What do you think?
Rate this book
Suicide Forest: The Mystery of Aokigahara
At the base of Mount Fuji lies a location with such a dark history that many people consider it too forbidden a topic to discuss. For over 70 years, Aokigahara, Japan has been a source of mystery for both investigators and paranormal researchers. This beautiful stretch of unkempt woodland, while maintaining the illusion of beauty, harbours a secret which few people are willing to acknowledge.
Aokigahara, known to many as the Sea of Trees, is the suicide capital of Japan. Every year, hundreds of people visit the forest with no intention of ever leaving. People who no longer wish to be a part of this world find solace in the isolation of Aokigahara, and willingly take their own lives against its backdrop of chaotic forestry.
However, the legend of Aokigahara goes a lot further that simply being alluring scenery for suicide. Its lore is rooted in ancient legend, literature and a historical association with death. Its impact on Japanese culture has been so prominent that Japanese officials rarely acknowledge the forest’s existence in an effort to disassociate it from its macabre infamy. But despite this, Aokigahara’s prominence in not just Japanese culture, but world over, cannot be understated.
Aokigahara, known to many as the Sea of Trees, is the suicide capital of Japan. Every year, hundreds of people visit the forest with no intention of ever leaving. People who no longer wish to be a part of this world find solace in the isolation of Aokigahara, and willingly take their own lives against its backdrop of chaotic forestry.
However, the legend of Aokigahara goes a lot further that simply being alluring scenery for suicide. Its lore is rooted in ancient legend, literature and a historical association with death. Its impact on Japanese culture has been so prominent that Japanese officials rarely acknowledge the forest’s existence in an effort to disassociate it from its macabre infamy. But despite this, Aokigahara’s prominence in not just Japanese culture, but world over, cannot be understated.
- GenresNonfictionJapan
139 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 2, 2020
An extremely short and quick read but still very insightful. It delves briefly into the history of the forest along with some personal accounts and other stories related to various occurrences within Aokigahara. Besides the creepy tales, it was interesting to have a little more insight into Japanese lifestyle and how they view suicide and the pressures of life.
Like I said, it’s a brief read which was ok with me since I wouldn’t want to read too much of this stuff anyway, as interesting as it may be. Also, be warned there’s quite a few typos and grammatical errors as well as no numbered pages.
Like I said, it’s a brief read which was ok with me since I wouldn’t want to read too much of this stuff anyway, as interesting as it may be. Also, be warned there’s quite a few typos and grammatical errors as well as no numbered pages.
January 11, 2018
This book is informative about The Black Forest and various tales surrounding it. My only complaint is that the book has plenty of typos, which become distracting.
April 16, 2021
I've always been fascinated by the myths and facts of Aokigahara. This is a small, but informative book that gives you some history, as well as, legends and true stories pertaining to The Suicide Forest. A nice, quick read if you wanna dive into some spooky truths.
May 25, 2023
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬
This book is about the well-known Japanese Forest Aokigahara A.K.A "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭" or it is also known by various other names but one that is common in Japan in "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬"
Historically & in modern times this Japanese Forest has been/is associated with death, suicide.
In my opinion, at least in modern times I believe that Yurei, Onryo or Yokai are influencing & luring people that are depressed, suicidal, vulnerable spiritually to the forest, where they can never find their way out due to the unusually high level of magnetic activity that affects the use of a compass.
Aokigahara Forest is at the base of Mount Fuji, a volcano in Japan, so this would explain, the terrain of the forest, why it is difficult to traverse, it might also explain the lack of any wildlife, or sounds of wildlife, it has a otherworldly, deathly silence to it, which gives the forest a creepy, atmosphere and vibe.
Historically the Japanese people, were unfortunately unable to afford to take care of their elderly relatives so they lead them out to Aokigahara Forest to fend for themselves, but they obviously sadly died there.
In modern times Aokigahara has gained a lot of controversial and negative attention due to a very disturbing event involving a Youtuber that went to Aokigahara Forest he disrespected, and made fun of a poor Japanese man that had committed suicide in the forest.
