Aokigahara Forest · The Forest Where Compasses Fail

The lava forest at the foot of Mount Fuji. The basalt is rich in magnetism, causing compasses to malfunction; the canopy is so dense that sunlight barely penetrates.

Known as the “Sea of Trees,” it is also one of the sources of Japanese urban legends. A large number of people enter the forest on their own and never emerge, prompting official searches every year.

The most frequently recounted experience is this: once you venture deep inside, sound vanishes—you can shout, and there isn’t even an echo. This is why forest rangers string up ropes and signs at the edge of the forest: Please turn back.

Natural Mysteries / Mount Fuji · Japan / 1960s