Throwback Files: Suicide Forest
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In this Throwback Files episode, hosts Charissa and Charlie revisit their 2021 episode 'Suicide Forest'—a deep dive into Okuyahara, Japan’s infamous forest near Mount Fuji known for its high suicide rate and paranormal reputation. The episode blends factual reporting with chilling folklore, exploring the forest’s volcanic terrain, the tragic history of ritual abandonment (ubasute), and the belief in vengeful yurei spirits. A harrowing first-person journal entry, though likely fictional, serves as the emotional centerpiece, describing a man’s descent into despair and a supernatural encounter that nearly ends in death. The hosts debate the episode’s believability, ultimately agreeing that while the story may be embellished, the forest’s intense negative energy and history of suffering make it a plausible haunting ground. They reflect on how the episode’s immersive storytelling and atmospheric narration set a new standard for their show, and express a shared desire to visit the forest in person—despite its grim reputation.
Okuyahara Forest is a real national park near Mount Fuji with a documented history of over 500 suicides since the 1950s, prompting local authorities to post suicide prevention signs and deploy therapists.
The forest’s unique environment—hardened lava ground, dense canopy, and sound-absorbing terrain—creates an eerie, isolating atmosphere that amplifies psychological distress.
Japanese folklore of ubasute (abandoning the elderly) and the belief in trapped yurei spirits contribute to the forest’s haunted reputation, with many claiming to hear screams and see ghostly figures.
The episode’s most impactful moment is a fictionalized first-person account of a man’s near-suicide and supernatural encounter, which, while likely not true, powerfully illustrates the forest’s psychological and spiritual weight.
Despite skepticism about supernatural claims, both hosts rate the haunting as 'believable' due to the sheer volume of human suffering and emotional energy concentrated in the forest over centuries.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Throwback Files: Suicide Forest
The hosts introduce the episode as a throwback to their 2021 deep dive into Okuyahara, Japan’s Suicide Forest. They reflect on the episode’s emotional weight, its handling of sensitive topics, and the decision to revisit it after five years. They set the tone with humor and reverence, acknowledging the gravity of the subject while emphasizing their commitment to thoughtful, respectful storytelling.
The Real Forest: Geography, History, and Tragedy
The hosts detail the physical and historical context of Okuyahara Forest—its 30-35 square kilometer size, volcanic lava ground from Mount Fuji’s 864 CE eruption, and the sparse wildlife. They discuss the forest’s reputation as a suicide destination, citing statistics from 2002 to 2010, and explain how local officials now avoid publicizing the numbers to reduce the forest’s notoriety. They also cover the use of plastic tape to mark trails, the presence of therapists instead of rangers, and the annual body searches.
The Haunting: Folklore and the Yurei
The episode shifts to the paranormal, introducing the Japanese concept of ubasute—abandoning the elderly—and its potential spiritual legacy. The hosts explore the belief that these abandoned souls, along with suicide victims, become vengeful yurei spirits trapped in the forest. They describe the traditional appearance of yurei: white kimonos, long black hair, dangling hands, and no visible feet. They discuss how these spirits are said to lure hikers off trails, whisper to them, and even destroy trail markers.
The First-Person Journal: A Haunting Story
“I'm throwing this diary into a small stream that's running next to me in hopes that someone finds it. If someone finds this diary, please recover my body. I don't want to be like them. doomed to wander this forsaken place forever.”
Debating the Believability: Energy, Trauma, and the Supernatural
“I just can't imagine 500 people or more dying in a place and not even, I mean, what could that attract? Like if you believe there are things out there that feed on negative energy, what better place to lurk?”
“I'm throwing this diary into a small stream that's running next to me in hopes that someone finds it. If someone finds this diary, please recover my body. I don't want to be like them. doomed to wander this forsaken place forever.”
“I just can't imagine 500 people or more dying in a place and not even, I mean, what could that attract? Like if you believe there are things out there that feed on negative energy, what better place to lurk?”
“The forest is real. Yes. You're asking me to test if I think it's believable? The believability in this story, it's called the haunting of suicide forest. So the suicide is real. The forest is real. The volcanic ground is real.”
Hosts
Charissa
person
Charlie
person
Okuyahara
place
Mount Fuji
place
Yurei
other
Ubasute
other
Logan Paul
person
Burger King
brand
Princess Diana
person
Cleveland
place
Terrified Together with BonusPac
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Did I See a Griffin | Am I the Haunted?
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Mysterious Feral People
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Owlman of Mawnan
Believing the Bizarre: Paranormal Podcast • 1h 13m • 4/14/2026
Is My Imaginary Friend a Demon | Am I the Haunted?
Believing the Bizarre: Paranormal Podcast • 21m • 4/17/2026
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