The Aokigahara Woodland is formed on the Aokigahara lava flow that was created by the eruption of Mount Nagao and other volcanoes located next to Mount Fuji. Over the course of a thousand and two hundred years, the vegetation on the lava flow has gradually progressed and the woodland which spans an area of 3,000 hectares has eventually been formed; however, the sedimentary soil in the woodland is shallow (about 10cm), therefore trees cannot grow beyond a certain height.
Lake Sai Bat Cave is located at the end of the Aokigahara Woodland. There are Japanese hemlock, Nikko fir, Japanese cypress, Japanese oaks, various types of Japanese maples and other tall and mid height trees. The floor of the woodland is rather dark even in daytime and it is covered with lichens, mosses and ferns. The dominant species are mosses.
The formation of the Aokigahara Woodland and the vegetation surrounding the Bat Cave, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, 8/18/2023
Aokigahara Woodland, Mosses and Lichens, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, 8/18/2023