Japan's Suicide Forest (Warning-Graphic Images)

When I hear Japan, I think of cutting edge robotic technology as well as ancient mysticism. Japan is home to the feudal system, samurai, Bushido, and repressed desires. Mount Fuji serves as a symbol of the tiny island's majesty. However Mount Fuji also marks one of the world's darkest, creepiest places. On its north western basin lay the Aokigahara Forest (Sea of Trees). The forest comprises of volcanic rock, caverns, and a sea of trees (hence its name), spirits, and demons according to the local lore. The locals knew the forest to be an end to many a wary soul who gave up on life. The rest of the island learned of its sinister reputation in 1960 when Seicho Matsumoto wrote Nami no To (Tower of Waves). In the novel two lovers commit suicide in the forest and since then Aokigahara became known as the end road for the hopeless. The record year for suicides was 2004 when 108 hopeless souls ended their misery. The Japanese government quit publicizing the suicide rates hoping to discourage people from going into the woods to kill themselves. In 2010, 58 people ended their lives as 247 attempted it. The forest entrances are littered with signs discouraging people from going through with it. Despite this, there will always be people who have given up hope and somehow have romanticized the idea of their corpse becoming part of the forest landscape until the periodic body round up conducted by the authorities.