Aokigahara is the famous forest at the northwest base of Mount Fuji in Japan.
Also called the Sea of Trees, it developed on lava flows produced by Mount Fuji’s 864 eruption. The porous volcanic ground creates caves and uneven terrain, while dense vegetation gives parts of the forest a notably quiet and enclosed appearance.
Aokigahara lies within the broader Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Its vegetation includes evergreen trees such as Japanese cypress and Japanese hemlock, along with mosses and other plants growing over volcanic rock. Several lava caves are open to visitors, including the Narusawa Ice Cave and Fugaku Wind Cave.
The forest has acquired a serious and troubling reputation through sensational media coverage. Responsible descriptions should emphasize that it is a protected natural area with trails, wildlife and geological features, not merely a setting associated with tragedy.