I will never understand why some people have absolutely no respect for the dead, especially for anyone that has committed suicide, it is absolutely disgusting.
People should be ashamed of themselves, what is wrong with people?
It was disrespectful to the man that had committed suicide, disrespectful to his family and disrespectful of Japan, Japanese people & their culture, beliefs.
It's sad to me that the concept Shinju (suicide pacts) exists in Japan but at the same time it is not the same as Seppuku (ritualistic suicide) of the Samurai, when they were caught by a rival Shogun, the enemy so they commit Seppuku to avoid being tortured and murdered by the enemy.
So historically Seppuku is a honourable ritualistic suicide & self-sacrifice to show respect and Shinju (suicide pacts) is considered to be impulsive, reckless type of suicide.
Japan is the only country that has a respectful view of suicide, self-sacrifice, ritualistic suicide and it's sad to me that Japanese people remove themselves from society, to go to Aokigahara Forest to commit suicide due to financial issues and loneliness.
Seppuku & Shinju are not the same though, Shinju is not a self-sacrifice type of accepted ritualistic suicide for the greater good in the same way that Seppuku is.
Seppuku is a dignified self-sacrifice/ritualistic suicide and Shinju is more impulsive, reckless and seems like attention seeking type of behaviour in my opinion for a minority of people that are lonely, suicidal but they don't want to die alone so that's why they make the suicide pact with a group of like-minded people.
I respect anyone's decision to live and die on their on terms, I think it takes a lot of courage to commit suicide, to sacrifice yourself on your terms.
I hate the fact that it is sometimes viewed as a cowardly, or selfish act when most people don't understand the pain, trauma, suffering the person was going through in their lives, they want relief from their pain, which is sad to me, but also understandable.
A lot more people should take that into consideration, and treat the person with respect, treat their choice to commit suicide with respect, even if you don't understand their reasons or motivation to commit suicide.
I have always believed that Aokigahara forest has a spiritual, paranormal, occult/witchcraft related otherworldly atmosphere, vibe and energy, so it's interesting that people have seen/heard spirits talking to them, the spirits lured them to the forest where they feel compelled to commit suicide and join the dead.
The story about the man seeing a Shinigami (death god) holding his wife's head was creepy to read. It makes sense why various people have seen Shinigami at the forest, since it is a place of the dead and associated with death, suicide, but due to my interest in true crime I would consider that maybe some of the people that committed suicide were actually potentially murdered and their death was made to look like suicide, since that is a possibility.
There was at least one story about a man that murdered a person and left them in the forest. I think the forest has a negative influence on people, whether you have suicidal or murderous intentions or not, a lot of people are lured to the forest and feel inexplicably compelled to commit suicide.
I believe that Yurei, Onryo, Yokai are luring people to the forest and, the spirits of the elderly people or of people that committed suicide are influencing & compelling people to commit suicide.
I think there is a portal, vortex there, and the combined energy of people have naturally died in the forest, people that committed suicide, or curious tourists that are interested in dark tourism, murderabilia contributes to the paranormal activity within the forest and adds to the allure, the mystery, the curiosity, obsession people have with Aokigahara forest in Japan.
For anyone that doesn't know murderabilia is associated with true crime, serial killers, items that are associated with both, owned by them, collectors buy/sell items associated with true crime & serial killers.
It is unusual, disturbing that any murderabilia collector would want to take any items that belong to a suicide victim, I think it is disgusting and disrespectful, it makes me feel sick hasn't the person suffered enough?
I genuinely believe that people have experienced something paranormal in Aokigahara forest, it has a eerie, creepy, otherworldly vibe, energy and atmosphere, the silence of the forest is comforting to a lot of people but it's also deathly quiet, like the quietness of a graveyard/cemetery.
There are various people that have encountered spirits, Shinigami Yokai (a demon) in the Aokigahara forest so it makes sense there would be Kaidan (recited ghost stories) of their encounters with the spirits, Shinigami and Yokai.
