These legends make Aokigahara not only the final resting place for suicide victims, but also a magnet for adventurers who are into the supernatural.
Closing Thoughts
As Aokigahara is mentioned more and more frequently in society, could this forest become a place of deeper exploration, allowing people to reflect on the meaning of life and death?
