Aokigahara, Japan

It's a dense forest.It is located on the island of Honshu (Japan), at the foot of Mount Fuji. It is spread over an area of about 35 km2. The soil here consists of very dense volcanic rock, which cannot be processed with a shovel or hoe. The high content of iron ore in the soil does not allow using a compass.

Aokigahara is almost completely covered with hardened lava, which appeared here during the last major eruption of Mount Fuji in 864 AD. The western part of the Aokigahara forest, where there are several caves ("ice" and "wind"), filled with ice in winter, is a popular place for tourists and school excursions. The forest space in these places is very dense, and the porous lava absorbs sound well, contributing to the feeling of complete privacy.

Aokigahara is a national park, on the territory of which there are several hiking trails.

The place is ominous: rocky soil, tree roots entwine rocky debris, there is a "deafening" silence, compasses do not work. And although scientists have (seemingly) found explanations for all these phenomena, the Japanese believe that ghosts live in the forest — the souls of frail old people who were left there to die in times of famine. Therefore, Aokigahara is a popular holiday destination during the day, and at night it is a "haven" for suicides. Books and songs have been written about this place, films have been made, including documentaries.