This book is interesting, informative, it was also creepy, sad and sometimes disturbing to read.
I'm not condoning/advising/encouraging anyone to go to Aokigahara forest in Japan for the purpose of committing suicide, but my book review is about this particular forest that is associated with death, suicide. It is a sensitive topic that should be treated with respect.
I'm not trying to sensationalize Aokigahara forest or make it seem appealing to anyone that is depressed, anxious, mentally ill, vulnerable and sensitive to the energy, presence, influence of spirits, demons such as Yurei, Onryo, Yokai, Shinigami.
Death, suicide, suicide pacts is a sensitive topic that should be treated with respect.
You should respect a person's choice to live and die on their terms, or their choice, reasons or motivations to commit suicide, I don't believe it is a cowardly, or selfish act to commit suicide, I've always believed that it takes a lot of courage to commit suicide, I respect anyone's choice to commit suicide on their own terms, but that is just my opinion.
I'm not going to judge or shame anyone for wanting to live and die on their terms, or their reasons, motivation for committing suicide either, but that is just my opinion.
It is a place of the dead and it should be treated with respect.
This book is about the well-known Japanese Forest Aokigahara A.K.A "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭" or it is also known by various other names but one that is common in Japan in "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬"
Historically & in modern times this Japanese Forest has been/is associated with death, suicide.
In my opinion, at least in modern times I believe that Yurei, Onryo or Yokai are influencing & luring people that are depressed, suicidal, vulnerable spiritually to the forest, where they can never find their way out due to the unusually high level of magnetic activity that affects the use of a compass.
Aokigahara Forest is at the base of Mount Fuji, a volcano in Japan, so this would explain, the terrain of the forest, why it is difficult to traverse, it might also explain the lack of any wildlife, or sounds of wildlife, it has a otherworldly, deathly silence to it, which gives the forest a creepy, atmosphere and vibe.
Historically the Japanese people, were unfortunately unable to afford to take care of their elderly relatives so they lead them out to Aokigahara Forest to fend for themselves, but they obviously sadly died there.
In modern times Aokigahara has gained a lot of controversial and negative attention due to a very disturbing event involving a Youtuber that went to Aokigahara Forest he disrespected, and made fun of a poor Japanese man that had committed suicide in the forest.
I will never understand why some people have absolutely no respect for the dead, especially for anyone that has committed suicide, it is absolutely disgusting.
People should be ashamed of themselves, what is wrong with people?
It was disrespectful to the man that had committed suicide, disrespectful to his family and disrespectful of Japan, Japanese people & their culture, beliefs.
It's sad to me that the concept Shinju (suicide pacts) exists in Japan but at the same time it is not the same as Seppuku (ritualistic suicide) of the Samurai, when they were caught by a rival Shogun, the enemy so they commit Seppuku to avoid being tortured and murdered by the enemy.
So historically Seppuku is a honourable ritualistic suicide & self-sacrifice to show respect and Shinju (suicide pacts) is considered to be impulsive, reckless type of suicide.
Japan is the only country that has a respectful view of suicide, self-sacrifice, ritualistic suicide and it's sad to me that Japanese people remove themselves from society, to go to Aokigahara Forest to commit suicide due to financial issues and loneliness.
Seppuku & Shinju are not the same though, Shinju is not a self-sacrifice type of accepted ritualistic suicide for the greater good in the same way that Seppuku is.
Seppuku is a dignified self-sacrifice/ritualistic suicide and Shinju is more impulsive, reckless and seems like attention seeking type of behaviour in my opinion for a minority of people that are lonely, suicidal but they don't want to die alone so that's why they make the suicide pact with a group of like-minded people.
I respect anyone's decision to live and die on their on terms, I think it takes a lot of courage to commit suicide, to sacrifice yourself on your terms.
I hate the fact that it is sometimes viewed as a cowardly, or selfish act when most people don't understand the pain, trauma, suffering the person was going through in their lives, they want relief from their pain, which is sad to me, but also understandable.
