https://www.youtube.com/embed/WHLHpynLpwA
A couple of years ago I stumbled across a fascinating documentary on YouTube about Aokigahara. Sadly it is a place where many Japanese people go to commit suicide.
When we decided that Japan was going to be part of our trip I had to find a way of getting to Aokigahara. I wanted to see it with my own eyes and experience the aura of the place.
During our time in Aokigahara, we didn’t find anything untoward or anyone in distress but we didn’t wander too far off the track as we knew it would be easy to get lost if you don’t stick to the main paths.
Many people go there to end their lives so you have to respect the place. It does have an atmosphere but it’s also a very beautiful forest to visit regardless of what goes on there.
We took the hop on hop off sightseeing bus to Aokigahara. I can highly recommend doing this. It’s worth planning in advance where you intend to get off along the way. We took one route there and another route back to make sure we made the most of our time.
Blue route.
Red route.
If I remember rightly we bought our tickets on the bus.
We caught the sightseeing bus right outside our hotel and stopped off at a couple of places before we got to Aokigahra.
Lunch – A pork steam bun and rice. Yummy.
Aokigahara
I understand this is a message to people thinking of committing suicide along with a ‘Samaritans’ type helpline you can call.
The Wind Cave is a very popular tourist destination but unfortunately, it was closed.
Heading into the forest.
We emerged out of Aokigahra to this open space. It looked like there was some construction going on here. There was a cafe and a bike hire place so maybe this was set to become another tourist hotspot.
You’re never too far away from a view of Mount Fuji.
Saiko Lake
On the way back we stopped off at Seiko Lake and waited for Mount Fuji to reveal itself from behind the clouds.
A slightly odd group of models opposite our bus stop at Seiko Lake,
This was another superb trip. If you want to see Mount Fuji and you want to see Aokigahra I can highly recommend staying at Kawaguchiko and going on this day trip.