Aokigahara: The Truth Behind Japan's Suicide Forest

If you are interested in creepy and strange stuff from Japan, you've heard of Aoikigahara. If you have any common sense about how strange stuff from Japan is handled in English-language media, you will have wondered whether any of what you've read is true.Much of the information about Aoikigahara that's presented in this book may be disappointingly un-creepy. Expect to find out that improbable-sounding tales are in fact improbable, and expect to spend part of the time learning about the area's interesting geological history and wholesome-sounding nearby tourist attractions and the practical struggles of overburdened locals to deal with the forest's reputation. Because that's the actual truth.Devlin has done a service by digging into the Japanese sources and bringing this information into English. If you enjoy a good debunking, you'll enjoy this book, but it's also not only about telling you that everything you know is wrong. There's plenty of interesting information, like the history of how the forest got its reputation and even a practical description of what to do and what would happen in the - spoiler alert - **extremely** unlikely event that you find a body in the forest. And don't worry, there is definitely some weirdness, and some actually chilling truth - the fact that the cult Aum Shinrikyo had its headquarters in the area is something you wouldn't be able to get away with in fiction.And if you're bummed out in the end because it's all so much less creepy than you thought, go read Devlin's other books. Both her fiction and her books of translated creepypastas and urban legends will make you feel better :)

In the past it’s been difficult to find credible, well-researched information on Aokigahara in English, but Tara A. Devlin has solved this problem. Using Japanese sources, Devlin has provided a thoughtful exploration of Aokigahara both before and after it became infamous as the Suicide Forest. Devlin investigates the geographic and social history of the area, considers how and why it transformed into a suicide destination, and carefully separates fact from fiction, debunking myths that have no basis in truth. Sections on the tourist destinations in and around Aokigahara, Aokigahara in popular culture, and the surprising items left in the forest are also fascinating. While this isn’t meant to be an academic book with detailed citations, Devlin does provide a large and very useful bibliography. In short, this is the book on the Suicide Forest that I’ve been waiting for.

As the title suggests, Aokigahara: The Truth Behind Japan's Suicide Forest is a non-fiction book that looks at Japan's infamous suicide forest. However, it does more than just cover the forest's dark happenings.The book is split into four sections. The first covers the origins of Aokigahara. The second covers what most people are probably reading this book for: how Aokigahara earned the nickname of "suicide forest." This is the longest section within the book. The third goes about demystifying the legends that have sprung up about the forest. It is the shortest section. The final one covers the features that one can find in the forest - both natural and leftovers from the tormented souls that venture within.I quite enjoyed this book. Its short page count, along with breezy prose, makes for a quick read. It also accomplished what it set out to do. Doesn't try to stretch out information to create tension, nor tries to sensationalize Aokighara's darkness. In fact, it was very illuminating how people both in and outside Japan focus on the darker aspects of the forest, forgetting/ignoring that it is more than just a spot where people go to end their lives. It is a forest at the base of Mount Fuji, after all.

Tara A. Devlin has a talent for telling urban legends with all of their intended creepiness, and then following it up with a skeptical look at the origins of those legends, which often turn out to be more interesting as the legends themselves.  In this book, she uses that formula to focus on Aokigahara, the "suicide forest" of Japan.  This well researched work begins with a history of the forest, which explains it's distinctive landscape.  It then goes on to describe the legends about Aokigahara, giving just enough macabre to feed the morbid curiosity of those of us who are horror fans, and then soundly debunking the myths about the forest, all while staying respectful of the topic of suicide, and the trouble that the notoriety of the forest causes the people who live in the surrounding area.   In the end, the truth about Aokigahara, it's tourist spots and unique terrain, make it seem like a place you may want to visit if you ever find yourself in Japan.  Just make sure to stay on the paths...

I really enjoyed this book. I have been curious about the Aokigahara forrest ever since I read about it in Rin Chupeco's, The Suffering. However, I didn't know what was truth and what was rumor/superstition. Tara Devlin does an excellent job explaining the history of the forrest, from how it came to exist, to reasons why it has become a popular suicide spot. She debunks the myths and gives you the facts. This is not a book for people looking for macabre ghost stories, so if that is what you're looking for this book is not for you.

I have been a student of Japanese language, customs, culture, and history for several years now, and it was enjoyable to learn about this famous forest in a no nonsense manner. so often stories about the forest are sensationalized, and I enjoyed this realistic treatment of the topic. Great for those looking for real information on this fascinating subject!

Good information, quick read. Four stars due to the massive amount of repetition and opinion. This guy needed an editor.

A cool-headed look into fascinating legends and true stories of the great green suicide forest.

Brief but informative this gives a nice overview of the history, legends and travel information on a fascinating sounding place.

If you ever wanted to know how the forest was born,how it became the way it is,why it is considered a suicide forest,and what mysteries and legens lie within,Tara has you covered! Great book!

Well articulated and researched. The book is difficult to put down once you get started