A lot more people should take that into consideration, and treat the person with respect, treat their choice to commit suicide with respect, even if you don't understand their reasons or motivation to commit suicide.
I have always believed that Aokigahara forest has a spiritual, paranormal, occult/witchcraft related otherworldly atmosphere, vibe and energy, so it's interesting that people have seen/heard spirits talking to them, the spirits lured them to the forest where they feel compelled to commit suicide and join the dead.
The story about the man seeing a Shinigami (death god) holding his wife's head was creepy to read. It makes sense why various people have seen Shinigami at the forest, since it is a place of the dead and associated with death, suicide, but due to my interest in true crime I would consider that maybe some of the people that committed suicide were actually potentially murdered and their death was made to look like suicide, since that is a possibility.
There was at least one story about a man that murdered a person and left them in the forest. I think the forest has a negative influence on people, whether you have suicidal or murderous intentions or not, a lot of people are lured to the forest and feel inexplicably compelled to commit suicide.
I believe that Yurei, Onryo, Yokai are luring people to the forest and, the spirits of the elderly people or of people that committed suicide are influencing & compelling people to commit suicide.
I think there is a portal, vortex there, and the combined energy of people have naturally died in the forest, people that committed suicide, or curious tourists that are interested in dark tourism, murderabilia contributes to the paranormal activity within the forest and adds to the allure, the mystery, the curiosity, obsession people have with Aokigahara forest in Japan.
For anyone that doesn't know murderabilia is associated with true crime, serial killers, items that are associated with both, owned by them, collectors buy/sell items associated with true crime & serial killers.
It is unusual, disturbing that any murderabilia collector would want to take any items that belong to a suicide victim, I think it is disgusting and disrespectful, it makes me feel sick hasn't the person suffered enough?
I genuinely believe that people have experienced something paranormal in Aokigahara forest, it has a eerie, creepy, otherworldly vibe, energy and atmosphere, the silence of the forest is comforting to a lot of people but it's also deathly quiet, like the quietness of a graveyard/cemetery.
There are various people that have encountered spirits, Shinigami Yokai (a demon) in the Aokigahara forest so it makes sense there would be Kaidan (recited ghost stories) of their encounters with the spirits, Shinigami and Yokai.
This book is interesting, informative, it was also creepy, sad and sometimes disturbing to read.
I'm not condoning/advising/encouraging anyone to go to Aokigahara forest in Japan for the purpose of committing suicide, but my book review is about this particular forest that is associated with death, suicide. It is a sensitive topic that should be treated with respect.
I'm not trying to sensationalize Aokigahara forest or make it seem appealing to anyone that is depressed, anxious, mentally ill, vulnerable and sensitive to the energy, presence, influence of spirits, demons such as Yurei, Onryo, Yokai, Shinigami.
Death, suicide, suicide pacts is a sensitive topic that should be treated with respect.
You should respect a person's choice to live and die on their terms, or their choice, reasons or motivations to commit suicide, I don't believe it is a cowardly, or selfish act to commit suicide, I've always believed that it takes a lot of courage to commit suicide, I respect anyone's choice to commit suicide on their own terms, but that is just my opinion.
I'm not going to judge or shame anyone for wanting to live and die on their terms, or their reasons, motivation for committing suicide either, but that is just my opinion.
It is a place of the dead and it should be treated with respect.
February 28, 2023
I was so excited to read this book! The Suicide Forest has been a fascination of mine for years and I was pumped to read more about it.
Super disappointed to find out that this is poorly written and contains numerous typos and awkward sentence structures. I couldn’t get past the first 50 pages because it was so freaking distracting. I hope this author invests in a proofreader or editor in the future.
Super disappointed to find out that this is poorly written and contains numerous typos and awkward sentence structures. I couldn’t get past the first 50 pages because it was so freaking distracting. I hope this author invests in a proofreader or editor in the future.
October 22, 2020
Though some of the stories in this book were quiet interesting, I couldn't finish it. There has obviously been no proof reading. I'm sorry, this could have been so much better...
