It wasn’t until I got to the base of the Mt. Fuji and was getting ready for our tromp through the forest to the ice cave that I found out from my companions that our tromp would be through the Aokigahara, which I also found out at that point was famed for frequent suicides.
Needless to say, we didn’t find a body, but there were abandoned cars and motorcycles here and there in the parking lot and a little into the forest. Also, there were signs that discouraged suicide complete with suicide hotlines people can call.
I didn’t freak out over the fact that we were walking into a forest with possible dead bodies, just became a little apprehensive. The forest itself is actually quite beautiful and peaceful, as you can see in the pictures here. I suppose if I were looking for a last resting place, this would be quite a lovely last sight to see. But I can see how the forest can come off as a bit creepy. I think the thing that eased my mind was that it really reminded me a lot of the forest in Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke, the one that was filled with all sorts of spirits. If it weren’t for all the potential dead bodies, I’d say it’s quite a lovely place to have a picnic or to camp out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7T4PS3hxJE
Next up, ice caves at the foot of Mt. Fuji in the Aokigahara Suicide Forest.
