The Beauty of Aokigahara

A day trip to the base of Mount Fuji

By Kohl Trimbell

Community writer

Bright bursts of color pop against the rich green mosses

The trees form a natural archway at one point in the forest

In every direction, the ground is a tangled knot of tree roots

Truly evoking the eerily beautiful world of nature at its finest: a sea of trees

Hiking around the woods, it is quiet and damp. Only streaks of sunlight enter through the treetops

At the end of one of the trails in Aokigahara, you can pay less than 300 yen to explore underneath the forest, where an ice cave exists

Inside the ice cave: ice resembling crystal formations surrounding all walls

Be prepared to crouch and crawl in order to see the ice

Underneath the forest, waiting in line for the ice cave entrance

Another view of the line to enter the Narusawa Ice Cave.

Notice

Aokigahara Forest has an unfortunate reputation as a destination for those facing struggle — if this describes you, please consider talking to someone. This is not a recommended tourist destination for those seeking macabre delights.

Latest on Aokigahara Forest

If you love spending time in the woods, hiking Aokigahara should be on your list of must-dos. Sitting at the base of Mount Fuji, the forest is a lush entanglement of tree branches, roots, moss, rock formations and fungi. The only forest to grow on top of lava, the spindly branches and trunks gnarl in directions against gravity. It truly is a beautiful experience that photographs do not fully capture. There is a stillness and quietness that can border on eerie.

Overall, it is an easy hike. Paths are marked clearly. At the end of one trail you can visit the Narusawa Ice Cave (Narusawa Hyoketsu), underneath the forest. It is very inexpensive and the line moves quickly. Deemed a natural refrigerator, the cave requires a short decent down tiny stairs and through several small tunnels. Crouching and crawling are necessary, but once you arrive in the room with the ice, it is quite stunning. The ice blocks shine like crystals. Overhead lights cause a glowing effect and allow for photographs inside the cave. The cave itself is not very big, so with wait time in line, you will only spend about an hour or less for the entirety of this excursion.

There are many other things to do this area, including visiting the lakes that surround Mt. Fuji. Fishing, camping, and canoe rental.