August 10, 2022
A very interesting read!
This book was very informative about the history and legends surrounding Aokigahara Forest, a topic that I have been interested in for a while now. I was completely intrigued and finished it in one sitting! It was a very captivating read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
So why then did I give it a three-star rating? Well, the problem is, I don't think this book was edited. There were many typos and punctuation errors, along with sentence structures that didn't make much sense. There were times that made it difficult to read, but I pushed through that because the topic was interesting.
I would have probably given this a five-star rating if it had been edited because the content was really good! The errors just made for a difficult read.
This book was very informative about the history and legends surrounding Aokigahara Forest, a topic that I have been interested in for a while now. I was completely intrigued and finished it in one sitting! It was a very captivating read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
So why then did I give it a three-star rating? Well, the problem is, I don't think this book was edited. There were many typos and punctuation errors, along with sentence structures that didn't make much sense. There were times that made it difficult to read, but I pushed through that because the topic was interesting.
I would have probably given this a five-star rating if it had been edited because the content was really good! The errors just made for a difficult read.
November 5, 2022
Very interesting, read very short one at that. I must say the book really leaves all the fluff material out which is nice for a change. The book talks about the history and religion beliefs that surround the Sea of Trees. I think it is very important to state that it in no way does it makes light of the subject matter and I personally believe that if someone is struggling with thoughts of suicide this book should be avoided. From a historical and anthropological perspective it is very important look at a difficult subject and how it is regarded in another society prospective other than the western society ideology. I found it eye opening to see how others view the subject in Japan and I learned things about the forest history I was not aware of prior.
October 19, 2023
An extremely short look into some of the myths and stories of people who have taken their lives in the suicide forest. Written almost like an in depth research paper, it presents several accounts of people and their final days. Not quite sure it's entirely based on fact, but it is an enjoyable read for spooky season or around the campfire late one evening.
July 25, 2017
Not what I was expecting, but had some very interesting lore as well as stories of people who have met their fates in the forest that I had never heard before and found to add a very nice human element that is often left out in discussions of the forest.
October 26, 2019
Sad
It's very sad that a beautiful forest is subject to so many deaths, this was informative, beautiful and sad! I love to read about the suicide forest,Haunted objects and most stuff I guess some try to stay away from.
It's very sad that a beautiful forest is subject to so many deaths, this was informative, beautiful and sad! I love to read about the suicide forest,Haunted objects and most stuff I guess some try to stay away from.
October 28, 2020
Read it in one sitting . Not much depth into the subject , half the book is copying diaries of people who " went into the forest and did not return ". Most if the time it felt like I was reading a 9th grade essay .
September 21, 2021
Pretty good book. Would have loved more stories about the forest. Gave it three stars due to typos ( I have no room to talk in this department 🤣 ). I have also read other books that said opposite of what this book said. Overall fast read and interesting.
November 20, 2019
Spooky
I loved this read! Very spooky & interesting! I learned so much about Japanese culture too! I would highly recommend
I loved this read! Very spooky & interesting! I learned so much about Japanese culture too! I would highly recommend
October 22, 2020
Awesome
Sad but informative. I would never go there. Too weird and dark. Not my idea of fun. Nope. :). No
Sad but informative. I would never go there. Too weird and dark. Not my idea of fun. Nope. :). No
December 26, 2020
Interesting stories of the history and myths of Aokigahara. Poorly edited with grammar flaws but overall pretty interesting.
May 25, 2021
A wide insight of the Aokigahara Forest.
A greatly written novel going into detail with the history of the vast and intense forest that lies below Mount Fuji.
A greatly written novel going into detail with the history of the vast and intense forest that lies below Mount Fuji.
February 14, 2020
Interesting
Loads of stories of peoples encounters, explanations of beliefs that the locals have, the society view on suicide and of the apparitions that appear.
Loads of stories of peoples encounters, explanations of beliefs that the locals have, the society view on suicide and of the apparitions that appear.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews