Underneath the dense canopy, shadows dance around the brush. The movement plays tricks on the mind. The familiar sounds of the wind moving through the trees has gradually faded with each step. If one was not paying attention, it may go unnoticed. The light is beginning to fade as an eerie darkness blankets the path. The humming of the cicadas has ceased. The birds have grown silent. The only audible sounds are the crunching of leaves under your feet. When you have reached this realization it may be too late....
Cautionary tales warning of malevolent forces deep within forests span across all continents and cultures. For good reason these stories advise against the dangers of wandering into the woods and all the potential creatures that creep around the darkest corners. Stories of children and unsuspecting adults encountering evil characters, or just plain disappearing, are familiar to the average person. Folklore provides colorful means of driving these themes home to people of all ages. But what if there was some real truth to the stories?
Upon my recent trip to the beautiful country of Japan, I planned my itinerary with a balance of city sightseeing and nature adventures. I mapped out what attractions and temples I wanted to visit, along with picturesque towns and villages that interested me. As a good paranormal researcher always does, I found myself Googling haunted places around the locations on my list. Shockingly, a seemingly serene nature hike turned into a haunted research project that kept me wondering, "What exactly haunts these woods?"
Arashiyama is a bamboo forest located in the heart of Kyoto, Japan. It is widely recognized as one of the most iconic nature preserves in the country. Long before TikTok and Instagram influencers made it "cool," this hike was a favorite among Japanese and foreign tourists. The trunks of the bamboo trees stretch as far as the eye can see, and simply captivate you in a way that can feel otherworldly at times. The calming breezes rock the trunks gently, which can create a very relaxed atmosphere.
The winding paths were thinning out when I arrived around 6pm. I reveled in the idea of soaking in the majestic views pretty much to myself. There was just enough ambient light to create the perfect "Golden Hour" for my many photographs and videos as I followed the trail deeper into the woods. As I got about halfway up the trail, I noticed a cemetery. Not only is this location on the side of a mountain, it was past a long trail that was inaccessible by vehicle. It seemed to be a curious location based on these logistics, but beautiful nonetheless. The entrance to the cemetery was blocked off, so any pictures had to be taken from a distance.
As I made my way further into the woods, I noticed less and less noise as most tourists had exited the trails at this point. The breezes created an eerie lullaby as they caused the elongated bamboo trunks to clink together. It almost felt as if the forest was breathing, as weird as that may sound. It was at this moment that I remembered the haunting tales I had researched online regarding Japanese forest dwelling spirits. In these tales the people believed that many spirits reside in the shadows of the forest. The spirits draw unsuspecting victims further and further into the woods. It is at this point that they can force their victims into spiritual realms where they have no chance of returning. This popular tale is the theme of the well known animated film, "Spirited Away." In the story, a young girl and her parents explore the woods only to stumble upon a hidden city. Once they enter the gates, they discover it is really the entrance to a spiritual realm that they become trapped in. If you have not seen it, you definitely should give it a watch.
Sensing the paranormal is something that has begun to happen to me the further I go down the rabbit hole these days. I do believe that the more you become receptive to the supernatural, the more you pick up on cues of it's existence. Kinda like a "spidey sense" if you will. So when my gut tells me I am not alone, I tend to pay attention. In this case I was noticing signs from the forest that were beginning to make me feel slightly uncomfortable to say the least. I noticed myself looking over my shoulder more and more as I traveled the path. I really had the sense that someone, or something was watching me. Not wanting to leave this to chance, I decided to head back the way I came with a little extra pep in my step.
When reflecting on this experience, I ask myself questions. Could there have been someone following me into the woods causing this feeling of being watched? Could I have been sensing a spirit of the forest? Could the cemetery have something to do with this? Answers I unfortunately do not have. I can only speculate on the root of the paranormal feeling after the fact.
Would I recommend one visit the Arashiyama forest? Hell yes. It's enchanting landscape is breathtaking and full of pure magic. Perhaps some of the components of this magic should be approached by erring on the side of caution. Nature has a beautiful dichotomy of light and dark. One cannot exist without the other. So it may be foolish to dispel the cautionary stories as lore. Perhaps there really is something sinister lurking in the shadows simply waiting to pounce on victims, and spirit them away....
Btw this is @luvlavabeads😉👋
I love that you were smart enough to GTFO when you started feeling them. It sounds freaking beautiful but definitely not somewhere I'd go alone😱
That was fascinating. I love your use of the language. I felt as if I was there with you!
Also, reading "Kinda like a "spidey sense" if you will. So when my gut tells me I am not alone, I tend to pay attention". I get this quite often in my journey in cemeteries and it makes sense - they aren't quiet places as they are busier than many shopping centres of you think about it.... definitely take notice :)