Aokigahara, Japan's Suicide Forest

Aokigahara is the second most popular spot for suicides in the world (The first is the Golden Gate Bridge).

Aokigahara Forest lies at the northwest base of Mt. Fuji, less than 100 miles west of Tokyo.

Not only dense shrubbery that makes this place so creepy, but also massive dead bodies, Located at the base of Mt Fuji.

It is a unique forest in many ways; there is barely any wildlife in here, thus it is very quiet, making it a popular destination among locals. However, this quietness hides a more macabre side of it as the Aokigahara is the number one suicide spot for Japanese.

Since the 1950s, Japanese businessmen have wandered in, and at least 500 of them haven't wandered out, at an increasing rate of between 10 and 30 per year. Recently these numbers have increased even more, with a record 78 suicides in 2002.

Due to the vastness of the forest, desperate visitors are unlikely to encounter anyone once inside the so-called "Sea of Trees," so the police have mounted signs reading "Your life is a precious gift from your parents," and "Please consult the police before you decide to die!" on trees throughout.

It is hard to make a profile of the average person, who commits suicide in the forest, but they are usually males between 40 and 50 years, and the biggest month for suicides is March, possibly because March is the end of the fiscal year in Japan. So many people come from all over Japan to end their stressful lives here as they feel it's is the perfect location in which to breathe their last.

Aniva Rock Lighthouse - Sakhalinskaya Oblast, Russia

The Aniva lighthouse was built by the Japanese in 1939, on a chunk of rock off the southern coast of Sakhalin, a thin 950 km long island situated just east of Russia, between the Sea of Japan and Russia’s Sea of Okhotsk. The island was largely uninhabited until the 1800’s, when both Japan and Russia became interested in annexing it; the Russians for use as a penal colony

This lighthouse is one of many that are part of the Polar Nuclear Lighthouses, put along the coast of Russia to help aid in the passage of ships because of Polar Night.

 This one being closer to Japan than anything. They were put along the coast of Russia to help aid in the passage of ships because of Polar Night. Since they could not be crewed or supplied constantly these autonomous nuclear-powered lighthouses were erected. Many think these are radioactive because they were nuclear powered, but there isn’t a clear answer for this.

Now the Aniva lighthouse is abandoned. Its seven stories of diesel engines, accumulator rooms, keeper’s living spaces, radio facilities, storerooms, large clockwork pendulum (for regulating optical system), and 300kg pool of mercury (as a low friction rotation surface for the lens) are still, and echo only with the crash of waves against the surrounding crags. 

Actun Tunichil Muknal ATM, Belize, America

This cave is one of the most popular Mayan burial sites in Western Belize.

The cave was discovered in 1992, and was subsequently featured on the National Geographic Explorer film, Journey through the Underworld. Actun Tunichil Muknal represents one of the most well-preserved examples of pre-classical Mayan culture (around 700 - 900 AD), featuring skeletal remains of human sacrifices and scores of Mayan pottery and other ceremonial objects, The most famous skeleton inside the cave is that of a young girl, the bones of which have been completely covered by the natural processes of the cave, leaving them with a sparkling appearance. The cave itself is several kilometers long with several chambers.

The cave was opened to the public in 2000. In a country not known for protecting its cultural heritage, ATM cave is one of the few protected places, with only a few guides authorized to lead tours of the cave. Be very careful, however, as none of the skeletons or pottery are roped off, and one tourist has already accidentally stepped on and broken one of the skulls.

Once in the caves you will spend several hours swimming, climbing, and exploring. Once in the inner chambers you will take off your shoes and explore in only your socks to prevent damage to the artifacts. This adventure is challenging and a good level of physical fitness is required. The ability to swim is a plus as you will need to cross deep water to enter the cave and will be wading through water several times both inside and outside the caves.