Aokigahara Forest Tour: Beauty of Japan’s Mysterious Forest

At the base of Mt. Fuji lies a dense, expansive forest so vast that from above, it resembles an ocean, earning it the nickname “The Sea of Trees.” 

Aokigahara Forest has gained notoriety on social media and in Hollywood films. It is often portrayed as a haunted, scary place linked to many horror films due to its mystery and tragedy. 

However, after living near the base of Mount Fuji’s forest, I’ve had the opportunity to uncover a completely different side of this mystical place through conversations with dedicated nature guides who are working hard to reverse its bleak reputation.

During a hot summer’s day was the first time I entered the forest on an Aokigahara Forest tour. To my surprise, I actually had to put extra layers on. There was no cool breeze, just a sudden drop in temperature with the trees blocking most of the sunlight. It was also eerily quiet; I could immediately understand how people would view this forest as unsettling, even haunted. 

The Untold Story Behind Japan’s Infamous Forest: Aokigahara Forest

According to my nature guide, Aokigahara forest is a relatively young primeval forest by Earth’s standards. He explained to me that this forest was formed by Mt. Fuji’s eruption around 1,200 years ago, when a massive eruption occurred on the north side of the volcano. 

The lava that engulfed the area cooled and hardened, creating volcanic rocks and lava caves, dividing lakes, and destroying the surrounding wildlife. Wind, birds, and animals brought seeds from nearby forests, and over centuries, the forest miraculously began to grow on top of the lava.

The lava beneath the forest floor is the reason for its profound silence. It also explains why compasses fail to work properly here, making navigation difficult and contributing to the myth of people getting lost. At this point, I was feeling extremely grateful for my guide, who effortlessly led me through a forest that looked the same at every turn.

Aokigahara Forest Tour: The True Nature of This Forest

As we continued to walk deeper into the forest, sunlight began to peek through the gaps of the trees, and I started to notice the forest's hidden beauty.

I saw how the long, moss-covered roots of the trees grew above the ground, unable to penetrate the lava beneath them, resulting in fallen trees all over the forest. Moss blanketed the base of the forest, providing a precious water source that the soil fails to offer - my nature guide called it “the cradle of the forest.” 

Small mushrooms grew from fallen trees, nourishing the thin layer of soil below, helping the forest continue to grow.

The quietness that had once seemed eerie began to feel peaceful and less scary. I realised, a young forest trying to survive is nothing to be afraid of. 

A Sacred Power Spot Hidden In a Cave in Aokigahara, Japan

My guide led me to one of the many caves formed by the lava called “Ryugu Cave,” or what locals call the dragon cave, a place revered by locals as a power spot.

Inside Ryugu cave, there was a small shrine dedicated to the ocean goddess, Toyotamahime-no-mikoto. The locals used to pray to her during times of drought, wishing for rain. My guide asked me to cover my ears and listen closely, I could hear the sound of water dripping from the lava rocks. 

Today, Ryugu Cave is a place of peace and reflection, where visitors come to embrace nature’s healing power. Around the forest, people practice shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), a form of meditation that helps individuals escape the stresses of daily life by immersing themselves in nature.

Ryugu Cave or Dragon Cave

I paused for a moment myself, simply listening to the sounds of the forest and inhaling the fresh air. As someone whose life is often filled with the rush of travel and tour guiding, it was a rare, quiet moment to reconnect with nature.

My guide explained that Yamanashi Prefecture, home to Mt. Fuji, seeks to emphasize the forest’s natural beauty and geographic significance, rather than its haunted reputation, in an effort to offer Tokyoites a chance to reconnect with Japan's untouched forests and escape the daily pressures of life. 

Reflecting on Aokigahara Japan: A Forest with Many Stories to Tell 

As I left the forest that day, I couldn’t help but think about how often we judge places, people, or even experiences based on preconceived ideas or urban legends. Aokigahara was one of those places for me. Like many of our initial impressions of Japan, they are quickly proved to be stereotypical or, frankly, incorrect. By venturing out on a tour and hearing from a local, I was able to uncover the true story and undeniable beauty of the forest.

If you’d like to experience Japan beyond the stereotypes, you can start planning your journey with us here.