RE-RELEASE: Sea of Trees: The Japanese Suicide Forest

Ancient History Fangirl

History, Society & Culture

4.5 • 518 Ratings

🗓️ 16 October 2025

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

⁠Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! In this episode, we’ll delve into the mystery of Aokigahara, known in Japanese as the Sea of Trees—and to the rest of the world as the Suicide Forest. After the Golden Gate Bridge, it is the second most popular suicide destination in the world. The forest is over a thousand years old. It grew over lava floes laid down in a devastating volcanic eruption on the slopes of Mt. Fuji, a holy mountain believed to be a gateway to the spirit world. Perhaps this is why it’s said to be the birthplace of the Yurei—a ghost in Japanese folklore created out of deep trauma. It’s no wonder Aokigahara is associated with death. But the forest is also filled with life and incredible natural wonders. Join us as we explore the haunting history and folklore of Aokigahara. Sponsors and Advertising This podcast is a member of Airwave Media podcast network. Want to advertise on our show? Please direct advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to an Airwave Media podcast.
0:04.8	Grownups, if there's a child in your life who is interested in, curious about, or fascinated by people and places from history, then my podcast, the past and the curious, might just be a hit in your home.
0:17.1	From the invention of microscopes to world-traveling dogs to fashions of the 1890s, gold rush ghost towns, and audiences going wild for walking competitions,
0:27.3	we've got a little bit of it all.
0:29.5	Hosted by children's author and museum educator Mick Sullivan, that's me, the show is fun,
0:34.9	funny, engaging, honest, and beloved by kids and parents alike.
0:39.4	Find the past and the curious at all the usual podcast places.
0:44.7	This episode is brought to you by our Patreon members. Thank you so much.
0:49.7	Join our Patreon for extra episodes, interviews, extra content, and to help support the podcast and help us
0:55.9	continue to do the work we do. Go to patreon.com slash ancient history fangirl to learn more.
1:02.7	If I do survive the forest, what am I surviving for? I'm Jen McManamy.
1:22.3	And I'm Jenny Williamson.
1:24.0	And this is Ancient History Fan Girl, the Ancient Mysteries Edition.
1:27.6	Today's mystery starts in a forest on the slopes of a volcano, a haunting place filled with
1:34.6	folklore and mystery.
1:36.5	It began its days as a new growth forest that grew after an epic eruption.
1:41.9	Today, it is known for a darker reason. Today, we're going to talk about
1:46.5	Al-Kihihara, which means the sea of trees in Japanese, and to the rest of the world,
1:52.1	it's known as the suicide forest. And this is your warning. This episode will deal with suicide.
1:59.2	Most of this episode will focus on the ancient roots of this forest,
2:03.2	but some of it will touch on the modern reputation of the sea of trees. If this isn't something
2:07.7	you feel up to listening to, then we'll see you next week. We will have links in the show notes
	...

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